High-range drink driving, first offence — what happens?
High-range PCA (0.15 or more) is the most serious drink-driving charge. Here is what the charge means and the figures the court works from.
A person drives a motor vehicle (or occupies the driving seat and attempts to put it in motion), or supervises a learner driver, with the high range concentration of alcohol present in their breath or blood.
| First offence | Second or later | |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic disqualification | 3 years | 5 years |
| Minimum disqualification a court can order | 12 months | 2 years |
| Maximum fine | $3,300 | $5,500 |
| Maximum prison | 18 months | 2 years |
| Alcohol interlock | Yes — a mandatory alcohol interlock order | Yes — a mandatory alcohol interlock order |
Police can suspend your licence immediately — you have 28 days to appeal to the Local Court.
No disqualification · No interlock · No fine · No criminal conviction. It is not automatic — the court weighs how serious it was and your circumstances — and it is not available if you have had one for drink or drug driving in the last 5 years.
Want to know what this means for you?
The free guide walks your own charge through to court, step by step. For advice about your matter, speak to Hanna Legal.
The charge in full
- High range PCA — Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW) s 110(5)
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