You’re a tradie. You rely on your licence every single day — to get to job sites, pick up materials from Bunnings or the supplier, tow a trailer, drive a work ute between jobs. Then one morning you get pulled over on the way to a job and blow over the limit from the night before. Suddenly your entire livelihood is on the line.
This is one of the most common situations we see at our firm. Tradespeople across Queensland — sparkies, chippies, plumbers, concreters, painters, fencing contractors, landscapers — make up a significant portion of our drink driving clients. The reason is simple: tradies often rely heavily on driving for work, and the consequences of losing a licence hit harder and faster than almost any other job.
You held a current Queensland open licence at the time of the offence. Your BAC reading was below 0.150 (that is, low range or mid range only). You were not driving for work at the time you were caught. You have not had a drink driving conviction, licence suspension, or disqualification in the last five years. You have not previously been granted a work licence in the last five years.
You cannot get a work licence if:
Your reading was 0.150 or above (high range / DUI). You held a provisional or learner licence. You were driving a vehicle subject to the zero alcohol limit for work (heavy vehicle, taxi). You refused or failed to provide a breath or blood sample. You have a prior drink driving conviction or suspension within the last five years.
The Tradie-Specific Work Licence Trap
There is an important eligibility rule that catches many tradies off guard: you cannot apply for a work licence if you were driving for work at the time you were charged.
However, there are exceptions. If driving is not the primary component of your job — for example, you are a labourer who drives to a work site, or a fencing contractor who picks up materials to use on site — you may still be eligible. The distinction is between someone whose job is driving (delivery driver, courier, truck driver) versus someone who drives to and for their job (electrician, plumber, carpenter). Most tradies fall into the second category and can still apply.
What a Work Licence Application Requires
Self-Employed Tradies
Alcohol Interlocks — What Happens When You Get Your Licence Back
What Interlocks Mean for Tradies
Yes. In Queensland, a period of disqualification is mandatory for all drink driving convictions. Even a first-time low range offence carries a minimum 1-month disqualification. However, if you are eligible, a work licence may allow you to keep driving for work purposes during that period.
I'm a subcontractor — can I still get a work licence?
I drive a company vehicle — what happens with the interlock?
Can I get a work licence for a high range reading?
I got caught on the way to a job site at 6am — was I driving for work?
How much does a drink driving lawyer cost?
At Driving Law, we charge a fixed fee quoted upfront. For a first-time drink driving guilty plea the fee is $2,750. A work licence application (which includes the guilty plea) is $2,990. See our full pricing page for details.
Talk to Us
If you are a tradie charged with drink driving in Queensland, the most important thing you can do is get advice before your court date. We handle drink driving matters in every court in South East Queensland — from Southport to Hervey Bay, Brisbane to Ipswich, Caboolture to Maroochydore, and every court in between.
Since 2010 we have helped thousands of Queenslanders through drink driving charges. We handle everything — we’ll prepare your work licence affidavits, represent you in court, and make the submissions that give you the best chance of keeping your livelihood.
Call us on 1300 952 255 — 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week. Or request a free callback and we will get back to you at a time that suits. You can also book a free 15-minute phone conference directly.
This article is general information only and not legal advice. It is written subject to our disclaimer. Liability limited by a scheme approved under professional standards legislation.
For advice about your own situation, speak with our drink driving lawyers — call 1300 952 255, 7am–7pm, 7 days.
Charged and unsure what this means for you? This article is general information, not legal advice. For advice on your
exact situation, call 1300 952 255 — free, 7am–7pm, 7 days — or visit our drink driving page.