Queensland drink driving penalties depend on your blood alcohol concentration, whether it is a first offence, and the type of licence you hold. Here is what to expect.
Queensland law creates three BAC ranges for drink driving: low range (0.05 to below 0.10), middle range (0.10 to below 0.15), and high range (0.15 and above). Penalties increase significantly across these ranges, and a second or subsequent offence within five years attracts much heavier consequences than a first offence.
For a first offence in the low range, the maximum fine is 14 penalty units and the disqualification period is one to nine months. Middle range carries a maximum fine of 28 penalty units and disqualification of three to twelve months. High range carries a maximum fine of 60 penalty units and minimum disqualification of six months. Imprisonment is possible for high-range repeat offenders.
These are the statutory maximums. What you actually receive depends on your BAC reading, your driving record, your personal circumstances, and how your matter is presented to the court. An experienced criminal lawyer can make a significant difference to the penalty imposed, particularly around disqualification periods.
If you need your licence for work, you may be eligible to apply for a work licence. This allows you to drive for work purposes only during the disqualification period. Not everyone qualifies, and the application requires evidence of hardship and a clear driving history. A special hardship order is a similar option for people who do not qualify for a work licence but would suffer genuine hardship from full disqualification.
Drug driving is treated separately under Queensland law and does not involve a BAC reading. Detection is through roadside saliva testing. The penalties are similar in structure to drink driving but the offence is the presence of a drug in your system while driving, not impairment. This distinction matters legally.