Drink Driving Lawyers Caloundra, Sunshine Coast
Getting charged with a drink driving offence can have a significant impact on your life, so speaking with a drink driving lawyer early can help. Parties often worry about losing their licence and potentially their job. The Ferrall and Co. team can help you assess your options and find an appropriate solution.
Drink driving charges in Queensland
Drink driving offences are some of the most common infractions in South-East Queensland. There are five categories that are generally relevant to drink driving:
Low-Range Drink Driving
BAC of .050-0.099
DISQUALIFICATION
1-9 months
MAX FINE
$2,417
MAX PRISON
3 months
Mid-Range Drink Driving
BAC of 0.100-0.149
DISQUALIFICATION
3-12 months
MAX FINE
$3,454
MAX PRISON
6 months
High-Range Drink Driving
BAC of 0.150 or over
DISQUALIFICATION
6-month minimum
MAX FINE
$4,835.60
MAX PRISON
9 months
SPECIFIC CATEGORIES
Learner drivers
Learner drivers are generally required to maintain a zero BAC. If they’re found with a BAC anywhere up to .050, they may face penalties equivalent to a low-range offence.
Failing to Provide a Breath or Blood Specimen
A police officer may subject a party to a breath test to determine if they’re drink driving. A driver may also be required to provide a specimen of saliva to test if there’s a relevant drug present. Refusing to comply with a breath test can have serious consequences. You can face maximum penalties of 6 months imprisonment or 40 penalty units, which amounts to a fine of $6,908 as of 1 July 2026.
Dangerous driving while adversely affected
Dangerous driving can result in serious ramifications. Under Queensland’s criminal code, a party may be charged with:
- Dangerous operation of a vehicle.
- Dangerous operation of a vehicle causing grievous bodily harm.
- Dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death.
Driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the offence can be an aggravating factor that can increase penalties significantly.
Penalties and losing your motor vehicle licence
The Court can implement a range of penalties, depending on the offence. These can include:
Drink driving penalties are set under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 (Qld), and the value of a penalty unit is set under the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 (Qld). The figures in this article are current as of 1 July 2026 and are subject to change. For current penalties and penalty unit values, see the Queensland Government pages on being charged with drink driving and sentencing fines and penalties.
Penalties can increase if there are aggravating factors, such as:
Disqualification
Licence disqualification or suspension.
Fines
Calculated based on penalty units (one penalty unit = $172.70).
Custody
Terms of imprisonment.
AGGRAVATING FACTORS
- Prior offences in traffic history
- Drug driving
- High-speed offence
- Amount of alcohol consumed
The alcohol ignition interlock program
Drink driving offences are some of the most common infractions in South-East Queensland. There are five categories that are generally relevant to drink driving:
Drive with a BAC of 0.10 or more
Failing to give a breath specimen
Dangerous driving while under the influence of alcohol
2 or more drink driving offences in the last 5 years
The interlock device is fitted in your vehicle and requires you to provide a zero-alcohol breath reading to start the engine.
Restricted work licence
The first thing clients often ask our traffic lawyers is whether they’ll be able to keep their licence for work purposes. Some people drive while disqualified and take the risk, but repeat disqualified driving offences can carry harsh penalties.
ELIGIBILITY CHECKLIST
Fit to Drive
You’re fit to drive on a restricted licence, considering the safety of other road users and the public.
Genuine Hardship
You can show that losing your licence would cause you or your family genuine hardship.
Restricted licence applications have strict eligibility criteria. You only have one chance to apply, so a lawyer is important to assist your case.
How Ferrall & Co. help
Traffic law can be very technical. Ferrall and Co.’s traffic offence lawyers can support you during the legal process in various ways.
Having a lawyer can help you understand the court process and prepare your matter.
Our law firm has a free initial consultation available to hear your story.
We can help organise crucial documentation for your court date.
Fixed-fee services make your legal costs predictable.
We can discuss strategies to reduce your sentence, such as enrolment in a rehabilitation program.
Careless driving is often overcharged as dangerous driving. We can work toward appropriate outcomes.
We have traffic and criminal lawyers. We can support you through traffic offences involving criminal law.
Our legal advice is tailored to the personal circumstances surrounding your legal matter.
We can assist you with the proper preparation for licence appeals and other court processes.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only. It is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on your circumstances. You should speak with a lawyer before making decisions about your matter.
Facing a charge in Caloundra?
Our drink driving lawyers can guide you through each stage of your matter with expert care and technical precision.