Charged With Dangerous Driving in Tasmania - What Happens Now?

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

Dangerous driving in Tasmania is a serious criminal offence that can result in up to 21 years imprisonment in the most severe cases. Unlike negligent driving, dangerous driving requires the prosecution to prove you operated your vehicle in a manner that was dangerous to the public, considering all circumstances including traffic, road conditions, and visibility. If you've been charged, contact a criminal lawyer immediately on 1300 636 846 - what you do in the next few days will determine whether you face prison time, lose your licence permanently, or can minimise the consequences.

Do You Need a Lawyer?

Yes, you absolutely need a lawyer for dangerous driving charges in Tasmania. This is not a traffic infringement you can handle yourself - it's a criminal charge that appears on background checks and can result in immediate imprisonment. Without proper legal representation, you risk pleading guilty to charges that could be defended, accepting penalties far harsher than necessary, or failing to present mitigating circumstances that could keep you out of jail.

A skilled criminal lawyer can examine the evidence against you, identify potential defences such as necessity or duress, challenge police procedures, and negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges. They can also present your case in the strongest possible light to magistrates, highlighting factors like your driving history, personal circumstances, and genuine remorse that could mean the difference between a suspended sentence and immediate custody.

The stakes are too high to represent yourself. Call 1300 636 846 now to speak with a criminal lawyer who handles dangerous driving cases across Tasmania daily.

What Happens Next - The Process

Here's exactly what you can expect after being charged with dangerous driving in Tasmania:

1. Arrest and Charging: Police will formally charge you and provide a court attendance notice. Your licence may be suspended immediately if the incident involved death, serious injury, or extreme circumstances.
2. First Court Appearance: You must attend the Magistrates Court in Hobart, Launceston, Burnie, or your local courthouse within 14-28 days. This is your mention hearing where you'll enter a plea.
3. Bail Considerations: For serious dangerous driving charges, particularly those involving death or injury, the court may consider bail conditions or remand you in custody pending trial.
4. Brief of Evidence: The prosecution will provide all evidence against you, including police statements, witness accounts, CCTV footage, and expert reports. This process takes 6-12 weeks.
5. Plea Negotiations: Your lawyer will review the brief and negotiate with prosecutors. This might result in reduced charges, alternative charges like negligent driving, or agreed facts that improve your sentencing prospects.
6. Sentencing or Trial: If pleading guilty, you'll proceed to a sentencing hearing. If pleading not guilty, the matter will be listed for trial in the Magistrates Court or Supreme Court of Tasmania, depending on the severity.
7. Appeal Period: You have 28 days to appeal any conviction or sentence to the Supreme Court of Tasmania.

Don't navigate this complex process alone. Book an urgent consultation at gotocourt.com.au/book to get expert guidance from day one.

The Law in Tasmania

Dangerous driving in Tasmania is governed by the Criminal Code Act 1924 (Tas), specifically Section 167A. The law defines dangerous driving as operating a motor vehicle "at a speed or in a manner that is dangerous to the public, having regard to all the circumstances."

The key distinction from negligent driving is the threshold of danger. Negligent driving under the Road Safety (Alcohol and Drugs) Act 1970 involves falling below the standard of a competent driver, while dangerous driving requires proof that your driving created actual danger to other road users.

The penalties vary significantly based on the consequences:

• Dangerous driving causing death: Up to 21 years imprisonment under Section 167A(1)
• Dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm: Up to 10 years imprisonment under Section 167A(2)
• Dangerous driving (no injury): Up to 2 years imprisonment and/or $26,180 fine under Section 167A(3)

Additionally, the Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999 (Tas) mandates automatic licence disqualification periods:

• First offence: Minimum 6 months disqualification
• Subsequent offence: Minimum 12 months disqualification
• Causing death or grievous harm: Minimum 2 years disqualification, often much longer

These are minimum periods - courts regularly impose longer disqualifications. Understanding exactly which section you're charged under is crucial for mounting an effective defence.

Mistakes to Avoid

We see clients make these critical errors that destroy their chances of a good outcome:

1. Making admissions to police without legal advice. Many clients say things like "I was going too fast" or "I wasn't paying attention" thinking honesty will help. These admissions become evidence against you and make defending the charges nearly impossible. Exercise your right to silence and call a lawyer before speaking to police.

