High-range drink driving (0.15 and over) in Queensland: Demerit Points & Fine (2026-27)
Court-imposed maximum, 2026-27 penalty units — QLD has no on-the-spot fine for this offence
Queensland Government demerit and fines schedule (1 July 2026) · 2026-27 schedule- Licence consequence: disqualification minimum 6 months; licence immediately suspended on charge until court
- max 9 months imprisonment; alcohol ignition interlock program on conviction
Drink-driving is measured by blood or breath alcohol concentration, and the offence is graded into ranges, with the penalty rising as the reading climbs. Full licence holders are generally held to a set limit, while learner, provisional and certain professional drivers are required to have no alcohol present at all, so a reading that would be within limits for one driver can be an offence for another.
Enforcement combines random breath testing at set-up stops with roadside testing after a stop or a crash. How a matter is handled then varies sharply between jurisdictions: some states allow a lower-range reading to be dealt with by an on-the-spot infringement notice, sometimes still with an immediate licence loss attached, while others send every drink-driving matter to court no matter how low the reading. Higher ranges are almost always court matters wherever you are.
Because the consequences can include criminal penalties and disqualification, this is an area where the differences between states matter a great deal. This section is general information, not legal advice; if your licence or a possible charge is at stake, get advice from a qualified lawyer about your specific situation.
All QLD drink-driving penalties
| Offence | Points | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Low-range drink driving (0.05 to under 0.10) | — | $2,417 |
| Mid-range drink driving (0.10 to under 0.15) | — | $3,454 |
| High-range drink driving (0.15 and over) | — | $4,835 |
Frequently asked questions
- What happens if I'm caught — high-range drink driving (0.15 and over) in QLD?
- This is a court matter in QLD — there is no on-the-spot fine. The court-imposed maximum fine is $4,835. disqualification minimum 6 months; licence immediately suspended on charge until court
- How close does this put me to suspension in QLD?
- 12 points in 3 years on an open licence (suspension 3–5 months by tally).
The same offence in other states
- NSW: Low-range drink driving (first offence)
- VIC: Drink driving — BAC 0.05 to under 0.07 (first offence)
- VIC: Drink driving — BAC 0.07 to under 0.10
- VIC: Drink driving — BAC 0.10 to under 0.15
- VIC: Drink driving — BAC 0.15 or more (court)
- VIC: Alcohol under 0.05 on a zero-BAC licence
- WA: Drink driving — BAC 0.05 to under 0.06 (first offence)
- WA: Drink driving — BAC 0.06 to under 0.07 (first offence)
- WA: Drink driving — BAC 0.07 to under 0.08 (first offence)
- SA: Drink driving — BAC 0.05 to under 0.08 (expiable)
- TAS: Drink driving — BAC 0.05 to under 0.10 (infringement)
- TAS: Drink driving — BAC 0.10 to under 0.15 (infringement)
- ACT: Drink driving (court only in the ACT)
- NT: Low-range drink driving (0.05 to under 0.08, first offence)
- NT: Mid-range drink driving (0.08 to under 0.15)
- NT: High-range drink driving (0.15 and over)
- All QLD offences
Standard first-offence penalty for a full-licence holder unless noted. Information, not legal advice — if your licence is at stake, get legal advice.