NEW SOUTH WALES

Forster DUI Lawyers

In shortBoorman Lawyers are experienced, dedicated drink driving, drug driving and DUI lawyers who regularly appear at Forster Local Court and represent clients facing alcohol, drug and serious traffic charges at this courthouse. Forster Local Court on Lake Street hears drink and drug driving charges from Forster–Tuncurry and the Great Lakes. We assist clients at Forster Local Court by appearing at court mentions, guilty pleas and sentencing hearings, preparing comprehensive sentencing submissions and character reference material, advising on licence disqualification periods and mandatory alcohol interlock rules under New South Wales law, and preparing Section 10 non-conviction applications.

Court: Forster Local Court, Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428. Phone 1300 679 272. Registry 9am–4pm on open days; a monthly calendar of opening days is displayed at the courthouse.
Post: PO Box 158, Forster NSW 2428.
Law: P-platers have a zero-alcohol limit (novice range); conviction means automatic disqualification under s 205.

New South Wales law · law checked 20 Oct 2026

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What's on this page

Why follow one driver through a Forster charge?

Because the rules make more sense attached to a real-looking story. The driver below, "Jordan", is made up. Jordan's facts are typical of what can happen around Forster–Tuncurry, but every case is different, and nothing here predicts what a magistrate will do with yours. The NSW law at each step is real and current as checked on 20 October 2026.

Jordan's facts: 22, apprentice electrician, P2 licence, lives in Tuncurry. After a Saturday night party, Jordan sleeps for six hours and drives to a Sunday job along The Lakes Way. Police stop the ute for a random breath test. The roadside test is positive and the breath analysis reads 0.015. No previous offences.

Step 1: What offence is a 0.015 reading on P plates?

Novice range prescribed concentration of alcohol. Under s 110 of the Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW), learner, provisional and unlicensed drivers must not have any alcohol in their breath or blood. The ranges are:

Range (s 110)	Reading	Who it mainly catches
Novice	above zero, under 0.02	Learner, provisional and unlicensed drivers
Special	0.02 up to under 0.05	Heavy vehicle, bus, taxi and dangerous goods drivers, and novice drivers over 0.02
Low	0.05 up to under 0.08	Everyone
Mid	0.08 up to under 0.15	Everyone
High	0.15 and above	Everyone

At 0.015, Jordan is in novice range. Novice and special range carry the same first-offence penalties.

Step 2: Does Jordan have to go to court?

Not necessarily. For a first novice, special or low range offence, police can issue a penalty notice: a fine and a 3-month licence suspension, with no conviction. The current amount is on the Transport for NSW penalties page. In our example, police issue a court attendance notice instead, listing Jordan at Forster Local Court. If Jordan had received a penalty notice, he could have elected to take it to court.

Either way, the offence counts for 5 years. A penalty notice is still a first offence for the purposes of any later charge (s 9).

Step 3: Can Jordan drive to work before court?

Yes, in this example. An immediate suspension notice under s 224 is for mid range, high range, DUI and refusal, not novice range. So Jordan keeps driving until the court date. Had the reading been 0.11, police could have suspended him on the spot (see the comparison below).

Step 4: What does Jordan face at Forster Local Court?

If convicted, disqualification is automatic under s 205:

Novice range, first offence	Result
Disqualification	6 months automatic; the court may reduce it to a minimum of 3 months
Maximum fine	$2,200
Interlock	Not required for a first novice range offence
Provisional licence	Jordan must reapply after the disqualification; P-plate time is affected

Our table of NSW drink driving penalties lists every range.

There is no work licence in NSW. For an apprentice who drives between job sites, that is the hardest fact in the whole story.

Step 5: Could Jordan avoid a conviction?

Possibly. Under Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act s 10, a magistrate can dismiss the charge or make a conditional release order without recording a conviction. With no conviction, there is no disqualification. Jordan has never had a section 10, so the s 203 bar (a section 10 for a major offence in the past 5 years) does not apply.

The magistrate looks at the reading, the driving, Jordan's record and character, the morning-after context, and what Jordan has done since. In our example Jordan:

completes a Traffic Offenders Program before the court date;
gets a letter from his employer explaining the apprenticeship and site travel;
gathers two references from people who know about the charge;
obtains his NSW driving record, which is clean.

That material does not decide the result. It gives the magistrate what is needed to consider one. We explain the factors in section 10 for NSW drink driving.

What if Jordan's reading had been 0.11?

