Every NSW drink and drug driving offence in one place — fines, disqualification periods, jail exposure and interlock rules, with links to the full detail on each offence.
NSW drink driving offences are governed by the Road Transport Act 2013, with core penalty provisions found in section 110 (PCA offences), section 111 (drug presence), section 111A (combined drink and drug), and section 112 (driving under the influence). Penalties scale with the seriousness of the reading and whether you have a prior offence within the last 5 years.
One NSW penalty unit is currently $110 under section 17 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999. So a maximum penalty of "30 penalty units" equals $3,300, and "50 penalty units" equals $5,500.
| Offence | BAC / Basis | Max Fine (1st) | Max Jail (1st) | Auto Disqual. (1st) | Interlock (1st) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novice / Special Range | 0.00–0.049 | $1,100 | None | Min 3 months | No |
| Low Range PCA | 0.05–0.079 | $2,200 | None | 3–6 months | No |
| Mid Range PCA | 0.08–0.149 | $2,200 | 9 months | 12 months | Yes — 12 mo min |
| High Range PCA | 0.15+ | $3,300 | 18 months | 3 years | Yes — 24 mo min |
| Drug Driving (presence) | Detectable illicit drug | $2,200 | None | 6 months | No |
| Combined Drink & Drug | PCA + drug present | Per PCA range + | Per PCA range | Per PCA range | Per PCA range |
| Driving Under the Influence (DUI) | Observed impairment | $3,300 | 18 months | 3 years | Yes |
Second and subsequent offence penalties are substantially higher across every category — see each individual offence page and our Repeat Offenders guide for full detail.
From Low Range PCA to DUI, a well-prepared court submission is the single biggest factor within your control. Let’s build yours.
BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) refers to the actual reading. PCA (Prescribed Concentration of Alcohol) is the legal term used in the Road Transport Act 2013 to describe the offence of driving with a BAC above the limit that applies to you.
One NSW penalty unit is currently $110, set under section 17 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 and unchanged since 1 July 2023. Fines throughout the Road Transport Act are frequently expressed as a number of penalty units.
A second or subsequent High Range PCA offence and a second or subsequent DUI (driving under the influence) offence carry the harshest penalties — up to 2 years imprisonment, a $5,500 fine, and an automatic 5-year disqualification.
No. Novice, Special and (first) Low Range PCA offences, and drug presence offences, can often be resolved with an on-the-spot penalty notice and administrative suspension, avoiding court and a criminal conviction. Mid Range, High Range, DUI, combined offences, and any repeat offence must go to court.
No. NSW does not offer any form of work licence, hardship licence, or restricted licence for drink or drug driving offences. Disqualification periods must be served in full, or an interlock licence may be available where an interlock order has been made.
Under section 9 of the Road Transport Act 2013, any further alcohol or drug driving offence committed within 5 years of a previous one counts as a second or subsequent offence — even if the earlier offence was resolved by penalty notice rather than in court.