If you’ve been charged with high range drink driving, you’re probably reading this late at night, worried about your licence, your job and what happens in court. Take a breath. This page walks you through exactly what a high range charge means in Queensland and what to expect — in plain language.
What “high range” means
High range drink driving is a blood or breath alcohol reading of 0.15 or more. In Queensland it’s charged as driving under the influence of liquor (UIL). It’s the most serious of the drink driving ranges, and it’s dealt with in the Magistrates Court.
The one thing people get wrong: there is no work licence for high range
This is the single most important thing to know, so we’ll say it plainly and early: if you are charged with high range drink driving, you cannot apply for a work licence. A work licence is available for low and mid range drink driving charges, and for driving with a relevant drug present, subject to eligibility — but it is never available for a reading of 0.15 or over. If someone has told you that you can keep driving for work on a high range charge, that is not correct under current Queensland law. (You may also hear the older informal term “limited licence” — that’s just a common name people use for work licences and special hardship orders, and neither is available for high range.)
Because there is no work licence, the length of your disqualification is the main thing that matters — and it’s where careful preparation makes the biggest difference.
The penalties
For a first high range offence:
- Disqualification: a minimum of 6 months, with no upper limit. Where the reading is very high, or there was an accident or other aggravating features, disqualifications are typically longer.
- Maximum fine: 28 penalty units (currently $4,835.60).
- The court can also impose imprisonment in the most serious cases, though for a first offence a fine and disqualification are the usual outcome. Read more about when imprisonment is a risk.
What happens between being charged and going to court
On a high range charge your licence is suspended immediately, and remains suspended until your court date — you cannot drive at all in the meantime. You’ll be given a notice to appear with a court date. Because you can’t drive while you wait, it’s important to get advice quickly and to start preparing. There are practical things you can do before court that the magistrate looks on favourably — and a lawyer will tell you exactly what they are. Here’s what happens at your first court date.
What the court looks at
When deciding your disqualification and fine, the magistrate considers your reading, your traffic history, the circumstances of the offence, and your personal situation — your work, your family, and steps you’ve taken since (such as a traffic offender program). Presenting these well is what a lawyer does on the day.
The interlock afterwards
After your disqualification ends, you’ll be required to drive with an alcohol ignition interlock fitted to your vehicle for a set period before you can return to an ordinary licence Here’s how interlocks work.
What a traffic lawyer actually does
On a high range matter, a lawyer reviews the charge and your traffic history, advises you on what to prepare, deals with the police prosecutor, and speaks for you in court — putting your circumstances to the magistrate so the disqualification and fine sit at the appropriate end of the range. We run high range matters on a fixed fee of $2,750, quoted before you commit. See our high range drink driving page for detail.
You don’t have to work this out alone
If you’re facing a high range charge, call us on 1300 952 255, 7am–7pm, seven days. We’ll tell you honestly what to expect for your reading and circumstances.