Dealer stock register in the NT: the dealings register
Northern Territory licensed motor vehicle dealers must maintain a dealings register under section 157 of the Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading Act 1990 and enter their dealings in it under section 158. Registers are numbered and issued to the dealer by the Commissioner, at $94 per register on the NT Government’s fee table.
- Sections 157 and 158 of the Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading Act 1990.
- Each register is numbered and provided by the Commissioner; the fee table lists $94 per register.
- Details go in the form approved by the Commissioner.
- Infringement notices of 5 penalty units apply for failing to maintain the register and for failing to enter dealings.
Which law applies
Part 10 of the Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading Act 1990 licenses motor vehicle dealers. Section 157 requires a licensed dealer to maintain a dealings register and section 158 sets out the details to be entered. NT Consumer Affairs and Licensing NT administer it.
Getting a register
The Commissioner assigns a number to each dealings register provided to a dealer. The NT Government’s fee table for keeping your licence current lists the dealers dealing register at $94 per register. Check the financial year that fee applies to with NT Consumer Affairs.
What to record
A 2021 amendment changed section 158 so that details are entered in a form approved by the Commissioner, rather than a list in the regulations. We couldn’t confirm the current field list from official sources, so use the approved form and check with NT Consumer Affairs. As a guide, the dealer’s licence number and the register number assigned by the Commissioner were among the prescribed details. The NT contract for the sale of a second-hand vehicle also refers to the dealings register.
Deadlines, electronic records and retention
We couldn’t confirm an entry deadline, whether the register can be kept electronically, or how long to keep it. Check with NT Consumer Affairs. Separately, you must file a notice of disposal with the Motor Vehicle Registry within 14 days of each sale.
Penalties and inspection
| Offence | Infringement penalty |
|---|---|
| Failing to maintain a dealings register (s 157(1)) | 5 penalty units |
| Failing to enter dealings in the register (s 158(1)) | 5 penalty units |
These infringement amounts come from 2002 regulations; confirm they’re current with NT Consumer Affairs, along with who can inspect the register. Licensing is covered in our NT car dealer licence guide.
Consignment
We couldn’t confirm consignment-specific register entries in the NT. Check with NT Consumer Affairs before taking cars on consignment.