2. Pleading guilty at the first mention to "get it over with." Magistrates cannot sentence you properly without a full brief of evidence and comprehensive submissions about your circumstances. Rushing to plead guilty prevents your lawyer from reviewing the prosecution case for weaknesses and often results in harsher penalties than necessary.

3. Hiring a general solicitor instead of a criminal law specialist. Dangerous driving cases involve complex evidence analysis, expert witness testimony about accident reconstruction, and nuanced sentencing submissions. A conveyancing lawyer or general practitioner lacks the specialised knowledge to achieve the best outcome.

4. Failing to gather character references and rehabilitation evidence early. Courts want to see genuine remorse and steps toward rehabilitation before sentencing. Completing a driver improvement course, obtaining character references from employers and community members, and addressing any substance abuse issues demonstrates your commitment to change.

5. Ignoring the brief of evidence or assuming it's accurate. Police reports often contain errors, witness statements may be inconsistent, and technical evidence about speed or road conditions can be challenged by experts. A thorough analysis of the brief regularly reveals defences or mitigating factors that weren't initially obvious.

Avoid these costly mistakes by engaging experienced representation immediately. Call 1300 636 846 now.

Likely Outcomes and Costs

With expert legal representation, many dangerous driving charges result in outcomes far better than clients initially fear. Our criminal lawyers regularly achieve:

Charge Reductions: Dangerous driving charges often get reduced to negligent driving, particularly where the "dangerous" element is marginal. This eliminates the risk of imprisonment and significantly reduces licence disqualification periods. Cost: $3,500-$6,500 for full representation.

Suspended Sentences: Even where dangerous driving convictions are recorded, skilled advocacy frequently results in wholly suspended sentences, meaning you avoid actual prison time. Courts consider factors like your driving history, personal circumstances, and steps toward rehabilitation. Cost: $4,500-$8,500 including sentencing submissions.

Reduced Licence Disqualifications: While minimum disqualification periods apply, lawyers can argue for shorter periods based on employment needs, family circumstances, and geographic isolation. Some clients receive work permits allowing limited driving during disqualification. Cost: $2,500-$4,500 for licence advocacy.

Without a Lawyer: Self-represented defendants typically face maximum penalties. Magistrates have limited information about your circumstances and no expert guidance on appropriate sentencing ranges. Many receive immediate imprisonment terms and lengthy licence disqualifications that could have been avoided.

Timeframes: Most dangerous driving matters resolve within 4-6 months. Complex cases involving expert evidence or trials may take 8-12 months. Early legal intervention significantly reduces stress and uncertainty by providing clear timelines and realistic expectations.

The cost of expert legal representation is minimal compared to the consequences of conviction. A criminal record affects employment, travel, and personal relationships for years. Don't gamble with your future - book a consultation at gotocourt.com.au/book today.

How Go To Court Lawyers Can Help

Go To Court Lawyers has defended dangerous driving charges across Tasmania for over 14 years. Our 800+ lawyers include criminal law specialists who appear in Hobart, Launceston, Devonport, and Burnie courts weekly. We understand how Tasmanian magistrates approach dangerous driving cases and what strategies achieve the best outcomes.

Our criminal lawyers will immediately review your charges, examine all evidence, and identify every possible defence. We've successfully argued necessity defences where clients drove dangerously to escape greater harm, challenged police evidence about road conditions and visibility, and negotiated charge reductions that kept clients out of prison.

Your fixed-price fixed-fee consultation includes a comprehensive case assessment, clear advice about likely outcomes, and a strategic plan for achieving the best possible result. We'll handle all court appearances, negotiate with prosecutors, and present compelling submissions that highlight your positive character and minimise penalties.

With a 4.5-star rating from 780+ reviews, our clients consistently praise our practical approach, clear communication, and successful outcomes in serious criminal matters. We're available 24/7 because we understand dangerous driving charges create immediate anxiety and require urgent attention.

Don't let dangerous driving charges derail your life. Our criminal law specialists are standing by to help you fight these charges and protect your future. Call our 24/7 hotline on 1300 636 846 now, or book your urgent consultation online at gotocourt.com.au/book. Every day you wait makes achieving the best outcome harder - take action today.