New Anti-hooning legislation
The Northern Territory Government is getting hoons off our streets.
New anti-hooning laws mean that if you’re caught hooning on Territory roads and in public places you could lose your car and your cash.
- First Offence: Police can immediately impound your car for 48 hours every time you are detected hooning and you can be fined $220.
If you are caught hooning again within a two year period:
- Second offence: The court can impound your car for a further period of between three to six months and you can receive a fine of up to $2200 or 12 months imprisonment.
- Third offence: The court can forfeit and dispose of your vehicle and you can also receive a fine of up to $2200 or 12 months imprisonment.
What do the police classify as hooning?
A hooning offence is:
- Participating in unauthorised street races and speed trials
- Burnouts
- Damaging the surface of a road or public place
Do I have to be caught in the act by police?
No. The Police can issue you with an infringement notice or summons, and impound your vehicle for 48 hours in response to a written complaint from a member of the public.
Will I get a warning in the first instance?
No. Police can impound your car on the spot for 48 hours for your first offence.
Will I get a fine as well?
Yes you will be fined $220.00 plus a $10.00 victims levy and you will be billed for the cost of removing, transporting and storing your impounded vehicle.
How soon after I’m caught will the police take my vehicle?
Immediately. Your car will be impounded by police on the spot.
What if I think the police are being unfair?
The 48 hour impoundment by police must be reviewed by a senior police officer within 24 hours of the senior officer receiving the impoundment notice to ensure there are reasonable grounds for impoundment.
What if someone else was driving my car without my knowledge?
If it is a first offence, contact the police and request to speak to the senior police officer on duty. They will discuss your options with you.
If it is a second offence and the court is satisfied that you were not aware your car was being used for hooning it can order your vehicle be returned to you and can impose a punishment on the driver as it sees fit. This may include fines or a community work order.
What if I get caught for a second offence but I need the car for work?
If the court is satisfied that impounding or forfeiting the vehicle will cause severe financial or physical hardship, it can order that the vehicle be returned to the owner. The court will then impose such a punishment on you as it considers appropriate. This may include fines or a community work order.
Can I take the sound system out before my vehicle is impounded?
No. It is an offence to strip, sell or otherwise interfere with a vehicle used in a hooning offence before an impounding or forfeiture order is made.
What if I want to sell the car while I’m waiting for my case to go to court?
If you have committed a second or subsequent hooning offence you cannot sell your car while you are waiting for the court to hear your case. The Registrar of Motor Vehicles is prevented from cancelling or transferring your vehicle registration while the court waits to consider an impoundment, or forfeiture order.
I’m safe because my car is loud, but I’m not a hoon.
Think again. Police can direct anyone responsible for excessive noise caused by a vehicle to immediately stop the noise. That applies to noise caused by an engine or stereo. If you don’t respond immediately to the police request, you will be issued with an on-the-spot fine of $200.00.
How can I complain about hoons or loud vehicles?
Contact the Northern Territory Police 24 hours a day on 131 444.
For more information contact: Department of Planning and Infrastructure - Transport Safety
DARWIN:
GPO Box 2520
DARWIN NT 0801
Ph: 08 8924 7019
Fax: 08 8924 7077
ALICE SPRINGS:
PO Box 2130
ALICE SPRINGS NT 0871
Ph: 08 8951 5354
Fax: 08 8951 5151
Email: roadsafety@nt.gov.au