In Australia, drivers are categorized according to the type of license they are holding and the type of the vehicles they are driving. One of these is the high range drink driving which is having a prescribed alcohol content of 0.149 or higher.

In NSW, it is a very serious matter when arrested for a high range drink driving. The penalty that will be imposed are fine in the amount of $3, 500 if committed for the first time and $5, 500 if committed for the second or subsequent time and imprisonment of 18 months for the first time offenders and 2 years for the recidivists. Aside from fine and imprisonment, automatic license disqualification is also imposed, the duration of which varies according to the surrounding circumstances. But mostly, it is imposed for a period of three years with the possibility of its reduction by the Magistrate if the offender is a first time high range drink driving offender.

The three year license disqualification period may be reduced to a minimum of 12 months. However, for recidivists, the maximum period that will be imposed for their automatic license disqualification is 5 years and the magistrate has the discretion to reduce it to a minimum of 2 years imprisonment which is also referred to as jail time.

The offense of high range drink driving is committed not only while driving a heavy vehicle but it is also committed while occupying the driver’s seat and attempting to put the heavy vehicle in motion while there is present of alcohol content in the driver’s blood exceeding the limit prescribed by the law. It is also committed if the holder of a driver’s license other than provisional or learner driver’s license is seated next to a learner driver who is driving the motor vehicle while having in his or her blood prescribed alcohol content of 0.149 or higher.

If you are charged with drink driving offences, it is recommended that you seek legal assistance. This article is just a summary of the subject matter being discussed and should not be regarded as a comprehensive legal advice for you to defend yourself alone. Please contact our drink driving lawyers , drink driving lawyers Sydney , drink driving lawyers Brisbane, drink driving lawyers Gold Coast, drink driving lawyers Sunshine Coast, drink driving lawyers Adelaide, drink driving lawyers Perth, drink driving lawyers Newcastle,