Work Licence Cairns — Fixed Fee
$1,500 — Fixed Fee
Work licence application — Cairns Magistrates Court — $1,500 fixed Covers : eligibility assessment, preparation of the work licence application, affidavit drafting, and coordination of employer evidence. The work licence application is made at the same hearing as your drink driving plea. This fee covers the work licence component only — the drink driving plea fee ($2,100) is payable separately. Total for drink driving plea + work licence: $3,600 . All fees +10% GST.
What Is Included
Assessment of your eligibility before the application is prepared Preparation of the formal work licence application under section 87 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 (Qld) Drafting of your supporting affidavit — setting out your employment, your need to drive, and your circumstances Advice on employer evidence and what the court needs to see Appearance at the sentencing hearing to present the work licence application alongside your drink driving plea Post-hearing advice on the conditions of your work licence and what you can and cannot do under it The work licence application is made at the same hearing as your drink driving plea. The $1,500 fee covers the work licence application — the drink driving plea ($2,100) is a separate fee. If you need both, the total is $3,600. What a Work Licence Is A work licence is a restricted driving authority granted by the Magistrates Court that allows you to drive for work purposes during your drink driving disqualification. It does not restore your full licence. It authorises you to drive within defined conditions — to and from work, and as required during work — while the disqualification is in effect. If granted, it takes effect immediately at the conclusion of the sentencing hearing. You leave court with the authority to drive to work.
Who Is Eligible
Work licences are available under section 87 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 (Qld). The eligibility requirements are strict. You must meet all of them — not just most. You are eligible to apply if: You are charged with a general alcohol limit offence under s 79(2) (BAC 0.050–0.099), a middle alcohol limit offence under s 79(1F) (BAC 0.100–0.149), or driving with a relevant drug present under s 79(2AA). A BAC of 0.150 or above triggers the conclusive presumption under s 79(3), meaning the charge is laid under s 79(1) (DUI) — and s 87(5)(da) bars work licence applications for all s 79(1) convictions. Driving under the influence of a drug (also s 79(1)) is similarly barred You hold a current Queensland open licence (not learner or provisional) You have not had a conviction for a traffic offence, a licence suspension, or a licence cancellation in the five years before the current offence You genuinely need your licence to earn your living — your employment requires you to drive, or you cannot get to work without driving You are not a holder of a licence under a zero alcohol limit (certain professional and heavy vehicle licence conditions) You are not eligible if: You are charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) under s 79(1) — including where your BAC was 0.150 or above (which triggers the deemed-DUI conclusive presumption under s 79(3)), or driving under the influence of a drug (also charged under s 79(1)) You hold a learner or provisional licence You have had a relevant traffic conviction, suspension, or cancellation in the past five years The offence occurred while you were driving a vehicle with a passenger transport authority (bus, taxi, rideshare) If you are unsure whether you qualify, call Civic Law before your hearing date. Eligibility is assessed at the first consultation, and if you do not qualify, Civic Law will tell you immediately — not at the courthouse.
What the Court Considers
The Magistrates Court does not grant a work licence automatically on application. The court must be satisfied that you genuinely need your licence to earn your living, and that the order is appropriate in your circumstances. Unsupported applications routinely fail. The material that persuades the court includes: Your employment evidence. A letter or statement from your employer confirming that your role requires driving, the hours and locations involved, and the impact on your employment if your licence is lost. For self-employed applicants, your own affidavit plus business records or client evidence serves the same function. Your affidavit. Your sworn statement sets out your employment situation, your need to drive, your financial circumstances, and your personal history. Sacha drafts this — it is not a form you complete yourself. A poorly drafted affidavit is one of the most common reasons applications fail. Your traffic history. The court reviews your traffic history as part of the eligibility check. Sacha obtains this before the hearing and addresses any issues in the submissions. The nature of your work driving. The court needs to understand specifically where and when you need to drive, not just a general statement that you drive for work. Vague applications do not succeed. What Sacha Focuses On Work licence applications fail most often because the supporting material is inadequate — not because the applicant was ineligible. Sacha will prepare every application as if it will be contested. That means a properly drafted affidavit, employer evidence that says what the court needs to hear, and submissions that address the statutory criteria directly. The application is made on the day of your sentencing hearing. Sacha coordinates both the plea and the work licence application together, so the court hears a coherent and complete account of your circumstances. Conditions on a Work Licence If the court grants the application, your work licence will specify the conditions under which you can drive. Common conditions include: Driving only to and from your place of employment Driving during the course of your employment duties Driving only during specified hours Carrying your work licence at all times while driving Driving outside those conditions is a separate offence. Sacha will explain your conditions clearly at the conclusion of the hearing so you understand exactly what you can and cannot do.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I apply if my BAC was 0.150 or above? No. A BAC of 0.150 or above triggers the conclusive presumption under section 79(3) of the TORUM Act — you are deemed to have been driving under the influence and charged under section 79(1). Section 87(5)(da) bars work licence applications for all s 79(1) convictions. A work licence is only available for BAC readings under 0.150 — that is, charges under s 79(2) (general alcohol limit) or s 79(1F) (middle alcohol limit). Sacha will confirm your charge provision at the first consultation. Can I apply if I am self-employed? Yes. Self-employed applicants must provide evidence of their business and their need to drive as part of the application — the evidence just comes from a different source than an employer letter. Sacha will advise on what is needed for your specific situation. What if my employer won't provide a letter? An employer who refuses to provide supporting evidence is a genuine obstacle. Sacha will advise on alternative ways to establish your need to drive. In some cases, other evidence can substitute. If the court cannot be satisfied, the application will not succeed — but that assessment is made before the hearing, not during it. Does the work licence let me drive for personal reasons? No. A work licence only authorises driving for work purposes as specified in the conditions. Driving to the shops, dropping children at school, or any other personal driving is not covered. Driving outside the conditions is a criminal offence. What happens if I breach the conditions of a work licence? Driving in breach of work licence conditions is a criminal offence that will result in immediate loss of the work licence, further disqualification, and potential imprisonment. Do not breach the conditions. Can I apply for a work licence if I am also charged with driving while disqualified? No. If you are charged with driving while disqualified as well as drink driving, you are not eligible for a work licence. The work licence provisions under section 87 require that the applicant meets all eligibility criteria — a concurrent charge for driving while disqualified is disqualifying.