Charged With Drink Driving in Tasmania - What Happens Now?

By James Stevens, Director and Solicitor, Go To Court Lawyers. Last reviewed 10 April 2026.

If you've been charged with drink driving in Tasmania, you're facing automatic licence disqualification, substantial fines, and possible imprisonment depending on your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Tasmania has some of Australia's strictest drink driving penalties, with mandatory alcohol interlock devices for many offences and harsh repeat offender provisions. You need to act immediately - call 1300 636 846 or book online at gotocourt.com.au/book to protect your licence and future.

Do You Need a Lawyer?

Yes, you absolutely need a lawyer for drink driving charges in Tasmania. The penalties are severe, automatic, and increase dramatically for repeat offences. Without legal representation, you'll face the full force of mandatory minimums with no opportunity to reduce penalties or explore alternatives.

A drink driving lawyer can challenge the evidence, identify procedural errors in breath testing, negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges, and present compelling mitigation to minimise your penalties. In Tasmania, where a mid-range first offence means losing your licence for at least 6 months plus mandatory interlock installation, legal representation often makes the difference between keeping your job and losing it.

The risks without a lawyer include maximum penalties, no consideration of your personal circumstances, missed opportunities to challenge flawed evidence, and inadequate preparation for court appearances. Call 1300 636 846 now - our 24/7 hotline connects you with Tasmania drink driving specialists who understand exactly what you're facing.

What Happens Next - The Process

Here's exactly what happens after your drink driving charge in Tasmania:

1. Immediate licence suspension - Police suspend your licence on the spot for 24 hours minimum
2. Court notice issued - You'll receive a notice to appear at Hobart Magistrates Court, Launceston Magistrates Court, or your local Magistrates Court within 4-6 weeks
3. First court appearance - Plead guilty or not guilty. Most cases are adjourned for legal representation
4. Legal preparation period - Your lawyer obtains evidence, checks procedures, prepares mitigation (2-8 weeks typically)
5. Final court hearing - Sentencing occurs, penalties imposed immediately including licence disqualification
6. Interlock installation - For applicable offences, you have 28 days to install an alcohol interlock device
7. Licence reinstatement - After disqualification period, complete interlock program and pay reinstatement fees

Time is critical - the sooner you engage legal representation, the better your outcome. Book online at gotocourt.com.au/book to secure expert help immediately.

The Law in Tasmania

Tasmania's drink driving penalties are governed by the Road Safety (Alcohol and Drugs) Act 1970 and Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999. Here's the complete penalty table for all BAC ranges:

Low Range (0.05 - 0.079% BAC)

First Offence:

• Fine: $518 - $862
• Licence disqualification: 3 months minimum
• Imprisonment: None
• Interlock: Not required

Second Offence (within 5 years):

• Fine: $1,035 - $1,725
• Licence disqualification: 6 months minimum
• Imprisonment: Up to 3 months
• Interlock: Mandatory 12 months minimum

Mid Range (0.08 - 0.149% BAC)

First Offence:

• Fine: $1,035 - $1,725
• Licence disqualification: 6 months minimum
• Imprisonment: Up to 3 months
• Interlock: Mandatory 12 months minimum

Second Offence (within 5 years):

• Fine: $2,070 - $3,451
• Licence disqualification: 2 years minimum
• Imprisonment: Up to 6 months
• Interlock: Mandatory 24 months minimum

High Range (0.15% BAC and above)

First Offence:

• Fine: $2,070 - $3,451
• Licence disqualification: 12 months minimum
• Imprisonment: Up to 6 months
• Interlock: Mandatory 24 months minimum

Second Offence (within 5 years):

• Fine: $3,105 - $5,176
• Licence disqualification: 3 years minimum
• Imprisonment: Up to 12 months
• Interlock: Mandatory 36 months minimum

Special Category (Professional drivers, P-plate drivers, 0.02-0.049%)

First Offence:

• Fine: $345 - $575
• Licence disqualification: 1 month minimum
• Imprisonment: None typically
• Interlock: Not required for first offence

Alcohol Interlock Requirements

Tasmania's alcohol interlock program is mandatory for:

• All mid-range and high-range offences
• Low-range second offences within 5 years
• Any drink driving offence involving an accident
• Refuse breath test charges

Interlock installation costs approximately $2,200 plus monthly fees of $150. The device prevents your car from starting if alcohol is detected in your breath.

These penalties are minimums - magistrates can impose higher fines and longer disqualifications. Don't face these consequences alone. Call 1300 636 846 for immediate legal assistance.

