NEW SOUTH WALES

Hay DUI Lawyers

In shortBoorman Lawyers are experienced, dedicated drink driving, drug driving and DUI lawyers who regularly appear at Hay Local Court and represent clients facing alcohol, drug and serious traffic charges at this courthouse. Hay Local Court, on the corner of Moppett and Pine Streets, opens on court sitting days only and also takes matters from Balranald, which is not operating. We assist clients at Hay 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: Hay Local Court, corner of Moppett and Pine Streets, Hay NSW 2711. Phone 1300 679 272. Open court sitting days only; registry 9am–1pm and 2pm–4pm on those days.
Balranald: not operating – the official list says to refer to Hay.
Law: disqualification is automatic on conviction (s 205); NSW has no work licence.

New South Wales law · law checked 20 Oct 2026

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General image – not this courthouse.

What's on this page

What are the penalties at Hay, at a glance?

All drink and drug driving charges at Hay are under the Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW). For a first offence:

Charge	Penalty notice possible?	Licence taken at roadside?	If convicted: disqualification	Interlock?	Maximum
Novice range PCA	Yes	No	6 months (court may cut to 3)	No	$2,200
Special range PCA	Yes	No	6 months (court may cut to 3)	No	$2,200
Low range PCA	Yes	No	6 months (court may cut to 3)	No	$2,200
Mid range PCA	No	Usually – s 224 notice	3–6 months	Yes – 12 months minimum	$2,200 and/or 9 months' prison
High range PCA	No	Usually – s 224 notice	6–9 months	Yes – 24 months minimum	$3,300 and/or 18 months' prison
Driving under the influence	No	Usually – s 224 notice	6–9 months	Yes – 24 months minimum	$3,300 and/or 18 months' prison
Refusing breath test or analysis	No	Usually – s 224 notice	6–9 months	Yes – 24 months minimum	$3,300 and/or 18 months' prison
Illicit drug present	Yes	No	6 months (court may cut to 3)	No	$2,200

The ranges (s 110): novice is more than zero but under 0.02, and applies to learners, P-platers and unlicensed drivers; special is 0.02 to under 0.05, for heavy vehicle, bus, taxi and dangerous goods drivers; low is 0.05 to under 0.08; mid 0.08 to under 0.15; high is 0.15 or above. One penalty unit is $110.

What changes for a second offence?

A second offence is any drink or drug driving offence within 5 years of another, including one dealt with by penalty notice (s 9).

Second offence	Disqualification	Interlock	Maximum
Novice, special or low range	12 months minimum 6, or interlock order	Yes – interlock for every range	$3,300 and/or 6 months' prison
Mid range	Interlock order: 6–9 months off	24 months minimum	$3,300 and/or 12 months' prison
High range, DUI, refusal	Interlock order: 9–12 months off	48 months minimum	$5,500 and/or 2 years' prison
Illicit drug present	12 months (minimum 6)	No	$3,300

You must also pass the Driver Knowledge Test before being relicensed. The Transport for NSW penalties page is the official reference, and our NSW penalty guide explains each figure.

When can police give a penalty notice instead of a court date?

For a first novice, special, low range or illicit drug presence offence. A penalty notice means a fine and a 3-month suspension starting on the date set out in it, with no court and no conviction. Police choose whether to use one. Paying it does not wipe the slate: it counts as an earlier offence for 5 years.

When is your licence taken at the roadside?

For mid range, high range, DUI and refusal, police can serve an immediate suspension notice under s 224. You cannot drive from that moment until the charge is dealt with. Because Hay opens on sitting days only, the wait can be long. A Local Court appeal under s 268 can lift the suspension only in exceptional circumstances. Long distances to a station, farm or irrigation job are part of life here, but are not usually exceptional on their own. Our guide to appealing a NSW suspension explains more.

Is disqualification automatic if you are convicted?

Yes. Section 205 applies to every conviction in the table. The magistrate chooses the length within the range, which is why the material you bring matters. The other path is no conviction at all: under section 10 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, the court can dismiss the charge or make a conditional release order, and then there is no disqualification. Section 203 of the Road Transport Act prevents a second section 10 for a major offence within 5 years. Read more on avoiding a recorded conviction in NSW.

NSW has no work licence for these offences. You cannot drive at all while disqualified.

How does the interlock column work?

For the charges marked "Yes", the court must make an interlock order on conviction. You serve the off-road period, then drive only a vehicle fitted with an approved device for at least the minimum period. An exemption order is possible on narrow grounds, such as no access to a vehicle or a medical condition, but it replaces the interlock with a longer disqualification. In the far western Riverina, the practical question is servicing: find out where the nearest provider service centre is before you are relicensed. See the NSW interlock program explained.

What about the drug presence row?

Driving with an illicit drug present (s 111) does not need proof that you were affected; detection of THC, methylamphetamine, MDMA or cocaine is enough. Driving under the influence of a drug (s 112) is the more serious charge in the DUI row. Our NSW drug driving overview explains testing and lab results.

Where is Hay Local Court and when does it sit?

The official Local Court list gives the corner of Moppett and Pine Streets, Hay NSW 2711, postal address PO Box 32, Hay NSW 2711. Phone 1300 679 272 (8.30am to 4.30pm); fax (02) 6993 1847. The court is open on court sitting days only, with the registry open 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm depending on sittings. The official list also says Balranald court is not operating and refers enquiries to Hay.

Bring your notice, your driving record, references, a Traffic Offenders Program certificate if you have one, and a letter about your work. If you dispute the facts, see NSW drink driving defences.

Which courts are near Hay?

Finley Local Court – about 145 km south-east.
Corowa drink driving charges – further south on the Murray.

Others are on our NSW court list.

What clients say

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Hay drink driving FAQs

When is Hay Local Court open?

On court sitting days only, according to the official list. Phone 1300 679 272 to check before travelling.

I was charged near Balranald. Where is the case heard?

The official list says Balranald is not operating and refers matters to Hay. Your notice will name the court.

Can I drive while waiting for court?

If police gave you an immediate suspension notice, no. Otherwise, usually yes.

Is there a work licence for station or farm workers?

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

Is the interlock optional for a mid range charge?

No. On conviction it is mandatory unless the court makes an exemption order.

Does a penalty notice count against me?

Yes, as a previous offence for 5 years.

Sources and date checked

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

Local Court of NSW – Court locations H (Hay) — checked 19 Oct 2026
Local Court of NSW – Court locations B (Balranald non-operational, refer to Hay) — checked 19 Oct 2026
Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW) – ss 9, 110–112, 203, 205, 209–212, 224, 268 — 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.

Hay Local Court — court details

Hay Local Court

Street: Corner of Moppett and Pine Streets, Hay NSW 2711
Postal: PO Box 32, Hay NSW 2711
Phone: 1300 679 272
Registry hours: Registry 9.00am – 1.00pm and 2.00pm – 4.00pm (depending on court sittings); telephone 8.30am – 4.30pm
Days open: Open court sitting days only

➜ Get directions

Local Court of NSW, Court locations – H and B (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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