NEW SOUTH WALES

Lithgow DUI Lawyers

In shortBoorman Lawyers are experienced, dedicated drink driving, drug driving and DUI lawyers who regularly appear at Lithgow Local Court and represent clients facing alcohol, drug and serious traffic charges at this courthouse. Lithgow Local Court, on the corner of Bridge and Mort Streets, hears drink and drug driving charges from Lithgow and the western edge of the Blue Mountains. We assist clients at Lithgow 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: Lithgow Local Court, corner Bridge and Mort Streets, Lithgow NSW 2790. Phone (02) 6352 7300 or 1300 679 272. Registry 9am–1pm and 2pm–4pm, Monday to Friday.
First offence: mid range and above is a mandatory interlock offence.
Second offence within 5 years: higher maximums, every range becomes an interlock offence, and the Driver Knowledge Test applies.

New South Wales law · law checked 20 Oct 2026

Call 1300 941 900 Make an enquiry about legal representation

General image – not this courthouse.

What's on this page

What are the penalties for drink driving at Lithgow?

Here they are first. This table compares a first offence with a second or subsequent offence (a "major offence" within 5 years, RTA s 9) under the Road Transport Act 2013. Dollar amounts are at $110 per penalty unit.

Offence	First offence: maximum	First offence: licence	Second offence: maximum	Second offence: licence
Novice range (L/P, under 0.02)	$2,200	6 months' disqualification (minimum 3)	$3,300	Interlock order: 1–3 months off the road, then at least 12 months on an interlock
Special range (0.02 to under 0.05)	$2,200	6 months (minimum 3)	$3,300	Interlock order: 1–3 months, then at least 12 months
Low range (0.05 to under 0.08)	$2,200	6 months (minimum 3)	$3,300	Interlock order: 1–3 months, then at least 12 months
Mid range (0.08 to under 0.15)	$2,200 and/or 9 months' prison	Interlock order: 3–6 months, then at least 12 months	$3,300 and/or 12 months' prison	Interlock order: 6–9 months, then at least 24 months
High range (0.15 or more)	$3,300 and/or 18 months' prison	Interlock order: 6–9 months, then at least 24 months	$5,500 and/or 2 years' prison	Interlock order: 9–12 months, then at least 48 months
DUI (alcohol)	$3,300 and/or 18 months' prison	Interlock order: 6–9 months, then at least 24 months	$5,500 and/or 2 years' prison	Interlock order: 9–12 months, then at least 48 months
Refusing breath analysis	As for high range	Interlock order: 6–9 months, then at least 24 months	As for high range	Interlock order

If the court makes an exemption order instead of an interlock order, a longer disqualification applies (RTA s 205). For example, a first mid range offence then means 12 months (minimum 6), and a first high range offence 3 years (minimum 12 months).

For a first novice, special or low range offence, police may issue a penalty notice instead of charging you: a fine and a 3-month suspension, with no conviction (TfNSW).

Our NSW drink driving penalties guide explains each figure, and the guide to NSW drink driving offences explains the ranges.

Why does a second offence change so much?

Because the law treats repeat drink driving very differently. A second offence within 5 years means:

higher maximum fines and prison terms (see the table);
interlock for every range, even a second low range or novice offence (RTA s 209);
no second section 10 if you had one for a similar offence in the past 5 years (s 203);
the Driver Knowledge Test before you can be relicensed (TfNSW).

Which earlier matters count? Under RTA s 9, a new offence is a second or subsequent offence if, within 5 years, you were convicted of an equivalent offence (for drink driving, any "major offence"). An earlier drink or drug driving offence dealt with by penalty notice in the 5 years before your new conviction also counts (s 9(2A)). A section 10 is not a conviction, so on its own it does not make the new offence a second offence, but it does block a second section 10 (s 203). Get advice on your record before the court date.

How does the interlock program work?

After an interlock order, you serve the disqualification and then apply for an interlock licence. You can only drive a vehicle fitted with an approved interlock for the minimum period. You can be exempted only on narrow grounds such as no access to a vehicle or a medical condition, or severe hardship for a first mid range offence. Living in a regional area is not a ground. If you do not enter the program you are disqualified for 5 years (TfNSW Alcohol Interlock Program). See our NSW alcohol interlock guide.

Can you avoid the penalties in the table?