Mistakes to Avoid

These critical mistakes destroy drink driving defences and lead to maximum penalties:

1. Accepting police evidence without challenge - Breath testing machines require precise calibration and maintenance. Police must follow exact procedures for roadside and station breath tests. We've seen cases where calibration certificates were expired, continuous observation wasn't maintained, or the 20-minute observation period was compromised. These procedural failures can invalidate readings, but only if your lawyer investigates thoroughly.

2. Pleading guilty immediately without legal advice - Many clients assume they must plead guilty because they "failed the test". This is wrong. Successful defences include challenging the accuracy of breath analysis, proving the two-hour rule violations, identifying medical conditions affecting readings, and demonstrating police procedural errors. Once you plead guilty, these defences disappear forever.

3. Failing to gather time-critical evidence - CCTV footage from venues, receipts showing drinking timeline, witness statements, and medical records proving relevant conditions must be secured immediately. This evidence disappears within weeks. Self-represented defendants consistently miss this crucial evidence-gathering window.

4. Underestimating repeat offender consequences - Second offences within five years trigger dramatically harsher penalties. A second mid-range offence means two years minimum disqualification and mandatory 24-month interlock. Many clients don't realise previous interstate convictions count as prior offences in Tasmania.

5. Inadequate mitigation preparation - Magistrates have discretion within penalty ranges, but only with compelling mitigation evidence. Professional character references, employment impact statements, medical evidence, and family hardship documentation must be professionally prepared and presented. Poor mitigation leads to maximum penalties.

Avoid these costly mistakes. Book online at gotocourt.com.au/book for expert representation.

Likely Outcomes and Costs

With experienced legal representation, realistic outcomes include:

Low-range first offenders: Often achieve minimum 3-month disqualification with no conviction recorded under section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Mental Impairment) Act 1999. Legal costs typically $2,500-$4,500. Timeline: 6-12 weeks.

Mid-range first offenders: Minimum 6-month disqualification unavoidable, but lawyers can minimise fines and avoid imprisonment. Interlock period may be reduced with good behaviour. Legal costs: $3,500-$6,000. Timeline: 8-16 weeks.

High-range or repeat offenders: Focus shifts to avoiding imprisonment and minimising disqualification periods. Intensive mitigation essential. Legal costs: $5,000-$10,000+. Timeline: 12-24 weeks.

Without a lawyer: Expect maximum penalties within ranges, full interlock periods, and no consideration of personal circumstances. Many self-represented defendants receive harsher sentences than necessary.

Challenge defences: When evidence can be challenged, complete dismissals are possible. Success rates vary dramatically based on specific circumstances, but procedural challenges succeed in approximately 15-20% of cases where proper investigation occurs.

Additional costs include:

• Court fines: $345-$5,176 depending on charge
• Licence reinstatement: $67.50
• Interlock installation and maintenance: $2,200+ annually
• Increased insurance premiums: $1,000-$3,000 annually for 5 years

Professional legal representation pays for itself through reduced penalties and preserved employment opportunities. Call 1300 636 846 for a realistic assessment of your case.

How Go To Court Lawyers Can Help

Go To Court Lawyers is Australia's largest legal service with 800+ lawyers operating in every state and territory since 2010. We're rated 4.5 stars from 780 reviews and have defended thousands of drink driving charges across Tasmania.

Our Tasmania drink driving lawyers provide:

• Immediate legal advice - 24/7 hotline 1300 636 846 connects you with specialists who understand Tasmania's unique penalties
• Evidence investigation - We obtain and analyse breath test calibration records, police procedures, and CCTV footage
• Court representation - Experienced advocates appear in Hobart, Launceston, and regional Magistrates Courts
• Mitigation preparation - Professional character references, employment letters, and hardship documentation
• Interlock guidance - Complete assistance with alcohol interlock applications and compliance

We offer a fixed-fee consultation where we'll review your case, explain realistic outcomes, and provide clear pricing for representation. No hidden costs or surprise fees.

Our track record includes:

• Successful challenges to breath test procedures
• Reduced penalties through expert mitigation
• Alternative sentencing arrangements preserving employment
• Minimised interlock periods and early removal applications

Don't let drink driving charges destroy your future. Tasmania's penalties are severe and automatic, but experienced legal representation can make a crucial difference to your outcome.

Call 1300 636 846 now for immediate advice from Tasmania drink driving specialists, or book online at gotocourt.com.au/book to secure your consultation today. Our lawyers are standing by 24/7 to help protect your licence, your job, and your future.