QUEENSLAND

Noosa DUI Lawyers

In shortBoorman Lawyers are experienced, dedicated drink driving, drug driving and DUI lawyers who regularly appear at Noosa Magistrates Court and represent clients facing alcohol, drug and serious traffic charges at this courthouse. Noosa Magistrates Court at 1 Langura Street, Noosa Heads, lists arrests, remands and section 87 work licence applications at 9am on Tuesdays, and long pleas on the 4th Friday. The court closes from 21 December 2026 to 1 January 2027, so plan any adjournment around that break. We assist clients at Noosa Magistrates Court by appearing at court mentions, guilty pleas and sentencing hearings, preparing comprehensive sentencing submissions and character reference material, advising on compulsory licence disqualification periods and mandatory alcohol interlock rules under Queensland law, and preparing section 87 restricted work licence and special hardship order applications.

  • Court: Noosa Magistrates Court, 1 Langura Street, Noosa Heads Qld 4567. Phone (07) 5473 2200. Registry 8.30am to 4.30pm weekdays.
  • Listings (2026 calendar): arrests, remands, s 87 and special hardship applications on Tuesdays at 9am; long pleas at 9am on the 4th Friday.
  • Closure: the court is closed from 21 December 2026 to 1 January 2027.

Queensland law · law checked 20 Oct 2026

Noosa Magistrates Court courthouse – Boorman Lawyers
What's on this page

What happens, step by step, after a Noosa charge?

A drink or drug driving matter at Noosa usually moves through six steps. The table gives the overview, and each step is explained below.

Step Where What is decided
1. The roadside test Where you were stopped, or the police station Whether you are charged, and whether your licence is suspended now
2. The weeks before court At home Your plea, your evidence and any work licence application
3. The first Tuesday list Noosa Magistrates Court, 9am Plea, adjournment or sentence
4. A long plea or a hearing Noosa, on a set date A contested sentence or a not guilty hearing
5. Sentence Noosa Fine, disqualification and any work licence
6. Getting back on the road Transport and Main Roads Probationary licence and any interlock

Step 1: what happens at the roadside?

Police can require a driver to give a roadside breath specimen (TORUM s 80). If the roadside test is positive, you will be asked for a breath analysis on an approved device. Your licence status then depends on the result under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 (TORUM) s 79B:

  • under 0.10: a 24-hour suspension, then you can drive until court;
  • 0.10 or more, failing to give a specimen, or a pending drink driving charge: suspended until the charge is decided.

A positive saliva test for a relevant drug is a separate charge, and it does not need any impairment. Our QLD drug driving guide explains it. You will leave with a Notice to Appear naming the court and date.

Step 2: what should you do before the first Tuesday?

Use the gap well. If you are suspended until court, ask whether you fall within the narrow categories for a s 79E order. Then:

  • read the police facts when you get them and note anything inaccurate;
  • book a Traffic Offenders Program, if you plan to plead guilty;
  • ask two or three people who know about the charge for references;
  • decide whether a work licence is possible, and if so, start the affidavits.

If you think the testing was wrong, read our guide to Queensland drink driving defences before you decide on a plea.

Step 3: what happens at the first Tuesday list?

Under the 2026 calendar, arrests, remands, section 87 work licence applications and special hardship applications are listed at 9am on Tuesdays. The remaining 2026 Tuesdays are 27 October, 3, 10, 17 and 24 November, and 1, 8 and 15 December. At this first date you can:

  • plead guilty and be sentenced, if your material is ready;
  • ask for an adjournment to finish preparing;
  • plead not guilty, so the matter is set down for a hearing.

The court closes from 21 December 2026 to 1 January 2027. An adjournment late in the year may carry your matter into January, and any suspension until court continues during that time. Check the Noosa 2026 calendar and follow your notice.

Step 4: when is a long plea or hearing needed?

If your sentence will take more time, for example because there was a crash or you have a record, it may go to the long plea list at 9am on the 4th Friday of the month. In 2026 that is 23 October and 27 November. If you plead not guilty, the court sets a hearing date, and the police witnesses are called. The court process guide explains each type of listing.

Step 5: what can the magistrate order at sentence?

Disqualification is mandatory on every drink driving conviction (TORUM s 86), whether or not a conviction is recorded. A penalty unit is $172.70 from 1 July 2026. First-offence ranges:

Charge Reading Disqualification Maximum
No alcohol limit Over 0 for learners, P-platers and some others 3 to 9 months 20 units ($3,454) or 3 months
General alcohol limit 0.05 to under 0.10 2 to 9 months 20 units ($3,454) or 3 months
Middle alcohol limit 0.10 to under 0.15 3 to 12 months 28 units ($4,835) or 6 months
Under the influence, or failing to give a specimen 0.15 or more, or impaired At least 6 months 40 units ($6,908) or 9 months

If you are eligible, the court can make a s 87 order for a restricted (work) licence instead of an ordinary disqualification. You need an open Queensland licence, a reading under 0.15, no driving for work or in a truck, tractor or bus at the time, and no licence sanction or drink or drug driving conviction in the past 5 years. You must then prove extreme hardship to your livelihood and that you are fit and proper (TMR – restricted licence). The application is made after the finding of guilt and before disqualification. Our DUI restricted work licence guide covers it.

