Free phone advice and a free written fixed quote. Published fixed prices
Office
Level 1, 16 McDougall St, Milton QLD 4064
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
A traffic law only firm. Steven Brough started it in 2010 after more than a decade in Queensland Magistrates Courts, and it now has eight offices and a team of traffic lawyers covering 26 courts. It's the only firm on this list that publishes fixed prices on its website, so you can see the cost of a plea, with or without a work licence application, before you call. Phones are answered 7am to 7pm, seven days.
Founded in 2010
Lawyers
No accredited specialists are named on the firm's website.
Steven Brough, Founder and Principal Solicitor
Russell Tannock, Senior Traffic Lawyer
Jacob Pruden, Senior Traffic Lawyer
Sarah Churches-Kennedy, Traffic Lawyer
Will Kennedy, Traffic Lawyer
Ryan Bentley, Traffic Lawyer
Braden Milburn, Traffic Lawyer
Areas of drink driving law handled
Drink driving
High range drink driving
Drug driving
Work licences
Special hardship orders
High speed suspension
Disqualified driving
Dangerous driving
Unlicensed driving
Careless driving
Evading police
Removal of suspension
Office
Level 1, 16 McDougall St, Milton QLD 4064
Other details
Other offices
Gold Coast (Bundall), Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore), North Brisbane (Brendale), Ipswich, Logan (Loganholme), Toowoomba and Hervey Bay (Pialba)
One of the best known criminal defence names in Queensland, and it calls itself the state's largest private criminal law firm. Managing director Cameron Browne is an accredited criminal law specialist, according to the firm's website. Drink driving sits inside a broad traffic practice that handles repeat offences and work licences, and it's a sensible choice if your charge is serious or comes with other charges. The drink driving page offers a free 20 minute consultation, and the firm says it can usually tell you your costs upfront.
Lawyers
The team page lists many criminal lawyers but does not say which of them handle drink driving matters day to day.
Best for People who want a former prosecutor's read on their charge and a detailed work licence application.
Founder Justin Craven started the firm in 2015 after eight years prosecuting for the Queensland Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, according to the firm.
Its work licence page works through section 87 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act, including the five year rules and the mandatory employer affidavit.
The first consultation is free and the firm says it calls back within 15 minutes during business hours.
Free first consultation. Fixed fees for each stage, quoted upfront
Office
Level 34 One Eagle, 1 Eagle Street, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Director Justin Craven leads the firm's criminal law division and, according to the firm, has appeared in the Magistrates, District and Supreme Courts. The drink driving page is one of the most detailed on this list, covering work licences under section 87, failing to provide a sample, repeat offences and interlocks, with its penalty table updated for July 2026. The first consultation is free and the firm aims to call back within 15 minutes in business hours. It usually gives fixed fees for each stage, though it doesn't publish prices.
Founded in 2015
Lawyers
Justin Craven is the only lawyer named on the site; the drink driving page refers to an unnamed team that includes a former prosecutor.
Justin Craven, Founder and Director
Areas of drink driving law handled
Low, mid and high range drink driving
Failing to provide a breath or blood specimen
Repeat drink driving offences
Work licences (section 87)
Special hardship orders
Removal of licence disqualification
Drug driving
Unlicensed driving
Alcohol ignition interlock advice
Traffic offender programs and character references
Other traffic offences
Office
Level 34 One Eagle, 1 Eagle Street, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Other details
Other offices
Gold Coast (Varsity Lakes) and Ipswich (Brookwater), both by appointment
Best for People who want a dedicated drink driving and licence team that appears in courts across South East Queensland.
AW Drink Driving Lawyers is a business name owned by Aitken Whyte Lawyers Pty Ltd and runs as its drink driving, traffic and licence division.
Principal Robert Aitken began in private practice in 1992 and, according to the firm, oversees every client's matter.
The firm says its lawyers often appear from Noosa on the Sunshine Coast to Coolangatta on the Gold Coast, and it charges a fixed fee for most court appearances.
Free consultation. Fixed fee for most court appearances
Office
2/414 Upper Roma Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
The drink driving, traffic and licence division of Aitken Whyte Lawyers, a general Brisbane firm led by principal Robert Aitken, who has been in private practice since 1992. Its lawyers appear in courts from Noosa to Coolangatta, and the service list covers work licences, special hardship orders, drug driving, general traffic offences and removing long disqualifications. It charges a fixed fee for most court appearances and offers a free consultation.
