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Drink Driving Penalties NSW


This page outlines the maximum penalties for all drink driving charges in N ew South Wales.  It also contains details as to what the minimum and automatic periods of disqualifications for all drink driving offences in NSW.

Regardless of the seriousness of a drink driving charge it is open to a court not to impose any penalty but dismiss the charge under section 10 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure Act).  If an order is made under section 10 there is no criminal conviction recorded and no disqualification or fine imposed.

Low, Novice or Special Range PCA
Penalty First offence Second or subsequent offence
Infringement Notice Fine $561 N/A
Maximum fine $2,200 $3,300
Maximum imprisonment N/A N/A
Mandatory Interlock offence? No Yes
Maximum disqualification with interlock NA 3 months
Minimum disqualification with interlock NA 1 month
Minimum interlock period N/A 12 months
Automatic disqualification if no interlock 6 months 12 months
Minimum disqualification if no interlock 3 months 6 months
Immediate licence suspension Discretionary Discretionary
Mid Range PCA
Penalty First offence Second or subsequent offence
Maximum fine $2,200 $3,300
Maximum imprisonment 9 months 12 months
Mandatory Interlock offence? Yes Yes
Maximum disqualification with interlock 6 months 9 months
Minimum disqualification with interlock 3 months 6 months
Minimum interlock period 12 months 2 years
Automatic disqualification if no interlock 12 months 3 years
Minimum disqualification if no interlock 6 months 12 months
Immediate licence suspension Yes Yes

 

High Range PCA
Penalty First offence Second or subsequent offence
Maximum fine $3,300 $5,500
Maximum imprisonment 18 months 2 years
Mandatory Interlock offence? Yes Yes
Maximum disqualification with interlock 9 months 12 months
Minimum disqualification with interlock 6 months 9 months
Minimum interlock period 2 years 4 years
Automatic disqualification if no interlock 3 years 5 years
Minimum disqualification if no interlock 12 months 2 years
Immediate licence suspension Yes Yes

Refuse Breath Analysis

Penalty First offence Second or subsequent offence
Maximum fine $3,300 $5,500
Maximum imprisonment 18 months 2 years
Mandatory Interlock offence? Yes Yes
Maximum disqualification with interlock 9 months 12 months
Minimum disqualification with interlock 6 months 9 months
Minimum interlock period 2 years 4 years
Automatic disqualification if no interlock 3 years 5 years
Minimum disqualification if no interlock 12 months 2 years
Immediate licence suspension Yes Yes

 

DUI
Penalty First offence Second or subsequent offence
Maximum fine $3,300 $5,500
Maximum imprisonment 18 months 2 years
Mandatory Interlock offence? Yes (if under the influence of alcohol) Yes (if under the influence of alcohol)
Maximum disqualification with interlock 9 months 12 months
Minimum disqualification with interlock 6 months 9 months
Minimum interlock period 2 years 4 years
Automatic disqualification if no interlock 3 years 5 years
Minimum disqualification if no interlock 12 months 2 years
Immediate licence suspension Yes Yes

Definition of Drink Driving Terms

Automatic period of disqualification: This is the period of disqualification that you can expect a court to impose for a drink driving charge.

Major offence includes the following offences (uncommon offences not included):

Minimum period of disqualification: This is the minimum period of disqualification that a court can impose for a drink driving charge.

PCA stands for prescribed concentration of alcohol.

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