NEW SOUTH WALES

Gosford DUI Lawyers

In shortBoorman Lawyers are experienced, dedicated drink driving, drug driving and DUI lawyers who regularly appear at Gosford Local and District Court and represent clients facing alcohol, drug and serious traffic charges at this courthouse. Gosford Local and District Court, at Donnison Street and Henry Parry Drive, hears Central Coast drink and drug driving charges Monday to Friday, and appeals from them are heard in the same complex. We assist clients at Gosford Local and District 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: Gosford Local and District Court, corner of Donnison Street and Henry Parry Drive, Gosford NSW 2250. Phone 1300 679 272. Registry 9am–4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Post: 135 Donnison Street, Gosford NSW 2250.
Law: automatic disqualification on conviction (Road Transport Act 2013 s 205); mandatory interlock for mid range and above.

New South Wales law · law checked 20 Oct 2026

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What's on this page

Stage 1: What happens at the roadside on the Central Coast?

Typical timing: the night of the stop. Decision point: none for you yet, except to cooperate with testing.

Police can stop any driver for a random breath test or a mobile drug test. A positive roadside test leads to a breath analysis at the roadside or a police station, or to a saliva sample being sent to a laboratory. Refusing a breath test or analysis is an offence in its own right, with penalties at the high range level.

Under s 110 of the Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW), the analysis puts you in a range: novice (any alcohol under 0.02, for L, P and unlicensed drivers), special (0.02 to under 0.05, for heavy vehicle, bus, taxi and dangerous goods drivers), low (0.05 to under 0.08), mid (0.08 to under 0.15) or high (0.15 or more). A breath analysis generally has to happen within 2 hours of the driving (Schedule 3).

Stage 2: Are you given a penalty notice, a court notice or a suspension?

Typical timing: the same night, or when a drug laboratory result returns. Decision point: if offered a penalty notice, whether to pay it or take it to court.

Three things can happen:

Penalty notice. For a first novice, special, low range or drug presence offence, police can issue one: a fine and a 3-month suspension, with no court and no conviction. It still counts as an offence for 5 years.
Court attendance notice. Your case goes to Gosford Local Court on the date shown.
Immediate suspension notice (s 224). For mid range, high range, DUI or refusal, police can suspend your licence from that moment until the case is finished.

Stage 3: Can you drive before your Gosford court date?

Typical timing: the weeks between the charge and the first mention. Decision point: whether to appeal an immediate suspension.

If you were not suspended, you can generally drive until the court deals with the charge. If you were, you cannot. An appeal under s 268 goes to the Local Court and can succeed only in exceptional circumstances; commuting on the M1 or a Central Coast job will not usually be enough by itself. Our NSW suspension appeals page explains the process.

Use this stage to prepare. Order your NSW driving record, think about who could write a reference, and consider a Traffic Offenders Program.

Stage 4: What happens at the first mention at Donnison Street?

Typical timing: the date on your notice. Decision point: plead guilty, plead not guilty, or ask for an adjournment to get material ready.

Arrive early for security, find your courtroom on the list, and tell the court officer you are there. The magistrate will ask how you plead.

Not guilty: the case is set down for hearing. This suits a real dispute, for example about whether you were driving, the 2-hour rule, or how a drug sample was handled. See ways to contest a NSW drink driving charge.
Guilty: the case may be sentenced on the day if your material is ready, or adjourned for a short period.

Drug presence under s 111 does not require proof that you were affected. DUI under s 112 does. Our explainer on NSW drug driving covers both.

Stage 5: What happens on sentence day?

Typical timing: the first mention or a later date. Decision point: what you ask the court for.

The magistrate considers the reading, the driving, your record and your personal material. There are two main paths.

No conviction. Under s 10 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, the court may dismiss the charge or make a conditional release order without conviction. No conviction means no disqualification and no interlock. It is barred if you had a section 10 for a major offence in the past 5 years (s 203). We discuss when it is realistic at section 10 and NSW drink driving.

Conviction. Disqualification is automatic (s 205). For a first offence:

Charge	Licence	Maximum
Novice, special or low range	6 months off; may be cut to 3	$2,200
Mid range	Interlock order: 3–6 months off, then 12+ months with an interlock	$2,200 and/or 9 months' jail
High range, DUI or refusal	Interlock order: 6–9 months off, then 24+ months with an interlock	$3,300 and/or 18 months' jail
Illicit drug present	6 months off; may be cut to 3	$2,200

The interlock order is not optional. The court can make an exemption order only on narrow grounds, such as no access to a vehicle or a medical condition, and then the disqualification is longer. NSW has no work licence. Second-offence figures are on our NSW penalties summary.

What paperwork should be in your folder by Stage 5?

