NEW SOUTH WALES

Queanbeyan DUI Lawyers

In shortQueanbeyan Local and District Court at 2 Farrer Place deals with charges laid on the New South Wales side of the border, including many drivers who live or work in Canberra. Boorman Lawyers represents people charged with NSW drink driving, drug driving and DUI offences at Queanbeyan, applying New South Wales law only.

New South Wales law · law checked 30 Oct 2026

Call 1300 941 900 Make an enquiry about legal representation

Queanbeyan Local Court courthouse – Boorman Lawyers

What's on this page

The short answer

A charge laid by NSW Police in Queanbeyan or the surrounding district is dealt with under NSW law at Farrer Place, even if you live in Canberra and hold an ACT licence. Most first appearances fall on a Monday.

New South Wales law · law checked 30 Oct 2026 · court details checked 30 Oct 2026

Does living in Canberra change anything at Queanbeyan?

The law that applies is the law of the place the offence happened. If NSW Police charged you on the Kings Highway, the Monaro Highway or in Queanbeyan itself, the Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW) applies, along with NSW ranges, penalties and disqualification periods. This page covers New South Wales law only. The rules for an ACT charge are different, and nothing here describes them.

A NSW disqualification stops you driving in New South Wales, and other licensing authorities are notified. If you commute across the border, think about how you'll get to Farrer Place and to work if you are suspended before your court date.

Where does the Queanbeyan magistrate go each week?

The Queanbeyan circuit (effective August 2025) has one magistrate covering four courts. Queanbeyan has the Monday and Tuesday of every week and all of week 4. Cooma takes Wednesday to Friday of weeks 1 and 3, with a general list on each of those Wednesdays. In week 2 the magistrate sits at Goulburn on the Wednesday for the general and DPP lists, then at Yass on Thursday and Friday for defended hearings.

Goulburn and Yass also appear on a separate Goulburn circuit, so those courts have sitting days beyond the ones on the Queanbeyan calendar. All four courts on this circuit have AVL and remote witness facilities. For a Queanbeyan defendant, the practical effect is that hearings and adjourned pleas are fitted into the Tuesdays and week 4, and the gap between dates can be longer than the city's size suggests.

Who comes before the court at Queanbeyan?

Queanbeyan's magistrate travels the circuit for much of each month, sitting in Cooma, Goulburn and Yass. That's why many Queanbeyan matters cluster on Mondays and Tuesdays, and why week 4 is the one full Queanbeyan week. Defended hearings get listed around that pattern, which can mean a longer wait for a hearing date.

What does NSW law say about drink and drug driving?

Reading or charge (first offence)	Licence after conviction	Maximum penalty
Novice (above zero for L/P/unlicensed), special (0.02 to under 0.05, e.g. heavy vehicle, bus, taxi) or low range (0.05 to under 0.08), s 110(1)–(3)	6 months automatic; the court may order a shorter period, not less than 3 months (s 205)	20 penalty units ($2,200)
Middle range (0.08 to under 0.15), s 110(4)	Mandatory interlock order: 3 to 6 months off, then at least 12 months on an interlock licence (ss 210–211)	20 penalty units and/or 9 months' imprisonment
High range (0.15 or more), s 110(5)	Mandatory interlock order: 6 to 9 months off, then at least 24 months on an interlock licence	30 penalty units ($3,300) and/or 18 months' imprisonment
Illicit drug present, s 111(1)	6 months automatic; may be reduced to not less than 3 months (s 205)	20 penalty units ($2,200)

Higher maximums and longer periods apply to second or subsequent offences. See NSW drink driving penalties and drug driving offences and penalties.

There is no work licence in NSW for these offences. During a disqualification you cannot drive at all. The magistrate can take the effect on your work into account when setting the period within the legal range.

The interlock is mandatory for middle range, high range and other mandatory interlock offences. The only way around it is an interlock exemption order under s 212, on narrow grounds, and an exemption brings a longer disqualification. Our NSW alcohol interlock guide explains the device and the program.

A section 10 is possible but never automatic. Under s 10 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) the court may dismiss the charge or make a conditional release order without conviction. Section 203 of the Road Transport Act rules it out if you have received a section 10 for another applicable offence in the previous 5 years. See no conviction for drink driving.

A penalty notice still counts. A penalty notice for a first low range, novice, special range or drug presence offence is not a conviction, but under s 9 it counts when deciding whether a later offence is a second offence within 5 years.

Roadside suspensions are hard to lift. For middle range, high range and other serious charges, police can issue an immediate suspension notice under s 224. The Local Court can set it aside on appeal only if there are exceptional circumstances (s 268(5)). See licence suspension appeals.

Drug presence does not require impairment. Under s 111, the offence is proved by the presence of THC, methylamphetamine, MDMA or cocaine in oral fluid, blood or urine. Impairment is relevant to the separate charge of driving under the influence under s 112.

What licence options exist in NSW? In summary, and subject to the sections above:

Before court: if police issued an immediate suspension, the only route back to driving before the charge is decided is an appeal to the Local Court, which succeeds only in exceptional circumstances (s 268(5)).
At sentence: for novice, special, low range and drug presence offences, the court can order a disqualification shorter than the automatic period, but not below the minimum (s 205). If no conviction is recorded under s 10, no disqualification follows from a conviction.
After a mandatory interlock disqualification: the person must hold an interlock licence and drive only a vehicle fitted with an approved interlock for the minimum interlock period (ss 210–211).
Exemption: an interlock exemption order under s 212 is available only on narrow grounds and replaces the interlock period with a longer disqualification.

