Over the limit.Licence on the line.Act now.
Drink and drug driving lawyers with 19+ years' experience, appearing in Magistrates Courts across Queensland. Work licence applications, plea preparation and representation from Coolangatta to Thursday Island.
Type any town in Queensland, or pick a region.
Offences, penalties and licences
Go straight to the Queensland drink and drug driving topic you need. These guides cover offences, penalties, licences and the Magistrates Court process.
Charges we defend
Drink driving
General, middle and high alcohol limit charges under s 79 of the TORUM Act.
Read moreDrug driving
Relevant drug present in blood or saliva under s 79(2AA), including roadside saliva tests.
Read moreWork licence (s 87)
Applying for a restricted licence. The application must be made at the proceedings, before disqualification is ordered.
Read moreNo conviction recorded
Asking the Magistrate to exercise the discretion not to record a conviction under s 12 of the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992.
Read moreQueensland alcohol limits
No alcohol
more than 0Learner, probationary, provisional and unlicensed drivers (s 79(2A)), and drivers of trucks, buses, dangerous goods and other listed vehicles (s 79(2B), (2C))
Max (first offence): s 79(2A) or (2B): 20 penalty units or 3 months imprisonmentGeneral
0.050 or moreAll drivers, s 79A(2)
Max (first offence): s 79(2): 20 penalty units or 3 months imprisonmentMiddle
0.100 or moreAll drivers, s 79A(2A)
Max (first offence): s 79(1F): 28 penalty units or 6 months imprisonmentHigh
0.150 or moreAll drivers, s 79A(3)
Max (first offence): Presumed under the influence, s 79(3); s 79(1): 40 penalty units or 9 months imprisonmentSource: Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 (Qld) s 79A (limits) and s 79 (offences, maximum penalties for a first offence). Readings are grams of alcohol in 210 L of breath or 100 mL of blood.
From charge to court date
Check your notice to appear
It shows the charge, the section of the TORUM Act and your first date at Beaudesert Magistrates Court.
Call before court
Call 1300 941 900. If you need a work licence, the s 87 application has to be ready for the day you are dealt with.
Build the material
Employer affidavit, your own affidavit, references and driving history, prepared in the approved form.
Before the Magistrate
We appear for you, make the submissions and, where it applies, run the s 87 application before disqualification is ordered.
Watch real QLD cases explained
Joshua Boorman talks through real drink and drug driving matters in Queensland Magistrates Courts: the charge, how the case was prepared and what the Magistrate had to weigh. Press play, then choose any video from the playlist menu in the player. New videos appear here automatically as they are added on YouTube. Every case turns on its own facts.
Open the QLD DUI Matters playlist on YouTube
Visit the Boorman Lawyers YouTube channel
Common questions
When do I apply for a work licence in Queensland?
Under s 87(2) of the TORUM Act the application must be made at the proceedings where you are convicted and, if the court is ordering disqualification, before it makes that order. It cannot be made later.
Can a Magistrate decide not to record a conviction?
Yes. Section 12 of the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 gives the court a discretion. It must consider the nature of the offence, your character and age, and the impact a conviction would have on you.
Which courts do you attend in Queensland?
We represent clients at Magistrates Courts across Queensland, from city courts to regional and circuit locations. Use the court finder to see your court.
Do I have to go to court?
In most drink and drug driving matters you must attend court on the date in your paperwork unless the court excuses you. Call us before the date and we will tell you what applies to your matter.