Lawyers
The site does not have a team page and names no other lawyers apart from first names in client reviews.
Robert Aitken, Principal
Areas of drink driving law handled
Drink driving
Drug driving
Work licences
Special hardship orders
Removal of disqualification
Unlicensed and disqualified driving
Dangerous driving
Careless driving
Evading police
Hooning
Office
2/414 Upper Roma Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Other details
Other offices
Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast (phone numbers listed, no street addresses)
Fees quoted case by case. Accepts Legal Aid Queensland work
Office
Level 5, 420 George Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
A criminal, traffic and family law firm on George Street, a short walk from the Brisbane Magistrates Court. Brendan Beavon is the principal, with Peter Russo now a consultant to the firm. Its traffic page goes into more detail than most on interlock exemptions, special hardship orders and section 79E applications, including the 21 day deadline to file. It also takes Legal Aid Queensland work for clients who qualify, which most private firms on this list don't. Fees are quoted case by case.
Lawyers
The team page does not say which lawyers handle traffic matters.
A small practice led by its principal, David Abrey, who started out in the traffic and criminal division of a Brisbane firm before opening his own. If you want the same lawyer from first call to court, a firm this size is more likely to give you that. The drink driving page explains work licence eligibility and when an interlock applies, and the firm offers a free initial consultation.
Lawyers
The site names only the principal and refers to its other traffic lawyers without naming them.
A criminal defence only practice led by director Daniel Hannay, with offices in Fortitude Valley, Southport and Sydney and a 24 hour phone line. In Brisbane, managing solicitor Hugh Stitt regularly handles summary and traffic matters. Its drink driving page is shorter than most here, so ask on the first call how they'd approach a work licence if you need one. The first consultation is free.
Lawyers
Daniel Hannay's profile lists serious criminal work rather than traffic; Hugh Stitt is the Brisbane lawyer whose profile mentions traffic matters.
Daniel Hannay, Director
Hugh Stitt, Managing Solicitor (Brisbane)
Farshad Sarabi, Managing Solicitor (Gold Coast)
Richard Niu, Solicitor (Gold Coast), criminal and traffic law
Best for People who need a work licence application run in court and want to avoid a conviction where possible
The drink driving page lists case examples including no conviction recorded with a much shorter licence suspension, and a work licence granted so a client could keep working.
The firm also acts for jockeys and trainers in racing integrity matters, appeals and suspensions.
The firm says it appears in courts across Queensland, from Brisbane to Cairns and Townsville, as well as northern NSW and Melbourne.
A criminal and traffic firm run by director Corey Cullen from Petrie Terrace, close to the Roma Street courts, with a second office in Melbourne. Its drink driving work includes court appearances and work licence applications, and its case examples include reduced suspensions and no conviction recorded outcomes. It also has an unusual niche acting for jockeys and trainers in racing matters. The first consultation is free.
Lawyers
The team page gives titles only and doesn't say which lawyers handle traffic matters.
Free case assessment and first meeting. Fixed quote, with a deposit and payment plan
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
A traffic and drink driving brand with offices on George Street in the city and in Southport. Its Google listing names Donnelly Law Group as the firm behind it. It says it responds to enquiries within an hour, and it offers a free case assessment by phone and a free first meeting, where it gives a fixed quote. It's one of the few firms here that mentions payment plans: a small deposit, then instalments. Its website doesn't name its lawyers in full.
Areas of drink driving law handled
Low range drink driving
Mid range drink driving
High range drink driving
Refusing a breath test
Drug driving
Dangerous driving
Unlicensed driving
Work licences
Special hardship orders
General traffic offences
Other details
Other offices
Southport (13 Hicks Street, near Southport Magistrates Court)
Free initial consultation, in the office, by video or in prison
Office
Level 1, 331 George Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
A criminal and traffic firm on George Street led by directors Adam Guest, admitted in 1999, and Lewis Hunter. Its drink driving work covers Magistrates Court pleas and appeals, and work licences and special hardship orders are handled as a separate traffic service. The firm appears in courts from Brisbane to Southport, Ipswich, Maroochydore and Toowoomba. It suits a drink driving charge that comes with other charges. First consultations are free, including by video or in prison.
Firm details come from each firm's own website. Google ratings are shown as published on Google and don't set the order. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
Not sure which firm suits you?
