What counts as mid range: Queensland mid range drink driving penalties
In this Queensland mid range drink driving penalties video, Josh Boorman of Boorman Lawyers explains the penalties and the mid range category. He describes it as a blood alcohol concentration reading from 0.100 through to 0.149. In other words, anything at or above 0.100 but below 0.150 falls into the mid range category.
Josh explains that whether an offence counts as a first, second or third offence depends on what has happened in the previous five years. A first offence means the person has no prior drink driving convictions within the last five years.
A first offence
For a first mid range offence, Josh says the maximum penalty is up to six months in prison, with a financial penalty of 20 penalty units. He notes that, depending on the seriousness of the matter, most first-time offenders will not be at risk of going to jail. But the power is there. The maximum penalty includes time in prison, and he stresses that drink driving is treated as a serious matter, both in the eyes of the community and by the court.
On licence disqualification, Josh explains that a first mid range offence carries a disqualification of anywhere between three and 12 months. Three months is the absolute minimum, and 12 months is the maximum.
A second offence
Josh describes a second offence as one where there is one prior drink driving or major traffic offence in the last five years. He says the court can impose up to six months in prison or 20 penalty units. The minimum disqualification is still three months, but the maximum increases to 18 months off the road.
A third offence
Where a person has two prior drink driving offences in the last five years, Josh says the offence is treated as a third offence. The court can impose a maximum term of imprisonment of nine months, and he refers to a penalty of 28 penalty units. The disqualification range is the same as for a second offence: a minimum of three months and a maximum of 18 months.
Josh emphasises that every matter is dealt with case by case. A person’s traffic record is a significant consideration when the court decides how long the disqualification should be.
Work licences for first-time mid range offenders
Josh explains that if it is a first mid range offence, with no priors in the last five years and no prior licence suspensions of any sort, it may be possible to apply for a section 87 work licence. He notes there are strict eligibility criteria that have to be met. For a person who needs to drive for work, he says it may be something worth finding out more about, and he mentions a separate video on section 87 work licence applications.
Key points from this Queensland mid range drink driving penalties video
Josh’s message is that a mid range offence is a serious charge in Queensland. The maximum penalties include imprisonment, the disqualification ranges grow for repeat offending within five years, and a work licence is only an option for people who meet the strict eligibility rules.
Key general information (QLD)
General information only, not legal advice, as at October 2026. Every case turns on its own facts.
- Alcohol limits: Queensland’s drink driving offences are set out in the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 (Qld). Separate charges also exist for driving under the influence of liquor or a drug, and for failing to provide a breath or blood specimen.
- What TMR says about penalties: For a first offence at 0.10 or more but under 0.15, TMR lists a licence disqualification of 3 to 12 months and a maximum term of imprisonment of 6 months (as at October 2026).
- Alcohol interlocks: According to TMR, the Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program applies to people convicted of “high-risk” drink driving offences.
- Work licences: Queensland has a “restricted licence”, commonly called a work licence, under section 87 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995.
Further reading and related videos
Boorman Lawyers has more on Queensland drink driving penalties, work licences after drink driving and Queensland alcohol interlock laws. Its Queensland DUI site covers drink driving matters across Queensland.
On this site, see Josh’s explainers on low range drink driving, high range drink driving and how to apply for a work licence, or browse all Queensland and drink driving videos.
For people who are preparing to plead guilty without a lawyer, the DIY DUI QLD plea program covers the plea process. (DIY DUI is a self-help program for people preparing their own guilty plea. It is not legal representation and is not part of Boorman Lawyers.)
