A work licence application at Cleveland
In this Cleveland work licence case study, Joshua Boorman appeared at Cleveland Magistrates Court, in the Brisbane region, on a section 87 restricted work licence application. The client had pleaded guilty to low range drink driving with a reading of 0.072.
A stock standard offence
Joshua describes the offence as a relatively stock standard drink driving matter. The client finished work, went to a friend’s business and had four beers in 2 hours. He felt fine and decided to drive home, and was pulled over for a random breath test on the way.
There was nothing aggravating about it. He was the sole occupant, he was not driving erratically, he cooperated with police and he entered an early plea of guilty.
What muddied the waters
This was his fourth drink driving offence. Joshua says he had a shocking record in his early adult life, but about 14 years had passed since his last DUI, and he is now 37.
You cannot change the past or what is on your record, Joshua notes. But he submitted that this behaviour was out of character for how the client has carried himself in recent years, and that the offence was not going to kick off a new pattern of reoffending.
Cleveland work licence case study: how Joshua Boorman prepared the application
- He completed the Traffic Offenders Program.
- He obtained very good, strong character references.
- He provided the usual affidavit from his employer and his own affidavit, which Joshua explains are required for a section 87 application.
The work licence
The magistrate received the case well and granted the work licence, with these conditions:
- driving for work from Monday to Saturday, 6 am to 7 pm;
- passengers only if they are employed by the company or are clients of the business;
- he must be in his work uniform; and
- no logbook was required in this case, although Joshua notes some orders do require one.
The work licence runs for 2 months. Joshua explains that after that, the client goes onto a probationary licence for 12 months, with 4 demerit points and a zero blood alcohol limit. He was also fined $800.
What this case shows
Older offences do not necessarily rule out a work licence, as long as the person meets the eligibility rules. Good affidavit material and references let the client keep his job and his income through the Christmas period. Every case is different, and eligibility depends on the person’s history and circumstances.
Key general information (QLD)
General information only, not legal advice, as at October 2026. Every case turns on its own facts.
- Drink driving offences: In Queensland, drink driving offences are set out in the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 (Qld).
- The broad penalty picture: TMR describes a 24-hour suspension where the reading is under 0.10, and an immediate suspension, lasting until the charge is dealt with, for mid and high range charges and some other situations.
- Work licences: Queensland has a “restricted licence”, commonly called a work licence, under section 87 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995.
- Sentencing and convictions: Alongside the disqualification set under the road transport laws, the general sentencing law in Queensland is the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 (Qld).
- The court process: Drink and drug driving charges in Queensland are dealt with in the Magistrates Court.
Further reading and related videos
Boorman Lawyers has more on appearing at Cleveland, restricted work licences in Queensland and the Queensland Traffic Offenders Program. Its Queensland site covers drink driving matters across Queensland.
On this site, see a Beenleigh work licence case and a Brisbane low range matter, or browse all Queensland and drink driving videos.
For people who are preparing to plead guilty without a lawyer, DIY DUI’s Cleveland page covers the local court and 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.)
