What counts as low range: Queensland low range drink driving penalties
In this Queensland low range drink driving penalties video, Josh Boorman of Boorman Lawyers explains the penalties and the low range category. For a person on a full open licence, he says the limit is 0.050. A reading at that level or higher, but less than 0.100, puts the person into the low range category. (The captions give the lower figure as “0.00”; this is marked as unclear in the stored transcript.)
Josh warns that many people think a low range offence is just a slap on the wrist, maybe with some time off the road. He says it is no joke: drink driving in Queensland carries a possible maximum penalty that includes prison time.
A first offence
For a first low range offence, Josh says the maximum penalty is three months in prison and/or a financial penalty of 14 penalty units. He notes that prison does not generally happen for most cases. Every case is dealt with on its own facts, the court will always look for other penalties and avenues, and prison is a penalty of last resort. But the maximum is there.
On a finding or plea of guilty, Josh explains that the court is obliged to disqualify the person’s licence. For a first low range offence, he says the disqualification can be anywhere from one month, which is the minimum the court can give, through to nine months.
A second offence
If a person is charged with a low range offence and it is their second offence within the last five years, Josh says the maximum penalty is six months in prison or a financial penalty of 20 penalty units. The disqualification period also increases. He says the minimum becomes three months and the maximum 18 months.
A third offence
Where a person has two prior drink driving convictions in the last five years, Josh says a further low range offence is treated as a third offence. He describes a maximum penalty of nine months’ imprisonment and a maximum of 28 penalty units. The disqualification period is still anywhere between three months and 18 months.
He stresses that each matter is dealt with case by case. The person’s history, the facts and their character are all things the court considers when deciding what penalty to hand down.
Work licences for first-time low range offenders
Josh explains that if a person has been charged with a first low range offence and has had no prior suspensions or disqualifications in the last five years, they may be eligible to apply for a section 87 work licence. He points out that there are a number of strict eligibility criteria, and that it is important to know whether a person is eligible before going down that path. He covers the application process in another video.
Key points from this Queensland low range drink driving penalties video
Josh’s message is that a low range charge is more serious than many people assume. The court must disqualify the licence, the maximum penalties include imprisonment, and the consequences increase for a second or third offence within five years.
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 0.05 or more but under 0.10, TMR lists a maximum term of imprisonment of 3 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, avoiding a conviction for drink driving in Queensland and work licences after drink driving. Its Queensland DUI site covers drink driving matters across Queensland.
On this site, see Josh’s explainer on mid range drink driving, an Ipswich low range case and a Bundaberg low range case, 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.)
