NEW SOUTH WALES

Moss Vale DUI Lawyers

In shortBoorman Lawyers are experienced, dedicated drink driving, drug driving and DUI lawyers who regularly appear at Moss Vale Local Court and represent clients facing alcohol, drug and serious traffic charges at this courthouse. Moss Vale Local Court, at 356 Argyle Street, hears drink and drug driving charges from across the Southern Highlands, including Bowral, Mittagong and Bundanoon. We assist clients at Moss Vale 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: Moss Vale Local Court, 356 Argyle Street, Moss Vale NSW 2577. Phone 1300 679 272. Registry 9am–1pm and 2pm–4pm, Monday to Friday.
Options: penalty notice (first lower-range offences), plead guilty, seek a section 10, or plead not guilty.
Interlock: mandatory for mid range and above, even for a first offence, unless an exemption order is made.

New South Wales law · law checked 20 Oct 2026

Call 1300 941 900 Make an enquiry about legal representation

What's on this page

What are your options after a Moss Vale drink driving charge?

The right path depends on the charge, the evidence and your record. This matrix compares the main options under NSW law for a drink driving matter at Moss Vale Local Court.

Option	When it is available	Conviction?	Licence	Things to weigh up
Pay a penalty notice	First low, novice or special range offence, if police issue a notice rather than a court attendance notice	No	3-month suspension	Quick and certain. You may be able to elect to have it dealt with by a court instead
Plead guilty, ask for a section 10	Any range in theory; realistically lower readings, good record and strong subjective case	No	No disqualification	Not available if you had a section 10 for a similar offence in the last 5 years (RTA s 203)
Plead guilty, conviction recorded	Any range	Yes	Disqualification or interlock order, depending on the range	Fine, and in serious cases a community order or prison
Plead not guilty	Where there is a real issue with the evidence or procedure	Only if found guilty	Depends on the result	Hearing date, witnesses, costs; lose the plea discount if found guilty
Seek an interlock exemption order	Mandatory interlock offences	–	Longer disqualification instead of interlock	Only on narrow grounds: no access to a vehicle, a medical condition, or severe hardship for a first mid range offence only

The figures behind each option are below. Our NSW drink driving penalties guide has the full tables.

What penalties apply in the Southern Highlands?

The same NSW penalties apply at Moss Vale as anywhere else in the state, under section 110 of the Road Transport Act 2013. For a first offence ($110 per penalty unit):

Novice, special and low range: up to $2,200. Disqualification 6 months automatic, 3 months minimum.
Mid range: up to $2,200 and/or 9 months' imprisonment. Interlock order: 3 to 6 months' disqualification, then at least 12 months on an interlock.
High range: up to $3,300 and/or 18 months' imprisonment. Interlock order: 6 to 9 months' disqualification, then at least 24 months on an interlock.

For a second offence within 5 years, the maximums rise and even a low range offence becomes a mandatory interlock offence. Each offence is explained in our NSW drink driving offences guide.

When is a section 10 realistic?

Under section 10 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, the court can dismiss the charge, discharge you on a conditional release order without conviction, or order you into an intervention program. It considers your character, antecedents, age, health and mental condition, how trivial the offence is, and any extenuating circumstances.

Because the community expects drink driving to be taken seriously, a section 10 is more likely where the reading is low, there was no crash or poor driving, you have a clean record and you have done the work: the Traffic Offenders Program, references and evidence of need. Note that a conditional release order can also be made with a conviction. See our NSW no conviction guide.

Is there a defence?

Sometimes. Possible issues include whether the breath test was carried out within the time allowed, whether the testing device and procedure were correct, whether you were actually the driver, and, for novice drivers, whether the alcohol came from something other than drinking an alcoholic beverage. Our guide to NSW drink driving defences explains when these apply. A defended hearing is a serious decision, so get advice early.

What about drug driving?

Drug driving charges after a roadside oral fluid test are separate offences with their own penalties and licence consequences. See our NSW drug driving guide.

Why does the Southern Highlands context matter?

Moss Vale Local Court serves the whole Southern Highlands, including Bowral, Mittagong, Bundanoon and the surrounding villages. Residents may commute on the Hume Highway to Sydney and Campbelltown, and tourism, wineries and weekend events bring visitors on the roads. Public transport between villages is limited. If you need your licence for work or family, that evidence matters both when choosing between options and at sentence.

Which courts are near Moss Vale?

Nowra Local Court drink driving – Plunkett Street, about 42 km
Kiama DUI matters – 34–36 Terralong Street, about 46 km; sits on the first Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the month
Picton drink driving charges – 88 Argyle Street, about 48 km
Goulburn Local Court DUI – Montague Street

Our NSW courts we attend directory lists every other court.

Watch Our DUI Case Review

In this short video, Boorman Lawyers discuss key factors that can influence DUI sentencing outcomes and how preparation makes all the difference.

Boorman Lawyers DUI Case Review

What clients say

Google reviews (opens in a new tab)Facebook reviews (opens in a new tab)

Moss Vale drink driving FAQs

Where is Moss Vale Local Court and when is it open?

Moss Vale Local Court is at 356 Argyle Street, Moss Vale NSW 2577 (PO Box 7). The official Local Court list gives registry hours of 9.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday, with phone enquiries (1300 679 272) from 8.30am to 4.30pm. Court room 1 has AVL facilities.

Do I have to attend Moss Vale court in person?

For a plea and sentence on a drink driving charge, plan to attend. In some cases a lawyer can appear for you at an early mention. Confirm with your lawyer before the date.

Should I pay the penalty notice or go to court?

A penalty notice means no conviction and a 3-month suspension. In court, you could receive a section 10 with no disqualification, but if convicted you face at least 3 months' disqualification and a criminal record. Which is better depends on your reading, record and circumstances.

Can I avoid the interlock?

Only through an exemption order on limited grounds. Severe hardship is a ground only for a first mid range offence. If you are exempted, you serve a longer disqualification instead.

Will my case be in the local paper?

Local Court hearings are open to the public and the media can attend and report. There is no rule that excludes drink driving matters.

Can I do the Traffic Offenders Program online?

Some programs are delivered online. Check that the provider is one the court will accept before you enrol.

Sources and date checked

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

Local Court of NSW – Court locations M (Moss Vale) — checked 19 Oct 2026
Local Court of NSW – Court locations K, N, P (Kiama, Nowra, Picton) — checked 19 Oct 2026
Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW) – current version for 1 October 2026 (ss 108, 110, 203, 205, 209–212) — checked 20 Oct 2026
Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) – s 10 and conditional release orders — 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.

Moss Vale Local Court — court details

Moss Vale Local Court

Street: 356 Argyle Street, Moss Vale NSW 2577
Postal: PO Box 7, Moss Vale NSW 2577
Phone: 1300 679 272
Registry hours: Registry 9.00am – 1.00pm and 2.00pm – 4.00pm; telephone 8.30am – 4.30pm
Days open: Monday to Friday
Facilities: Audio visual link (AVL) facilities in court room 1

➜ Get directions

Local Court of NSW, Court locations – M (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.

No obligationConfidential

Boorman Lawyers TV