NEW SOUTH WALES

Waverley DUI Lawyers

In shortBoorman Lawyers are experienced, dedicated drink driving, drug driving and DUI lawyers who regularly appear at Waverley Local Court and represent clients facing alcohol, drug and serious traffic charges at this courthouse. Waverley Local Court at 151 Bronte Road hears drink and drug driving charges from Bondi, Randwick and the wider Eastern Suburbs, Monday to Friday. We assist clients at Waverley 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: Waverley Local Court, 151 Bronte Road, Waverley NSW 2024. Phone 1300 679 272. Registry 9am–4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Post: PO Box 134, Waverley NSW 2024.
Law: s 205 disqualification is automatic on conviction; interlock is compulsory from 0.08; there is no work licence in NSW.

New South Wales law · law checked 20 Oct 2026

Call 1300 941 900 Make an enquiry about legal representation

Waverley Local Court courthouse – Boorman Lawyers

What's on this page

Which drink driving beliefs fail in the Eastern Suburbs?

Most of the common ones. The six below are each tested with a short, made-up example. The pattern is the same every time: once a conviction is recorded at Waverley, the licence goes automatically; an interlock follows from 0.08; and there is no work licence to fall back on.

"Uber and taxis aside, everyone has the same 0.05 limit"

Verdict: False.

Test case: Sam, on P-plates, has one beer at a Coogee pub and is tested on Arden Street at 0.015. Sam's friend Alex, a rideshare driver, is tested the same night at 0.03 after finishing a shift.

Both are charged. Sam is over the zero limit for learner and provisional drivers (novice range). Alex, as a public passenger vehicle driver, is over the 0.02 special-range limit. Under s 110 of the Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW), each faces the same 6-month automatic disqualification on conviction as a full licence holder at 0.05.

"Walking home from Bondi, then driving the next day, is safe"

Verdict: Partly.

Test case: Jordan leaves a Campbell Parade bar at 1am, walks home, sleeps, and drives to work at 7am. A random breath test on Old South Head Road reads 0.06.

Walking home was right. Driving six hours later was not, if alcohol was still in the system. The ranges do not change with the time of day. Jordan faces a low range charge, or a penalty notice if police choose that for a first offence.

"If they let me drive away, I keep my licence until court"

Verdict: Only below 0.08.

Test case: Taylor is stopped in Double Bay at 0.12. Police give an immediate suspension notice under s 224 and Taylor catches a taxi home.

From that moment Taylor cannot drive until the charge is finished. A suspension can be appealed under s 268, but only if the court finds exceptional circumstances; see suspension appeals. For readings under 0.08, police usually do not suspend at the roadside.

"A good lawyer can stop the disqualification"

Verdict: Only by avoiding a conviction.

Test case: Morgan, at 0.07 with a clean record, pleads guilty at Waverley with references and a program certificate.

If the magistrate convicts, s 205 disqualifies Morgan automatically for 6 months, which the court may reduce to 3. The only way to avoid the disqualification is a non-conviction order under s 10 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act: a dismissal or a conditional release order without conviction. That is a discretion, used more rarely as readings rise, and s 203 rules out a second one within five years for a major offence. See s 10 for drink driving and the traffic offenders program.

"Interlocks are only for people with a history"

Verdict: False.

Test case: Riley, first offence, is convicted of mid range PCA at 0.09.

Riley serves the disqualification, then must hold an interlock licence and drive only a car fitted with an approved device for at least 12 months. For high range, DUI or refusal the minimum is 24 months. Sections 209–211 make the order compulsory; only a s 212 exemption avoids it, at the price of a longer disqualification. See NSW interlock rules.

"A positive drug test means nothing if I wasn't high"

Verdict: False.

Test case: Casey smoked cannabis two nights earlier and returns a positive saliva test on Bondi Road.

Presence of THC, methylamphetamine, MDMA or cocaine is an offence under s 111 without any impairment. A first offence can bring a penalty notice: a fine and a 3-month suspension without a conviction. In court it carries a 6-month automatic disqualification. See drug driving penalties.

What are the real first-offence figures?

Reading or charge	Off the road (minimum)	Interlock	Most the court can fine (jail)
Novice, special, low range; drug present	6 months (3)	–	$2,200
0.08 to under 0.15	6 months (3)	12 months+	$2,200 (9 months)
0.15+, DUI, refusal	12 months (6)	24 months+	$3,300 (18 months)

A second offence within five years (s 9) roughly doubles these and brings an interlock at every level. There is no work licence in NSW, and driving while disqualified is a separate charge (disqualified driving). Second-offence figures: NSW penalties.

Can a Waverley charge be fought?

Where the evidence allows. Breath analysis generally must occur within two hours of driving under Schedule 3 procedures, and whether you were the driver can be tested. Read PCA defences and the DUI court process; related charges are on other traffic offences and drink driving offences.

What are Waverley Local Court's details?

151 Bronte Road, Waverley NSW 2024. Postal PO Box 134, Waverley NSW 2024. Phone 1300 679 272; fax (02) 9367 1966. Registry 9am to 4.30pm; telephone 8.30am to 4.30pm; Monday to Friday. AVL facilities are in Courtrooms 1 and 2. The court is within walking distance of Bondi Junction; allow time for security screening.

Which courts are near Waverley?

Downing Centre Local Court – about 5 km west.
Newtown drink driving charges – about 6 km south-west.
Manly DUI matters – about 11 km north.

All locations: NSW courts we attend. Questions: NSW traffic law FAQs. Call 1300 941 900 or make an enquiry about legal representation.

Watch: NSW DUI Case Reviews & Sentencing Insights

These short videos outline what to expect on a first appearance, common sentencing factors for drink and drug driving, and how focused preparation can move your matter toward a better outcome at Waverley Local Court.

Boorman Lawyers – NSW DUI Case Review 1

Boorman Lawyers – NSW DUI Case Review 2

Boorman Lawyers – NSW DUI Case Review 3

What clients say

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

Waverley drink driving FAQs

What is the limit for P-platers?

Zero. Any alcohol is a novice range offence.

Can police suspend my licence on the spot?

Yes, at 0.08 or more, for DUI or for refusing a test.

Is a first mid range interlock compulsory?

Yes, unless the court makes an exemption order.

Does a drug presence charge need proof I was affected?

No. Detection of the drug is enough under s 111.

Is there a work licence in NSW?

No.

What are Waverley's registry hours?

9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Phone 1300 679 272.

Sources and date checked

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

Local Court of NSW – Court locations W (Waverley) — 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.

Waverley Local Court — court details

Waverley Local Court

Street: 151 Bronte Road, Waverley NSW 2024
Postal: PO Box 134, Waverley NSW 2024
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 Courtrooms 1 and 2

➜ Get directions

Local Court of NSW, Court locations – W (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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