Not the law itself, but a section 10 under the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 means no conviction and no disqualification. It is most realistic for a first offence with a lower reading, no crash or bad driving, a clean record and strong material. Our page on no-conviction outcomes for drink driving in NSW explains when the court will consider it.

Where the evidence is genuinely in issue, such as the timing of the breath test or whether you were driving, the case may be defended instead. Read our NSW drink driving defences guide.

What does the Lithgow court want to see at sentence?

The court is not looking for excuses. It is looking for insight, responsibility and practical steps to reduce the risk of it happening again. Useful material includes:

a completed Traffic Offenders Program certificate;
character references that show the writer knows about the charge;
employer letters about your duties and travel, particularly for mine, power station, rail, farming and trade work;
evidence of medical, family or caring responsibilities that need a car;
counselling or treatment records, where alcohol or drug use is an issue;
a short personal letter.

Simply saying you need your licence for work is rarely enough. The best material explains why the licence matters, what you will lose, and what you have done since.

How does Lithgow's location affect drink and drug driving cases?

Lithgow sits on the Great Western Highway at the western edge of the Blue Mountains, near the Bells Line of Road and Castlereagh Highway. It has a long history of coal mining, power generation and railways. Residents may commute to Bathurst, the mountains or Sydney, and weather on the ranges can change quickly. Public transport outside the rail line is limited.

Drug driving charges in regional NSW can also follow roadside oral fluid testing. You can be charged with driving with an illicit drug present even if you were not affected. See our NSW drug driving penalties guide.

Which courts are near Lithgow?

Katoomba Local Court DUI – 5–11 Civic Place, about 30 km (upper Blue Mountains)
Bathurst drink driving matters – Russell Street, about 53 km
Penrith drink driving charges – 64–72 Henry Street, about 59 km; closed for refurbishment from 21 December 2026; Penrith Local Court sits at Parramatta Courthouse until 12 March 2027 and Penrith reopens on 15 March 2027 (Local Court of NSW notice, checked 20 Oct 2026)

All NSW courts are listed in our NSW courts we attend directory.

What clients say

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Lithgow drink driving FAQs

Where is Lithgow Local Court and how do I contact it?

The official Local Court list gives the street address as the corner of Bridge and Mort Streets, Lithgow NSW 2790, postal address PO Box 18, and phone (02) 6352 7300 or 1300 679 272. The registry and phones are open 9.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday.

Does an earlier penalty notice or section 10 count against me?

A drink or drug driving penalty notice in the 5 years before your new conviction counts: the new offence is treated as a second offence (RTA s 9(2A)). A section 10 is not a conviction, so it does not make the new offence a second offence by itself, but it does stop you getting another section 10 for a similar offence within 5 years (s 203).

Is a second low range offence an interlock offence?

Yes. A second or subsequent novice, special or low range offence within 5 years is a mandatory interlock offence: 1 to 3 months' disqualification, then at least 12 months on an interlock, unless the court makes an exemption order.

Can I be sent to jail for drink driving at Lithgow?

Prison is available for mid range, high range, DUI and refusal offences, and for repeat offences. It is generally reserved for serious cases, such as very high readings, crashes or a poor record. The maximums are in the table above.

What should I bring to court?

Your court attendance notice, the police facts if you have them, your licence, references, program certificates and any employment or medical documents, all in printed form.

Sources and date checked

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

Local Court of NSW – Court locations L (Lithgow) — checked 19 Oct 2026
Local Court of NSW – Court locations B, K, P (Bathurst, Katoomba, Penrith) — checked 19 Oct 2026
Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW) – current version for 1 October 2026 (ss 9, 108, 110, 112, 203, 205, 209–212; Sch 3 cl 16) — checked 20 Oct 2026
Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) – s 10; s 17 (penalty unit $110) — checked 20 Oct 2026
NSW Government (Transport for NSW) – Drink and drug driving penalties — 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.

Lithgow Local Court — court details

Lithgow Local Court

Street: Corner Bridge and Mort Streets, Lithgow NSW 2790
Postal: PO Box 18, Lithgow NSW 2790
Phone: (02) 6352 7300 or 1300 679 272
Registry hours: Registry and telephone 9.00am – 1.00pm and 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Days open: Monday to Friday
Facilities: Audio visual link (AVL) facilities

➜ 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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