QLD · Laws & Offences Guide

QLD Drink & Drug Driving
Laws & Offences Explained

BAC limits, drink driving offences, drug driving charges, licence disqualification, and the Work Licence — all explained in plain English so you know exactly where you stand in Queensland.

Plain English explanations QLD-specific laws only Updated for 2025–26 General information — not legal advice

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Select the offence or area of law that applies to your situation in Queensland

Low-Range Drink Driving
(BAC 0.05–<0.10)

Most common QLD drink driving offence. Fine and 1–9 month disqualification for first offenders.

Mid-Range Drink Driving
(BAC 0.10–<0.15)

More serious offence with higher fines and longer disqualification. Interlock may be ordered.

High-Range Drink Driving
(BAC 0.15+)

Most serious BAC range. Largest fines, longest disqualification, interlock mandatory in most cases.

Zero Alcohol Limit
(L/P-plates & Professionals)

Learner, provisional, and certain professional licence holders must record 0.00. Any reading is an offence.

Drug Driving
Offences QLD

Saliva test detects THC, MDMA, methamphetamine. Presence of relevant drug is an offence — no impairment needed.

Driving Under the
Influence (DUI)

Separate, more serious offence — proven by observable impairment rather than a breath or saliva reading.

Drink Driving
Penalties Table QLD

Full breakdown of fines (penalty units), disqualification periods, and interlock requirements by range.

Alcohol Ignition
Interlock QLD

Which offences trigger mandatory interlock, how the scheme works, and how to get your licence restored.

Work Licence
(Restricted Work Licence)

Keep driving to work during your disqualification period. Must be applied for at sentencing — strict eligibility rules.

Licence Disqualification
Periods QLD

Minimum and maximum disqualification periods for all drink and drug driving offences — first and repeat offenders.

Repeat Drink Driving
Offenders QLD

Second and subsequent offences — significantly harsher fines, longer bans, and mandatory interlock periods.

0.05
Legal BAC limit
for open-licence drivers
1–9
Month disqualification
for low-range first offence
3
BAC offence ranges:
Low, Mid & High
$330
Get the QLD Program
and walk in prepared

QLD Drink Driving Penalties at a Glance

First offences only — repeat offenders face higher penalty units and longer mandatory disqualification

Offence Range Max Fine Disqualification Interlock
Low-Range (0.05–<0.10) Low 14 penalty units
≈ $1,892
1–9 months Not required
Mid-Range (0.10–<0.15) Mid 40 penalty units
≈ $5,380
3–12 months Possible
High-Range (0.15+) High 60 penalty units
≈ $8,100
6+ months Mandatory
Drug Driving (Presence) Drug 14 penalty units
≈ $1,892
1–9 months Not required
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Serious 60+ penalty units
or imprisonment
6+ months Mandatory

* Penalties are approximate — penalty unit values are adjusted annually. Fines shown are maximums for first offences in the Magistrates Court. Actual outcomes vary by BAC, criminal history, and mitigating factors. This is general information only — not legal advice.

Need to Keep Driving
for Work?

Queensland is one of the only states in Australia with a dedicated Work Licence — a court order that lets you keep driving to and from work during your disqualification period. But it's not automatic, and you must apply for it at the time of sentencing.

To be eligible, you need to meet strict criteria. If your livelihood genuinely depends on your licence, failing to apply — or applying without proper preparation — could mean losing your job and income for months.

Your employment genuinely requires you to drive
Charged with a drink driving offence (not DUI or drug driving alone)
First offence (or meeting specific repeat-offender criteria)
Must apply at sentencing — no second chances
Check Work Licence Eligibility →

The QLD Work Licence Program

Covers both the guilty plea AND your Work Licence application — affidavit, employer letter, and submissions all in one structured program.

1
Check your eligibility with the built-in questionnaire
2
Complete your onboarding — personal, employment & licence details
3
AI generates your applicant affidavit and employer affidavit
4
Receive oral and written plea submissions for the guilty plea hearing
5
Walk into the Magistrates Court fully prepared
Get the Work Licence Program — $440 → QLD Plea Only — $330 →

One-time payment · 180-day access · No subscription

Preparation is the Only Thing
You Can Still Control

You can't change what happened. But you can control how you present yourself to the magistrate — your remorse, your character, your circumstances, and why you deserve the best possible outcome. The QLD programs give you everything you need to do that.

One-time payment · 180-day access · General information only, not legal advice

How the QLD Programs Work

From purchase to walking into the Magistrates Court — a structured system that covers every step, including your Work Licence application if needed.

01

Answer Your Questionnaire

Answer structured questions about your charge, employment, personal circumstances, and Work Licence eligibility (if applicable). Takes 20–30 minutes.

02

AI Builds Your Documents

The AI generates your oral plea submissions, written submissions, and — for the Work Licence program — your applicant affidavit and employer affidavit template, all tailored to your facts.

03

Walk Into Court Ready

Use your checklist, character references, affidavits, and submissions on the day. Know exactly what to say, when to say it, and what the magistrate needs to hear for the best possible outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

For open (unrestricted) licence holders in Queensland, the legal BAC limit is 0.05. Learner and provisional licence holders, and holders of certain professional licences (including truck, bus, and taxi drivers), must have a BAC of 0.00 — any reading above this is an offence. The three drink driving ranges in QLD are: Low (0.05–<0.10), Middle (0.10–<0.15), and High (0.15 and above).
A Work Licence (Restricted Work Licence) is a court order that allows an offender who has been disqualified from driving to continue driving for work purposes during the disqualification period. To apply, you must make the application at the time of sentencing in the Magistrates Court. You must satisfy the court that your employment genuinely requires you to drive, and you need supporting evidence including an affidavit from yourself and usually one from your employer. The QLD Work Licence Program walks you through the entire application process.
QLD Police roadside saliva tests detect three substances: THC (cannabis), MDMA (ecstasy), and methamphetamine (speed/ice). The offence in Queensland is based on the presence of the drug — you do not need to be visibly impaired for charges to be laid. A positive result leads to a secondary oral fluid test and, if confirmed, a blood test. If the blood test is also positive, you will receive a notice to appear in court and your licence will typically be immediately suspended.
Yes. You have the right to represent yourself in the Queensland Magistrates Court. Many drink and drug driving matters — particularly first offences — are handled by self-represented defendants. The key is preparation. Magistrates are experienced in dealing with self-represented parties, and a well-prepared submission with strong character references and genuine remorse can significantly affect the outcome. The QLD Plea and Work Licence programs provide all the tools you need to prepare properly.
No. The DIY DUI Method provides general information and court preparation guidance only. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create a solicitor-client relationship. If your matter is complex, involves serious aggravating factors, or you are unsure whether to plead guilty, you should seek independent legal advice from a qualified solicitor. The programs are designed for straightforward guilty plea matters.