Fines for novice, special and low range drink driving in NSW

Whilst the introduction of fines for first time low, special and novice range drink-driving and drug-driving offences has significantly reduced the number of court appearances for such offences, the certainty of licence sanctions has increased.

The New South Wales Government introduced penalty notices and administrative licence suspensions for first time drink- and drug-driving offenders in May 2019.

This provided police with the power to issue a fine for low, special and novice range drink-driving, and drug-driving offences instead of charging them and issuing a Court Attendance Notice.

As at the beginning of 2024, this fine is $644 – which has been gradually raised from $561 when the scheme was first introduced.