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