Tell us a little about your matter and we'll put you in touch with a Brisbane drink driving lawyer. It's free and there's no obligation.
How we compiled this list
We include firms with a Brisbane office that regularly handle drink driving charges. For each firm we read its own website in October 2026 and wrote the description ourselves. Fees and free consultations are as the firm describes them, so confirm them when you call. We show Google ratings with the date we checked them.
No firm pays for its place on this list. If something here is out of date, let us know. There's more detail on how we rank law firms.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Penalties and rules are as published by the Queensland Government and Legal Aid Queensland in October 2026.
Where Brisbane drink driving charges are heard
Drink and drug driving charges in Queensland are heard in the Magistrates Court. In the city that's the Brisbane Magistrates Court at 363 George Street. If you were charged in the suburbs, your notice may send you to a local court instead. Greater Brisbane has Magistrates Courts at Holland Park, Richlands, Pine Rivers (Strathpine), Wynnum, Sandgate, Redcliffe, Cleveland, Beenleigh, Ipswich and Caboolture.
If you were arrested and held in custody, your first appearance is usually at the Roma Street Arrest Courts at 240 Roma Street. Check the court and date on your notice to appear, and ask any lawyer you call whether they regularly appear there. Most Brisbane traffic lawyers cover all of these courts.
Low range tickets from 31 August 2026
Since 31 August 2026, police can deal with some first offences with a reading of 0.05 to under 0.10 with an infringement notice instead of a court date. It's generally only for drivers on an open Queensland licence, with no drink driving offence in the last 5 years, who weren't driving a truck, bus, taxi or other zero limit vehicle. Offences under 0.05 by learner, P plate, probationary, restricted or zero limit vehicle drivers still go to court.
If you don't elect to go to court, you're disqualified for 2 months from a start date set by regulation, and the offence counts as a conviction on your record. If you'd need a work licence, get advice quickly, because only a court can grant one and electing court is the only way to keep that option open.
Queensland drink driving penalties for a first offence
These are the maximum penalties for a first offence, as published by the Queensland Government. Fines rose by 3.5% on 1 July 2026. The magistrate decides the actual penalty within these ranges, based on your reading, your traffic history and your circumstances.
Reading (BAC)
Licence disqualification
Maximum fine
Maximum jail
Over 0.00, under 0.05 on a learner, provisional, probationary or restricted licence, or unlicensed
3 to 9 months
$3,454
3 months
Over 0.00, under 0.05 driving a truck, bus, taxi or other zero limit vehicle
1 to 9 months
$3,454
3 months
0.05 to under 0.10
2 to 9 months
$3,454
3 months
0.10 to under 0.15
3 to 12 months
$4,835
6 months
0.15 and over
At least 6 months
$6,908
9 months
Penalties step up sharply for a second offence within 5 years. For a reading of 0.05 to under 0.15, the disqualification range becomes 3 to 18 months, with a fine of up to $4,835 or 6 months in jail. At 0.15 and over, or under the influence, disqualification is automatic for at least 1 year (at least 2 years for a third offence), the maximum fine is $12,434 or 18 months in jail, and a third such offence within 5 years must include jail. Police can also impound your car for a repeat high range offence or refusal: 7 days for a second offence within 5 years and 90 days for a third.
Work licences: the decision you make before court
A work licence lets you keep driving for work while you're disqualified. In Queensland you apply in the same court case, and it has to be dealt with before the magistrate makes the disqualification order. Once you've been disqualified, it's too late. Because the application needs affidavits from you and your employer, speak to a lawyer well before your court date.
To be eligible, Legal Aid Queensland says you need all of these:
Your reading was under 0.15
You held a current Queensland open licence when you were caught, and still do
You weren't driving for work, or already on a work licence, at the time
No drink driving conviction, and no licence suspension, cancellation or disqualification, in the last 5 years. The 24 hour suspension on the night, the immediate suspension for this charge, and a SPER suspension for an unpaid fine don't count
No dangerous driving conviction in Queensland in the last 5 years
You also have to show the court that you'd lose your job and income without a licence, causing extreme hardship to you or your family, and that you're a fit and proper person to hold one. You'll need an affidavit from you and one from your employer. If the court grants a work licence, the disqualification it orders can be up to twice as long as it would otherwise have been.