Special hardship applications share the Tuesday list but relate to other suspensions, not a court-ordered drink driving disqualification. More detail is in our QLD drink driving penalties guide.

Step 6: how do you get back on the road?

When the disqualification ends, you reapply and return on a probationary licence for at least a year. At 0.10 or more, for under the influence, for failing to give a specimen, or for a second offence within 5 years, the interlock applies for 12 months (TORUM ss 91I and 91N). A restricted licence for a middle alcohol limit offence also carries the interlock condition (s 91K). Our QLD alcohol interlock guide covers fitting and costs.

Visiting Noosa on an interstate licence?

Queensland law applies to a charge laid in Queensland, and the case is heard at the court on your notice. A Queensland disqualification stops you driving in Queensland. How it affects your home licence is a question for your own licensing authority. If you are going home before your court date, organise how you will attend.

Which courts are near Noosa?

Pomona is about 21 km away, Nambour about 27 km and Maroochydore about 29 km. Attend the court named on your notice. For statewide information, see Queensland traffic law.

Short Video Insight

A quick Noosa-relevant insight on preparation and sentencing themes. See more at BoormanLawyers.tv .

Boorman Lawyers – Noosa case insight This outcome was reported before 31 August 2026, when Queensland drink driving penalties changed, so the penalties discussed here may not reflect current law.

Queensland penalty changes in 2026: check your offence date (law checked 20 Oct 2026).

Offences on or after 31 August 2026: higher maximum fines apply. They are 20 penalty units ($3,454) for the general alcohol limit and no alcohol limit offences, 28 ($4,835.60) for the middle alcohol limit and 40 ($6,908) for driving under the influence of liquor or a drug. A first general alcohol limit conviction (0.05 to under 0.10) on an open licence now carries 2 to 9 months' disqualification. For offences before 31 August 2026 it was 1 to 9 months. Police can now give an eligible first low-range driver on an open Queensland licence an infringement notice of $1,295 instead of a court charge. Unless the driver elects to go to court, a 2-month disqualification follows. It counts as a conviction, and there is no work licence for that period. Drug driving (a relevant drug present) has not changed yet. The maximum is 14 penalty units ($2,417.80) or 3 months, with 1 to 9 months' disqualification on an open licence and 3 to 9 months for learner, P-plate and unlicensed drivers.

Offences on or after 1 December 2026: minimum fines start for drink and drug driving. For example, the minimum is 7.5 penalty units for low range and for drug driving. The drug driving maximum rises to 28 penalty units, and a first offence on an open licence carries 2 to 9 months' disqualification. A new offence of driving with a relevant drug present while over an alcohol limit adds 1 month to the disqualification range.

An offence committed before a change is generally dealt with under the penalties in force when it happened. Sources: TORUM ss 78E, 79, 79B, 79H–79J and 86, as amended by the Queensland Community Safety Act 2024 and the Transport and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2026. Penalty unit $172.70 from 1 July 2026.

Noosa drink driving FAQs

Which day are drink driving matters listed at Noosa?

Under the 2026 calendar, arrests, remands and work licence applications are listed at 9am on Tuesdays. Long pleas are on the 4th Friday of the month.

Is Noosa court open over Christmas?

No. The court is closed from 21 December 2026 to 1 January 2027. Matters adjourned near the end of the year will be listed after the break.

Can I get a work licence if I hold an interstate licence?

No. A s 87 order requires an open Queensland licence at the time of the offence.

I'm going home interstate. Do I have to come back for court?

Your Notice to Appear requires you, or a lawyer for you, to appear on the date. Get advice early about how your matter can be dealt with; do not simply ignore the date.

Does a drug presence charge mean I was impaired?

No. Driving with a relevant drug present is an offence even if you were not affected. It is a different charge from driving under the influence.

Noosa Magistrates Court — court details

Noosa Magistrates Court

Street
1 Langura Street, Noosa Heads QLD 4567
Postal
PO Box 851, Noosa Qld 4567
Phone
(07) 5473 2200
Email
courthouse.noosa@justice.qld.gov.au
Registry hours
8.30am – 4.30pm Monday to Friday
➜ Get directions

Queensland Courts, Magistrates Courts directory (saved 19 Oct 2026) and Noosa Magistrates Court 2026 calendar (checked 20 Oct 2026). These are the court registry's details, not Boorman Lawyers office details. Check your court papers for your listing time and courtroom.

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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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