Have you been charged by Police with a DUI? We can help you! Being charged with a DUI can be a very traumatic experience. For a lot of people, it is their first taste of the criminal justice system and their first time without a driver’s licence. At Powerhouse Law Australia, our drink driving lawyers in Sydney know that your driver’s licence is important to you and that sometimes good people can make bad mistakes. We want to help you get your driver’s licence back sooner!
Sydney Drink Driving Lawyers
Be confident with our Criminal and Traffic Drink Driving Lawyers because we:
If you have been charged with a DUI, contact one of our Sydney Drink Driving Lawyers now on 1800 100 529 and book your first free consultation. Our Sydney DUI Lawyers will help you get your licence back and your life back quickly.
The Legal Limit
The below are the applicable drink driving limits in NSW:
Novice (Zero alcohol reading) – applies to all learners, Provisional 1 and Provision 2 drivers
Special Range (over 0.02) – applies to taxi and bus drivers, vehicles carrying dangerous goods and heavy vehicles
0.05 applies to all other drivers
Low Range PCA is between 0.05 – 0.079
Mid Range PCA is between 0.08 – 0.149
High Range PCA is between 0.15 and above
Refuse Breath Analysis
Factors such as gender, age, body weight, size, health and liver function will affect your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). The rate which alcohol is eliminated from your body varies from person to person. Your blood alcohol concentration will rise for up to 2 hours after drinking.
The only thing that will sober you up is time. Food, coffee, sleep and physical activity do not assist in reducing you blood alcohol concentration to zero.
The Penalties that Apply to Drink Driving
The penalties that apply for drink driving offences in NSW are set out below. However, the law is complex and this table does not apply to your situation. Call us now to see a Sydney Drink Driving Lawyer and get a better understanding of your case.
First offence within 5 years
Offence
Max. fine
Max. gaol (months)
Automatic disq. (months)
Min. disq. (months)
Min Interlock order † and Disq Period (months)
Novice range PCA
$2,200
N/A
6
3
N/A
Special range PCA
$2,200
N/A
6
3
N/A
Low range PCA
$2,200
N/A
6
3
N/A
Mid range PCA
$2,200
9
12 #
6
12
Disq Period: Min: 3 Max: 6
High range PCA*
$3,300
18
3 years #
12
24
Disq Period: Min: 6 Max: 9
* If you refuse or fail to provide a breath test this is treated as a high range PCA, and the same penalties will apply. †This is the minimum period the court can impose. If you choose not to do the interlock program, or don’t complete it, you can be disqualified for 5 years from the date you were convicted. # If an interlock order is imposed a maximum, rather than ’automatic’ (default) disqualification period applies.
Second alcohol-related major offence within 5 years
Offence
Max. fine
Max. gaol (months)
Max. disq. (months)
Min. disq. (months)
Min Interlock order † and Disq Period
Novice range PCA
$3,300
N/A
Unlimited
6
12
Disq Period: Min: 1 Max: 3
Special range PCA
$3,300
N/A
Unlimited
6
12
Disq Period: Min: 1 Max: 3
Low range PCA
$3,300
N/A
Unlimited
6
12
Disq Period: Min: 1 Max: 3
Mid range PCA
$3,300
12
3 years (auto)
12
24
12
Disq Period: Min: 6 Max: 9
High range PCA*
$5,500
24
5 years
2 years
48
Disq Period: Min: 9 Max: 12
# An offence will be a ‘second offence’ if you have been convicted for another ‘alcohol-related major offence’ in the last 5 years. For example, if you are convicted of a low range PCA offence, and then 3 years later you are convicted of a mid-range PCA offence, the penalties you could get will be for a mid-range 2nd offence in the table.
Mandatory Alcohol Interlock
An interlock is an electronic breath testing device that is connected to your vehicle which has the ability to stop it from starting if it detects alcohol.
If you are convicted of mid range, repeat or more serious drink driving offences, the court will make a mandatory interlock order on your drivers licence. For more information on the interlock program, watch the video below or click here.
If you are convicted of a Middle Range PCA offence, and it is your first offence, the court may not make an interlock order against you (this is called an interlock exemption order) if you prove that:
the order would cause you severe hardship, and
an interlock exemption order is more appropriate in all the circumstances.
The Facts about Drink Driving
Driving drunk is a major factor in fatal crashes in NSW and contributes to about 100 deaths each year. Most crashes occur in the driver’s local area and men account for about 87% of those crashes.
Getting Home Safely After Drinking
Get a friend or relative to give you a lift home
Catch a taxi or share one with friends
Plan ahead and arrange overnight accommodation
Catch public transport or walk if your home is close by
The Effects of Alcohol
Makes you feel sleepy and fatigue
Reduces your ability to judge other cars around you, people on the road and how fast you are driving
Slows how the brain functions and reduces your reaction time
Gives you false confidence
Affects your balance and therefore motorcycle drivers are at greater risk of a crash
Contact our lawyers today if you have been charged with driving under the influence, drink driving or drug driving. Let us help you get the best outcome. You may also be interested in our traffic law and drivers licence suspension services.
Our DUI lawyers Sydney are located in Sydney Downing Centre, Parramatta, Penrith, Blacktown, Bankstown, Burwood, Campbelltown and more.
Want to achieve the best results now?
Meet with one of specialist drink driving lawyers. Simply fill in the contact form or call us now on 1800 100 529 and a Specialist Drink Driving Lawyer will be on contact with you straight away.
During your first consultation, we will listen to what you want, explain your case in detail, advise you on your options and make recommendations on how to best assist you in this difficult time. We will also provide you with an estimate for the professional work that is needed for your case.