The same night, a different reading changes almost everything:

Step	At 0.015 (novice range)	At 0.11 (mid range)
Roadside	Court notice or penalty notice	Immediate suspension notice likely (s 224)
Before court	Can drive	Cannot drive; s 268 appeal only in exceptional circumstances
Penalty notice possible?	Yes, first offence	No
If convicted	6 months off (minimum 3)	Interlock order: 3–6 months off, then at least 12 months on an interlock
Maximum	$2,200	$2,200 and/or 9 months' prison
Interlock optional?	Not applicable	No – mandatory unless an exemption order is made

An exemption order is available only on narrow grounds and means a longer disqualification instead. Our guide to the NSW interlock program covers fitting and costs.

What if it had been drugs, not alcohol?

If Jordan's saliva had shown THC from the night before, the charge would be driving with an illicit drug present under s 111. Police do not need to prove he was affected. A first offence can be dealt with by penalty notice or at court, with 6 months' automatic disqualification (minimum 3) on conviction. See NSW drug driving penalties explained.

Where is Forster Local Court and when is it open?

The official Local Court list gives Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428, postal address PO Box 158, Forster NSW 2428. Phone 1300 679 272; fax (02) 6555 8423. The registry is listed as open 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, but the list adds that a sign and calendar of specific opening days is displayed each month at the courthouse. AVL facilities are available. Check the date on your notice and allow time for security.

Could the charge have been defended?

In some cases. A breath analysis generally has to be taken within 2 hours of driving, and police must follow the testing rules in Schedule 3. Whether the person was driving can be in issue. Our NSW defences overview explains, and the NSW court process guide walks through each appearance.

Which courts are near Forster?

Taree Local Court – about 35 km north.
Gloucester drink driving matters – about 90 km west via Bucketts Way.
Port Macquarie DUI charges – further up the coast.

See all NSW courts we cover.

Video Insights from Our Team

Short clips with practical guidance on preparation, timing and what courts consider on sentence. For more, visit BoormanLawyers.tv .

Boorman Lawyers – Forster case insight 1

Boorman Lawyers – Forster case insight 2

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Forster drink driving FAQs

What is the postal address for Forster Local Court?

PO Box 158, Forster NSW 2428, according to the official Local Court list. Phone 1300 679 272.

Is Forster Local Court open every weekday?

The official list says Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, but specific opening days are shown on a monthly sign and calendar at the courthouse. Check before travelling.

What is the alcohol limit on P plates in NSW?

Zero. Learner and provisional drivers commit an offence with any alcohol in their breath or blood.

Can I keep driving before court after a low reading?

Usually, for novice, special and low range, unless police issued a penalty notice suspension. For mid range and above, expect an immediate suspension.

Is there a work licence for apprentices?

No. NSW has no work licence for drink or drug driving disqualifications.

Does this example mean I will get a section 10?

No. It shows how the rules apply to one set of facts. Your result depends on your own facts and record.

Sources and date checked

Sources and references for this page, checked 20 Oct 2026.

Local Court of NSW – Court locations F (Forster) — checked 19 Oct 2026
Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW) – ss 9, 108, 110–112, 203, 205, 209–212, 224 — checked 20 Oct 2026
Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) – s 10 — checked 20 Oct 2026
NSW Government (Transport for NSW) – Drink and drug driving penalties — checked 20 Oct 2026

This page is general information about New South Wales law only. It is not legal advice. Every matter turns on its own facts.

Forster Local Court — court details

Forster Local Court

Street: Lake Street, Forster NSW 2428
Postal: PO Box 158, Forster NSW 2428
Phone: 1300 679 272
Registry hours: Registry 9.00am – 4.00pm; telephone 8.30am – 4.30pm
Days open: Monday to Friday (specific opening days shown on a monthly sign and calendar at the courthouse)
Facilities: Audio visual link (AVL) facilities

➜ Get directions

Local Court of NSW, Court locations – F (localcourt.nsw.gov.au), saved 19 Oct 2026. These are the court registry's details, not Boorman Lawyers office details. Check your court papers for your listing time and courtroom.

NSW Traffic Law

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Guides for New South Wales traffic law matters.

NSWDrink Driving OffencesRead guide →NSWDrink Driving PenaltiesRead guide →NSWDrink Driving DefencesRead guide →NSWDrug Driving Offences & PenaltiesRead guide →NSWHigh Range PCA Guideline JudgmentRead guide →NSWLicence Suspension AppealRead guide →NSWAlcohol Interlock LawsRead guide →NSWNo Conviction Drink DrivingRead guide →NSWTraffic Offenders ProgramRead guide →NSWDUI Court Process GuideRead guide →NSWDangerous DrivingRead guide →NSWDisqualified DrivingRead guide →

Enquire about legal representation

Call 1300 941 900 or make an enquiry about legal representation.

What to have ready

Court & next listing date: Which court is on your paperwork and when your matter is listed.
Charge or reading (if known): Tell us the charge or reading if you have it — you do not need your full police facts yet.
Work & driving needs: Let us know if you rely on your licence for work or family responsibilities.

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