Drink Driving Charges in NSW
In NSW, police have the powers to stop drivers at random to test for alcohol consumption. If you are asked by police to undertake a breath test and subsequently obtain a reading that is higher that your allowed Prescribed Concentration of Alcohol (PCA) limit, you are likely to be arrested and charged with one of the following:
Low Range PCA: 0.05 - 0.08
Mid Range PCA: 0.08 - 0.15
High Range PCA: 0.15 or higher
Novice Range PCA: 0.00 - 0.02
Special Range PCA: 0.02 - 0.05
Refuse Breath Analysis
Drink Driving Penalties in NSW
The following tables outline the penalties relating to the common Drink Driving charges:
Low Range PCA
| # Offences |
Fine |
Prison |
Licence Disqualification |
|
|
|
Minimum |
Maximum |
| 1st Offence |
$1100 |
Nil |
3 months |
6 months |
| 2 or more |
$2200 |
Nil |
6 months |
12 months |
Mid Range PCA
| # Offences |
Fine |
Prison |
Licence Disqualification |
|
|
|
Minimum |
Maximum |
| 1st Offence |
$2200 |
9 months |
6 months |
12 months |
| 2 or more |
$3300 |
12 months |
12 months |
5 years |
High Range PCA
| # Offences |
Fine |
Prison |
Licence Disqualification |
|
|
|
Minimum |
Maximum |
| 1st Offence |
$2200 |
18 months |
12 months |
3 years |
| 2 or more |
$3300 |
2 years |
2 years |
5 years |
Novice Range PCA
| # Offences |
Fine |
Prison |
Licence Disqualification |
|
|
|
Minimum |
Maximum |
| 1st Offence |
$1100 |
Nil |
3 months |
6 months |
| 2 or more |
$2200 |
Nil |
6 months |
12 months |
Special Range PCA
| # Offences |
Fine |
Prison |
Licence Disqualification |
|
|
|
Minimum |
Maximum |
| 1st Offence |
$1100 |
Nil |
3 months |
6 months |
| 2 or more |
$2200 |
Nil |
6 months |
12 months |
Refuse Breath Analysis
| # Offences |
Fine |
Prison |
Licence Disqualification |
|
|
|
Minimum |
Maximum |
| Minor |
$1100 |
nil |
- |
- |
| 1st Offence |
$3300 |
18 months |
12 months |
3 years |
| 2 or more |
$5500 |
2 years |
2 years |
5 years |
The penalties for drink driving are severe and the subsequent impact on your life can be significant. If you have been charged with a drink driving related offence you should engage expert legal assistance. With their extensive experience in defending against drink driving charges, Benjamin and Robinson Solicitors will help lessen the burden of this unfortunate experience. Contact a drink driving lawyer on (02) 9547 1733.