Think of it as a folder you build during Stages 3 and 4, so nothing is missing when your name is called. A sensible Gosford folder holds:

photo identification, the court attendance notice and any suspension notice;
your NSW driving record, printed from Service NSW;
a program completion certificate, if you have done one;
two or three character references, each signed and dated, from people who say they know about the charge;
a letter from your employer or business explaining the driving your work involves, for example commuting from the peninsula, Terrigal or Kincumber, shift starts before the trains run, or site visits across the coast;
any medical, psychological or counselling reports;
if you are asking for an interlock exemption, evidence of the ground you rely on.

Make two copies: one for the magistrate and one for the police prosecutor. Original references are usually handed up through the court officer. If something will not be ready in time, it is better to raise that at the first mention than to arrive at sentence without it.

Stage 6: What happens after court, including an appeal?

Typical timing: the months and years after sentence. Decision point: whether to appeal, and when to enter the interlock program.

Appeal. Gosford is a Local and District Court complex, so a District Court appeal is heard in the same building. A severity appeal is generally lodged within 28 days. The District Court can increase or reduce the penalty.

Interlock. After the off-road period, you enrol with an approved provider, have the device fitted and apply for an interlock licence. If you never enter the program, you stay disqualified for 5 years. The Transport for NSW interlock program page lists providers; we explain the rules in a NSW guide to interlocks.

The next 5 years. Any further drink or drug driving offence within 5 years is a second offence, bringing higher penalties, an interlock for every drink driving range and the Driver Knowledge Test before relicensing.

Where is Gosford Local Court and when is it open?

The official Local Court list gives the street address as Donnison Street and Henry Parry Drive, Gosford NSW 2250, and the postal address as 135 Donnison Street, Gosford NSW 2250. Phone 1300 679 272; fax (02) 4304 6840. The registry is open 9am to 4.30pm and the phones 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. AVL facilities are available. For more on what happens in the courtroom, see our NSW DUI court guide.

Which courts are near Gosford?

Wyong Local Court – northern Central Coast.
Hornsby drink driving charges – south along the M1.

Every location is on our NSW court directory.

Video guides: DUI charges and court process for Gosford matters

These videos provide general guidance relevant to people appearing at Gosford Local Court. Each video includes its publication date.

A practical overview for people with drink or drug driving charges in Gosford, including what to expect at Gosford Local Court and how preparation can affect sentencing.

Sentencing considerations for NSW drink driving offences, including penalties and licence disqualification issues relevant to Gosford Local Court matters.

Practical steps that can support a plea of guilty, including building material for Gosford Local Court and demonstrating insight and rehabilitation.

A baseline overview of DUI court appearances and common pitfalls to avoid, still useful for people appearing at Gosford Local Court.

Gosford DUI Lawyers: Court process and preparation Published 2024-05-26.

Gosford Drink Driving Lawyers: Sentencing considerations Published 2024-02-14.

Gosford DUI charge: Building a strong plea Published 2023-01-31.

DUI court appearance tips for Gosford matters Published 2019-09-06.

What clients say

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Gosford drink driving FAQs

What are the contact details for Gosford Local Court?

Donnison Street and Henry Parry Drive, Gosford NSW 2250; postal address 135 Donnison Street, Gosford NSW 2250; phone 1300 679 272; fax (02) 4304 6840. Open 9am to 4.30pm weekdays.

What is the difference between PCA and DUI?

A PCA charge is based on your breath or blood alcohol reading. DUI requires proof that alcohol or a drug affected your driving, and carries higher penalties.

Will I automatically lose my licence?

On conviction, yes – disqualification is automatic under s 205. If the court deals with the charge without conviction under section 10, there is no disqualification.

Is the interlock optional?

No. For a first mid range, high range, DUI or refusal conviction, the interlock order is mandatory unless the court makes an exemption order.

Can I get a licence to drive to work?

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

Where is an appeal heard?

At the District Court, which sits in the same Gosford complex.

Sources and date checked

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

Local Court of NSW – Court locations G (Gosford) — checked 19 Oct 2026
Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW) – ss 9, 110–112, 203, 205, 209–212, 224, 268; Sch 3 — checked 20 Oct 2026
Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) – s 10 — checked 20 Oct 2026
NSW Government (Transport for NSW) – Alcohol Interlock Program — 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.

Gosford Local and District Court — court details

Gosford Local and District Court

Street: Corner of Donnison Street and Henry Parry Drive, Gosford NSW 2250
Postal: 135 Donnison Street, Gosford NSW 2250
Phone: 1300 679 272
Registry hours: Registry 9.00am – 4.30pm; telephone 8.30am – 4.30pm
Days open: Monday to Friday
Facilities: Audio visual link (AVL) facilities

➜ Get directions

Local Court of NSW, Court locations – G (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

Choose your NSW traffic law topicNSW

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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