Is drink driving a criminal offence in NSW?

One of the most common questions traffic lawyers have to answer relates to whether drink driving is a criminal offence.

While it is widely acknowledged now that drink driving offences are serious and prevalent, many people still believe that they are just traffic offences that do not come with a criminal record.

Is drink driving a criminal offence?

In New South Wales, drink driving is a criminal offence that carries harsh penalties, licence disqualifications and a criminal record.

If you've been charged with drink driving, the police will give you a Court Attendance Notice (CAN). There are a few different kinds of CANs:

• Field Court Attendance Notices;
• Future Court Attendance Notices;