NEW SOUTH WALES

Lismore DUI Lawyers

Name: NSW DUI Sentencing – What Helps Most
Uploaded: 2025-11-01
Description: Understanding NSW DUI penalties, Interlock eligibility, and strategic mitigation to seek reduced disqualification and fines.

In shortBoorman Lawyers are experienced, dedicated drink driving, drug driving and DUI lawyers who regularly appear at Lismore Local and District Court and represent clients facing alcohol, drug and serious traffic charges at this courthouse. Lismore Local and District Court at 9–11 Zadoc Street hears Northern Rivers drink and drug driving charges Monday to Friday. We assist clients at Lismore 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: Lismore Local and District Court, 9–11 Zadoc Street, Lismore NSW 2480. Phone 1300 679 272. Registry 9am–4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Post: PO Box 18, Lismore NSW 2480.
Law: s 205 automatic disqualification; a second offence within 5 years brings an interlock for every drink driving range.

New South Wales law · law checked 20 Oct 2026

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What's on this page

How much worse is a second offence than a first?

Much worse, on every measure. These are the maximums and licence results on conviction under the Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW) and the Transport for NSW tables:

Charge	First offence	Second offence within 5 years
Novice, special or low range PCA	$2,200; 6 months off (down to 3); no interlock	$3,300 and/or 6 months' jail; interlock order (or 12 months off, minimum 6, if exempt)
Mid range PCA	$2,200 and/or 9 months; 3–6 months off, then 12+ months interlock	$3,300 and/or 12 months; 6–9 months off, then 24+ months interlock
High range PCA, DUI or refusal	$3,300 and/or 18 months; 6–9 months off, then 24+ months interlock	$5,500 and/or 2 years; 9–12 months off, then 48+ months interlock
Illicit drug present	$2,200; 6 months off (down to 3)	$3,300; 12 months off (down to 6)

Ranges under s 110: novice is any reading under 0.02 for learner, provisional and unlicensed drivers; special 0.02 up to 0.05 for heavy vehicle, bus, taxi and dangerous goods drivers; low 0.05 up to 0.08; mid 0.08 up to 0.15; high 0.15 or more. A penalty unit is $110.

What counts as a second offence?

Any earlier drink or drug driving offence within 5 years (s 9). That includes:

a conviction at any court, at any range;
a drug presence or DUI offence, even if the new charge is alcohol (or the reverse);
an offence dealt with by penalty notice, even though there was no court and no conviction.

The 5 years are counted between the two offences. A section 10 outcome for the earlier offence also has consequences: s 203 stops you receiving another section 10 for a major offence within 5 years.

What extra consequences come with a repeat?

Beyond the bigger numbers in the table:

Interlock for every range. Even a second low or novice range conviction leads to a mandatory interlock order unless the court makes an exemption order, which brings a longer disqualification instead.
Driver Knowledge Test before you can be relicensed.
Prison becomes a realistic risk for higher readings and DUI, especially with dangerous driving.
No second section 10 within 5 years of a first for a major offence.

Our complete NSW penalties guide and NSW interlock rules explained give more detail, and the TfNSW penalties table is the official source.

If this is your first, how do you keep it to one?

Start with the outcome of this charge. For a first offence, police may issue a penalty notice for novice, special, low range or drug presence: a fine and 3 months' suspension with no conviction, though it still counts for 5 years. At court, the magistrate can deal with the charge without conviction under section 10 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, meaning no s 205 disqualification and no interlock. Read about the factors in section 10 for NSW drink drivers.

Then look at the 5 years ahead. A Traffic Offenders Program, counselling where alcohol or drug use is a problem, and a clear plan for getting home after nights out in Lismore or Byron all reduce the risk of a second charge, and they are also material the magistrate can consider now.

Will your licence be suspended before court?

For mid range, high range, DUI and refusal, police can issue an immediate suspension notice under s 224, effective until the charge is dealt with. An appeal to the Local Court under s 268 can succeed only in exceptional circumstances. For a second offence, expect police to use this power. Lower-range charges usually leave you able to drive until court. There is no work licence in NSW.

Does drug driving follow the same pattern?

Yes. Driving with an illicit drug present (s 111) needs only proof that THC, methylamphetamine, MDMA or cocaine was present, not impairment. A medical cannabis prescription is not currently a defence to the presence offence. DUI (s 112) requires impairment and carries higher penalties. See NSW drug driving charges.

Reform has passed but is not yet in force. The NSW medical cannabis and driving offences amending Act received assent on 23 September 2026 and starts on a date still to be proclaimed (not proclaimed as at 21 October 2026). Until then the current s 111 rules apply.

Can the charge be contested?

Sometimes. A breath analysis generally must take place within 2 hours of driving, and police must follow Schedule 3. Whether you were driving and how a drug sample was handled may matter. Our drink driving defences in NSW page explains, and the NSW court process guide shows each step.

Where is Lismore Local Court and when is it open?

The official Local Court list gives 9–11 Zadoc Street, Lismore NSW 2480, postal address PO Box 18, Lismore NSW 2480. Phone 1300 679 272; fax (02) 6623 3600. Registry 9am to 4.30pm and phones 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. AVL facilities are available in courtrooms 1 to 4. Bring your notice, driving record, references and an employer letter, and allow time for security.

Which courts are near Lismore?

Casino Local Court – about 30 km west.
Ballina drink driving charges – about 35 km east.
Kyogle DUI matters – about 45 km north.

Others are listed under NSW courts we attend.

Recent Court Case Reviews & Insights (Video)

Boorman Lawyers Case Review - Lismore/Northern Rivers Published 2024-10-22.

NSW DUI Sentencing – What Helps Most Published 2025-11-01.

What clients say

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Lismore drink driving FAQs

What are Lismore Local Court's contact details?

9–11 Zadoc Street, Lismore NSW 2480; PO Box 18, Lismore NSW 2480; phone 1300 679 272; fax (02) 6623 3600. Open 9am to 4.30pm weekdays.

My last offence was 6 years ago. Is this a second offence?

Not if more than 5 years separate the two offences. Check the exact dates.

Does a paid penalty notice count?

Yes. It counts as a previous offence for 5 years.

Is an interlock mandatory for a second low range offence?

Yes, unless the court makes an exemption order, which brings a longer disqualification.

Can I get a work licence?

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

Is a medical cannabis prescription a defence?

Not currently, for the presence offence.

Sources and date checked

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

Local Court of NSW – Court locations L (Lismore) — 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.

Lismore Local and District Court — court details

Lismore Local and District Court

Street: 9–11 Zadoc Street, Lismore NSW 2480
Postal: PO Box 18, Lismore NSW 2480
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 in court rooms 1, 2, 3 and 4

➜ Get directions

Local Court of NSW, Court locations – L (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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