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Traffic law · Melbourne

Drink driving lawyers in Melbourne

Charged with drink driving? Understand your licence risk, court options and next steps before you decide how to respond.

Licence risk
Suspension or cancellation may apply depending on the offence.

Alcohol interlock
An interlock condition may apply when you return to driving.

Court
Some drink driving matters are dealt with in the Magistrates’ Court.

Act early
Get advice before entering a plea or making an important election.

Start here

You've been charged. What happens now?

A drink driving charge can put your licence, work, family commitments and future driving at risk. The first step is understanding exactly what you have been charged with and what the evidence says.

Our traffic lawyers review the charge, the circumstances of the stop and the available evidence. We then explain the realistic options for your matter, including the potential licence consequences and what should be prepared before court.

Don’t make the decision based only on the roadside conversation.

The legal position can depend on the precise offence, your BAC reading, your previous history and the evidence relied upon by police.

Your situation

What you may be facing

01

Licence suspension or cancellation

Depending on the offence and circumstances, you may face immediate suspension and later disqualification or cancellation.

02

Fines and court penalties

Drink driving penalties can include fines and, for serious offences, more significant court penalties.

03

Alcohol interlock conditions

If your licence is cancelled or you are otherwise required to use an interlock, there are program requirements you must meet.

04

Behaviour Change Program

A compulsory Behaviour Change Program may be part of the process before you can return to driving.

Charges

Drink driving matters we can help with

Low-range drink driving

Advice and representation for lower-level BAC offences and the licence consequences that may follow.

Medium-range drink driving

Representation where a higher BAC reading creates increased licence and penalty risks.

High-range drink driving

Serious drink driving allegations requiring careful preparation and advice about significant penalties.

Refusing a breath test

Advice where you have been charged with refusing to cooperate with a breath test or related testing requirement.

Repeat drink driving

Previous offences can materially affect the consequences. We assess your history before advising you.

Combined drink & drug driving

Combined offences can attract more serious consequences and require careful advice about the evidence and charge.

Our approach

How we approach a drink driving charge

1

We establish exactly what you are charged with

We review the charge, your licence position, BAC result, previous history and any immediate suspension or court documents.

2

We examine the evidence

We consider the circumstances of the stop, testing process, available police material and any issues that may be relevant to your case.

3

We explain the realistic outcome range

You receive clear advice about the risks, likely process and practical consequences before you make an important decision.

After the charge

Licence, interlock and getting back on the road

Drink driving consequences do not necessarily end when the court matter is finished. Depending on the offence, you may have to complete a Behaviour Change Program, satisfy relicensing requirements and drive with an alcohol interlock.

Alcohol interlock

An alcohol interlock measures alcohol in your breath and can prevent a vehicle from starting when alcohol is detected. Program rules and removal requirements apply.

Licence restoration

Once the relevant cancellation or disqualification period ends, additional relicensing steps may apply. The requirements depend on the offence and when it occurred.

Related traffic matters

Related matters we handle

Licence appeals
Advice about licence suspension and appeal options.

Drug driving
Roadside testing, positive results and related charges.

Speeding & careless driving
Serious speeding and driving offence matters.

All traffic law matters
See the full range of traffic and licence services.

FAQs

Common questions about drink driving

It depends on the offence, your BAC reading, your licence type and your previous history. Victorian drink driving laws provide for licence loss in many circumstances, but the exact consequence depends on the charge. We can assess your particular position before you make a decision about your case.

Victoria does not have a general work licence for drink driving matters. Depending on the circumstances, however, there may be legal options concerning the charge, the evidence or the period of licence loss. We will explain what applies to your matter.

You should understand the charge, evidence and consequences before entering a plea. In some matters an early plea may be appropriate; in others, the evidence or circumstances need to be examined first.

Alcohol interlock requirements apply to many drink driving outcomes in Victoria. The exact requirement depends on the offence and when it occurred. An interlock is a device that measures alcohol on your breath and can prevent the vehicle from starting if alcohol is detected.

Melbourne traffic lawyers

Where we appear

Our office is located on Keilor Road in Niddrie. We assist clients across Melbourne and regularly represent motorists in Magistrates’ Courts including Broadmeadows, Sunshine and Werribee.

Niddrie · Essendon · Moonee Ponds · Airport West · Keilor · Avondale Heights · Broadmeadows · Sunshine · Footscray · Werribee · Melbourne north-west

Talk to us

Speak to a traffic lawyer

Have your charge sheet, infringement notice or suspension notice nearby when you call.


Floor 1, 330 Keilor Rd,

Niddrie VIC 3042

Hundreds of five-star Google reviews.

Already have a court date?

Tell us the date when you contact us so we can understand your timeframe.

Let's protect your licence.

Tell us what traffic offence you have been charged with, and we will tell you where you stand. Clear advice, fixed pricing, and no pressure.