NEW SOUTH WALES

Newtown DUI Lawyers

In shortBoorman Lawyers are experienced, dedicated drink driving, drug driving and DUI lawyers who regularly appear at Newtown Local Court and represent clients facing alcohol, drug and serious traffic charges at this courthouse. Newtown Local Court at 222 Australia Street hears Inner West drink and drug driving charges, Monday to Friday. We assist clients at Newtown 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: Newtown Local Court, 222 Australia Street, Newtown NSW 2042. Phone 1300 679 272. Registry 9am–1pm and 2pm–4pm, Monday to Friday.
Post: PO Box 575, Newtown NSW 2042.
Licence: s 224 roadside suspension; s 205 automatic disqualification on conviction; mandatory interlock from mid range; no work licence.

New South Wales law · law checked 20 Oct 2026

Call 1300 941 900 Make an enquiry about legal representation

Newtown Local Court courthouse – Boorman Lawyers

What's on this page

Can you drive tomorrow?

Work through four checkpoints. Each answer tells you whether you can lawfully drive at that stage, and the sections below explain the rule.

Checkpoint 1 – Did police give you an immediate suspension notice? - Yes → you cannot drive from now until the court deals with the charge (unless a s 268 appeal succeeds). Go to "What does a roadside suspension mean?" - No → you can usually keep driving until court. Go to checkpoint 2.

Checkpoint 2 – Did you receive a penalty notice instead of a court attendance notice? - Yes → your licence is suspended for 3 months, with no conviction. After that you can drive again. - No → go to checkpoint 3.

Checkpoint 3 – Did the magistrate convict you, or use section 10? - Section 10 → no conviction, no disqualification, no interlock. You can drive when you leave court, unless still under a roadside suspension that ends that day. - Convicted → disqualification starts automatically. Go to checkpoint 4.

Checkpoint 4 – Was an interlock order made? - No (novice, special, low range, drug presence first offences) → you can reapply once the disqualification ends. - Yes (mid range, high range, drug-impaired driving, refusal, or any second offence) → after the disqualification you drive only with an interlock fitted, for the minimum period.

What does a roadside suspension mean?

For mid range, high range, drug-impaired driving or refusing a test, police can suspend your licence on the spot under s 224 of the Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW). It lasts until the court finally deals with the charge. You can appeal to the Local Court under s 268, but only exceptional circumstances will succeed. Our guide to roadside suspension appeals explains. Time already spent suspended is generally taken into account when the magistrate sets the disqualification.

In the Inner West, being without a car is easier than in many places: Newtown Station is a short walk from Australia Street and King Street buses run past. Do not drive while suspended; it is a separate offence covered on our disqualified driving page.

How long are you off the road after a conviction?

Section 205 sets automatic disqualification periods. For a first offence:

Charge	Off the road	Then interlock for at least	Maximum fine (prison)
Novice (under 0.02; L, P, unlicensed)	6 months, can be cut to 3	–	$2,200
Special (0.02 to under 0.05; heavy vehicle, bus, taxi)	6 months, can be cut to 3	–	$2,200
Low (0.05 to under 0.08)	6 months, can be cut to 3	–	$2,200
Mid (0.08 to under 0.15)	3 to 6 months	12 months	$2,200 (9 months)
High (0.15 and over), DUI, refusal	6 to 9 months	24 months	$3,300 (18 months)
Illicit drug present	6 months, can be cut to 3	–	$2,200

NSW has no work licence, so the disqualification means no driving at all. The penalty tables for NSW set out second-offence figures.

Is the interlock period optional?

No. For the charges marked above, the court must make a mandatory interlock order unless it makes an exemption order under s 212, which brings a longer disqualification instead. On a second offence within 5 years (s 9), every range attracts one. You cannot get your full licence back until you finish the minimum period on the device. See our interlock program overview.

How do you get to keep driving after court?

Only by avoiding a conviction. A Newtown magistrate can dismiss the charge, or make a conditional release order without conviction, under Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act s 10. There is then no s 205 disqualification and no interlock. It is discretionary, harder at higher readings, and s 203 bars a second one for a major offence within 5 years. References, an employer letter and a completed road safety program are the usual evidence. Read when a s 10 may be open.

Does a penalty notice affect your licence?

Yes. For a first novice, special, low range or drug presence offence, police may issue one instead of a court date. It brings a fine and a 3-month suspension, with no conviction, and counts as an offence for 5 years. If you are charged again within that time, the second-offence rules apply.

Does drug driving affect your licence the same way?

Mostly. Driving with THC, methylamphetamine, MDMA or cocaine present (s 111) carries the same 6-month automatic disqualification as low range, and no proof of impairment is needed. A medicinal cannabis prescription is not currently a defence. Driving under the influence (s 112) is treated like high range. See drug driving penalties.

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.

Could a defence keep your licence intact?

If the charge is dismissed after a hearing, there is no disqualification. A breath analysis generally must be done within 2 hours of driving and follow Schedule 3, and whether you were driving can be disputed. Our defending a PCA charge page and the court process overview explain.

What are Newtown Local Court's details?

222 Australia Street, Newtown NSW 2042; postal PO Box 575, Newtown NSW 2042. Phone 1300 679 272; fax (02) 9577 4040. Registry 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm; telephone 8.30am to 4.30pm; Monday to Friday. AVL facilities are available.

Which courts are near Newtown?

Downing Centre Local Court – about 4 km north-east.
Waverley drink driving matters – about 6 km east.
Burwood DUI charges – about 7 km west; the official list shows Burwood closed until 14 December 2026.

See all locations on NSW courts we attend.

Video: What to Expect at Newtown Local Court

Watch our short video case review where principal lawyer Joshua Boorman explains what to expect in a typical DUI Court process at Newtown Local Court, how sentencing works, and what preparation can do to improve your result.

Newtown DUI Lawyers - Boorman Lawyers Video Guide

What clients say

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Newtown drink driving FAQs

What are Newtown Local Court's registry hours?

9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm, Monday to Friday. Phone 1300 679 272.

Can I drive before my court date?

Yes, unless police gave you an immediate suspension notice.

Is there a work licence in NSW?

No.

When does the interlock start?

After the disqualification period ends.

Does a penalty notice mean a suspension?

Yes: 3 months, with no conviction.

Does section 10 mean I keep my licence?

Yes. With no conviction there is no automatic disqualification.

Sources and date checked

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

Local Court of NSW – Court locations N (Newtown) — 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.

Newtown Local Court — court details

Newtown Local Court

Street: 222 Australia Street, Newtown NSW 2042
Postal: PO Box 575, Newtown NSW 2042
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 available

➜ Get directions

Local Court of NSW, Court locations – N (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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