Special hardship orders are often mentioned in the same breath, but they're for licence suspensions from speeding or demerit points, not for drink driving disqualifications.
Alcohol ignition interlocks
An interlock is a breath testing device wired into your car. You must take part in the interlock program after your disqualification ends if you're convicted of driving at 0.10 or over, driving under the influence of alcohol, refusing a breath analysis or blood test, dangerous driving while affected by alcohol, or two drink driving offences within 5 years. If you get a work licence after a reading of 0.10 to under 0.15, the interlock applies from the day the work licence is granted.
You can only drive a nominated vehicle with an interlock fitted, which can be a work vehicle, and exemptions are limited. You pay for it: the Queensland Government puts the cost at about $2,600 for 12 months, plus a licence fee. If you choose not to do the program, you can't drive for 5 years.
Drug driving
In Queensland it's an offence to drive with any detectable amount of THC (cannabis), methylamphetamine (ice or speed), MDMA or cocaine in your saliva or blood, whether or not you feel affected. For a first offence the disqualification is 1 to 9 months and the maximum fine is $2,417 or 3 months in jail, and a work licence can be available. Driving while under the influence of any drug, including prescription medication, is a separate and more serious charge, and no work licence is available for it.
What to do after you've been charged
Check your paperwork. Note your reading, the court and the date on your notice to appear.
Work out if you need a work licence. If you do, talk to a lawyer well before your first court date, because the application has to be ready on the day.
Don't drive while suspended. Driving during a suspension or disqualification is a separate offence with heavy penalties.
Ask about fees. Many Brisbane drink driving lawyers charge a fixed fee for a guilty plea, with a separate fee for a work licence application.
Gather references. A character reference from your employer or someone who knows you well can help when the magistrate decides your penalty.
Brisbane drink driving law: common questions
Will I lose my licence straight away?
If your reading was under 0.10, your licence is suspended for at least 24 hours and you can usually drive again until your case is dealt with. For a reading of 0.05 to under 0.10, police may give you an infringement notice instead of a court date, with a 2 month disqualification from a start date set by regulation, unless you elect to go to court. If it was 0.10 or over, or you refused a breath analysis or blood test, your licence is suspended immediately until the court deals with the charge. You can ask the court for a section 79E order to keep driving in the meantime, which is mainly useful if you're pleading not guilty. A lower reading can also lead to immediate suspension if you already have a drink driving charge waiting to be heard.
How long will I lose my licence for?
For a first offence in court, the magistrate sets the disqualification within a range: 2 to 9 months for a reading of 0.05 to under 0.10, 3 to 12 months for 0.10 to under 0.15, and at least 6 months for 0.15 and over. Learner and provisional drivers over 0.00 face 3 to 9 months. A low range infringement notice means a fixed 2 months. For a second offence within 5 years it's 3 to 18 months under 0.15, and at least 1 year at 0.15 and over.
Can I get a work licence for drink driving in Queensland?
Possibly, if your reading was under 0.15, you hold an open Queensland licence, and you haven't had a drink driving conviction or lost your licence in the last 5 years. You apply in court, before the magistrate disqualifies you, and must show that losing your licence would cost you your job and cause extreme hardship. Learner and provisional drivers can't apply. If you were given a low range infringement notice, you'd need to elect to go to court to apply.
Do I need a lawyer for a first drink driving charge?
You don't have to have one, and some people plead guilty on their own for a low reading. A lawyer is most useful if you need a work licence, if your reading was high, if it's not your first offence, or if you think the reading or the police process was wrong. Legal Aid has free duty lawyers at most Magistrates Courts, but they generally won't help with a first or second drink or drug driving charge unless you're likely to go to jail, and they don't do trials.
What happens if I refuse a breath test?
It depends on which test. Refusing the roadside breath test carries a maximum fine of $6,908 or 6 months in jail. Refusing the breath analysis at the station, or a blood test, is treated like driving under the influence: a maximum fine of $6,908 or 9 months in jail, at least 6 months disqualification, an immediate licence suspension until court, no work licence, and an interlock when you get your licence back.
Does a drink driving conviction mean jail?
Every drink driving offence carries a possible jail term, but for a first offence under 0.15 a fine and disqualification is the usual result. The risk rises with high readings, repeat offences, driving while disqualified, or where someone was hurt, and a third under the influence offence within 5 years must include jail. Your lawyer can tell you what's realistic for your situation.
