Everything you need to know about a Low Range PCA charge in New South Wales — the BAC threshold, on-the-spot fines, court penalties, and your options including a Section 10 dismissal.
Low Range PCA (Prescribed Concentration of Alcohol) is charged under section 110(3) of the Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW). It applies when a driver holding a full, unrestricted NSW licence records a breath or blood alcohol reading of 0.05 to 0.079.
It is the least serious PCA category available to full licence holders, but it still carries real consequences — an immediate licence suspension, a fine, and (for repeat offences) a mandatory alcohol interlock order.
Low Range PCA only applies to holders of a full, unrestricted NSW driver licence. Learner and provisional (P1/P2) drivers, and drivers subject to a zero or 0.02 alcohol limit (taxi, bus, heavy vehicle drivers), fall under the Novice or Special range instead, which carry a lower 0.00–0.049 threshold.
For a first Low Range PCA offence, NSW Police have discretion to deal with the matter by way of an on-the-spot penalty notice rather than a court attendance notice. This involves:
A penalty notice is not available for a second or subsequent Low Range PCA offence — those matters must proceed to court.
| Offence | Max Fine | Disqualification | Interlock |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st offence | $2,200 | Automatic 3–6 months (min 3 months) | Not mandatory |
| 2nd+ offence (within 5 yrs) | $3,300 | Set with interlock order | Mandatory — min 12 months |
No term of imprisonment applies to Low Range PCA at any offence level. The primary consequences are financial and the loss of your licence.
Low Range PCA offers the strongest prospects of any drink driving charge for a Section 10 dismissal under the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999. If granted, you avoid a criminal conviction, a fine, and a licence disqualification entirely.
Courts consider your character and antecedents, the objective seriousness of the reading, any extenuating circumstances, and any other matter properly relevant (such as employment hardship). You are not automatically entitled to a Section 10 — it must be argued with supporting evidence.
Under section 203 of the Road Transport Act 2013, you cannot receive a second Section 10 for an applicable drink or drug driving offence within 5 years of a prior Section 10 for such an offence. If you have already received a Section 10 for a similar matter recently, this option is closed to you.
Even a Low Range PCA charge carries a fine, a licence suspension, and a possible criminal conviction. A well-prepared court submission gives you the best chance of a lenient outcome, including a Section 10 dismissal.
Low Range PCA applies to a blood or breath alcohol concentration of 0.05 up to (but not including) 0.08. It applies to any driver holding an unrestricted (full) NSW licence. Learner, provisional and special category drivers face the lower Novice or Special range limits instead.
Yes, for a first offence only. NSW Police can issue a penalty notice of $603 together with an immediate 3-month licence suspension. This does not result in a criminal conviction and the matter does not go to court unless you elect to challenge it.
For a first offence, the maximum court penalty is a $2,200 fine and an automatic disqualification of 3–6 months (minimum 3 months). No mandatory interlock applies to a first Low Range offence. For a second or subsequent offence within 5 years, the maximum fine rises to $3,300 and a mandatory alcohol interlock order applies.
Low Range PCA offers the best prospects of any drink driving charge for a Section 10 dismissal under the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, particularly for first-time offenders with strong character evidence, genuine remorse, and no prior Section 10 for an applicable offence within the preceding 5 years.
No. NSW does not offer a work licence or hardship licence for PCA offences. The only way to avoid a full disqualification period is a successful Section 10 application. Otherwise, the disqualification period must be served in full.
If dealt with by penalty notice, no — it appears only on your traffic record. If you are convicted in court (i.e. not granted a Section 10), a criminal conviction is recorded, which may need to be disclosed for certain jobs, licences and overseas visa applications.