Licence questions at Queanbeyan

The Queanbeyan calendar shows no separate Transport for NSW list. If you appeal a NSW police suspension, the registry gives it a date within the Queanbeyan sittings. A NSW suspension or disqualification is about your right to drive in New South Wales; how an interstate licensing authority treats it is a separate question. See licence suspension appeals for how an appeal works.

What to bring on the day at Queanbeyan

Lists start at 9.30am unless stated otherwise. The Monday list is the busiest of the week, combining the charge list, DV&AVO, the general list and Children's Court, with DPP matters added in week 1. The Tuesday of week 2 adds a Commonwealth list and general list matters to the traffic list. The registry counter closes from 1pm to 2pm, so plan any counter visit around lunch.

On the day, bring:

your court attendance notice or bail papers, and photo ID;
your licence, or the suspension notice police gave you;
your sentencing material in a folder, with a copy for the court;
a way home that doesn't involve you driving, because a disqualification ordered by the court can take effect from the day of sentence.

If you're coming from Canberra, allow for traffic on Canberra Avenue or the Kings Highway, and don't plan to drive yourself home if a disqualification could start that day.

Preparing for court at Queanbeyan

Material that is organised in advance is easier for a magistrate to take in than an explanation from memory. People commonly hand up:

their NSW driving record;
a certificate of completion for the Traffic Offenders Program, if they've done one;
two or three signed character references whose writers acknowledge the charge;
a letter from their employer about the driving the job needs;
any medical or counselling reports relevant to the offence.

If you work in the ACT, ask your employer for a letter that explains the commute and any driving the role needs. The magistrate is weighing the practical effect of a NSW disqualification on you.

If the facts are disputed, for example who was driving or whether the test was done within the legal time, see drink driving defences. Our NSW court process guide walks through each appearance. This is general information, not advice about your own matter.

How Boorman Lawyers can assist

Joshua Boorman has been admitted since 2008 and acts in drink driving, drug driving and DUI matters across New South Wales. For Queanbeyan Local and District Court, Boorman Lawyers can review the police facts and your driving record, explain the disqualification and interlock rules that apply, prepare your sentencing material and represent you at the mention, plea or hearing. Depending on the listing and the date, Joshua appears in person, by AVL where the court allows it, or through an arrangement with a town agent. Boorman Lawyers does not have an office in Queanbeyan, and in-person attendance is arranged case by case.

Call 1300 941 900 or make an enquiry about legal representation.

Which courts are near Queanbeyan?

Goulburn Local Court – north on the circuit. See Goulburn drink driving charges.
Cooma Local Court – south on the Monaro Highway. See Cooma DUI matters.

See all NSW courts we attend.

DUI court videos

We do not yet have a video from Queanbeyan Local and District Court itself. The video below is from our nearest court with a video: Moss Vale Local Court, about 136 km away (straight-line distance).

Moss Vale DUI Lawyers represent repeated Drink Driving offender – video from Moss Vale Local Court, our nearest court with a video (about 136 km from Queanbeyan Local and District Court)

What clients say

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

Queanbeyan drink driving FAQs

I live in Canberra. Is my Queanbeyan charge under ACT law?

No. A charge laid by NSW Police for an offence in NSW is decided under NSW law at a NSW court.

Will a NSW disqualification stop me driving in the ACT?

A NSW disqualification applies in NSW and other licensing authorities are notified. Ask about the effect on your ACT licence before you plead.

Which day is the traffic list at Queanbeyan?

On the 2026 calendar the traffic list (TL) runs on Tuesday of week 2. New charges are also called in the Monday list.

What are Queanbeyan's registry hours?

9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm, Monday to Friday. Phones 8.30am to 4.30pm.

Is Queanbeyan also a District Court?

Yes. The official listing names it Queanbeyan Local and District Court.

Is my Cooma or Yass matter heard at Queanbeyan?

No. Cooma and Yass have their own sittings on the Queanbeyan circuit, and Goulburn sits on both the Queanbeyan and Goulburn circuits.

Which week is the full Queanbeyan week?

Week 4 on the 2026 calendar, Monday to Friday.

Does Queanbeyan have AVL?

Yes. Queanbeyan, Goulburn, Cooma and Yass all have AVL and remote witness facilities on this circuit.

Is there a work licence for a NSW drink driving disqualification?

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

Sources and date checked

Local Court of NSW – Court locations (Queanbeyan), localcourt.nsw.gov.au – checked 30 Oct 2026
Local Court of NSW – Sitting and Listing Arrangements 2026 (Version 7, last updated 15 May 2026) – checked 30 Oct 2026
Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW) – ss 9, 110, 111, 112, 203, 205, 210–212, 224, 268 – checked 30 Oct 2026 (currency re-checked 30 Oct 2026)
Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) – s 10 – checked 30 Oct 2026 (currency re-checked 30 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.

Queanbeyan Local and District Court — court details

Queanbeyan Local and District Court

Street: 2 Farrer Place, Queanbeyan NSW 2620
Postal: 2 Farrer Place, Queanbeyan NSW 2620
Phone: 1300 679 272 · Fax (02) 6298 0480
Registry hours: 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm
Phone hours: 8.30am to 4.30pm
Days open: Monday to Friday
Facilities: AVL and remote witness facilities
Circuit: Queanbeyan circuit, which includes Cooma, Goulburn and Yass (effective August 2025)

➜ Get directions

Sitting pattern (2026 Sitting and Listing Arrangements): Queanbeyan sits on Monday and Tuesday of weeks 1 to 3 and all week in week 4. The Monday list carries the charge list, DV&AVO and the general charges list; the traffic list (TL) is on Tuesday of week 2. In the rest of weeks 1 to 3 the magistrate is in Cooma, Goulburn or Yass. Weeks are counted from the first Monday of each month. The Local Court notes the number of courts is a guide only and can change at short notice, so check the NSW Online Court List before your date.

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