Monardo Legal

Traffic and Licence Lawyers in Ashfield

Advice and representation for traffic charges, licence suspensions, disqualification and related court appearances in New South Wales, from our Ashfield office.

A traffic matter is often about more than a fine. It can affect your ability to get to work, to care for family, or to hold a licence at all. Some charges also carry a risk of a conviction, a disqualification period, or imprisonment — particularly driving while suspended or disqualified, or more serious driving offences.

Monardo Legal assists clients across Sydney’s Inner West and New South Wales from our only office at Unit 1 / 534 Parramatta Road, Ashfield NSW 2131. This page is general information, not legal advice about your particular notice or charge. For drink and drug driving, see our dedicated drink and drug driving page.

Traffic charges we can assist with

Depending on the facts, we can advise on matters including:

  • speeding and other infringement or court-elected traffic charges
  • negligent driving, and more serious dangerous-driving allegations
  • unlicensed driving, and driving while suspended, cancelled or disqualified
  • police immediate licence suspensions, including for high-range speeding and certain other offences
  • Transport for NSW suspensions, including some demerit-point suspensions
  • court disqualification, and, where the scheme applies, applications relating to the removal of older disqualifications
  • the traffic consequences of drink and drug driving charges, including interlock questions

The Court Attendance Notice, penalty notice or suspension letter will usually name the offence or the decision. Bring that document with you.

Police suspensions and Transport for NSW suspensions

Police can suspend a licence on the spot, or within a short period after the charge or notice, for certain offences. These include some PCA and drink- or drug-driving matters, speeding by a large margin (the threshold differs for learner and provisional drivers and for full licence holders), some street-racing or “hoon” offences, and some serious crash-related charges. If police suspend your licence immediately, you generally must not drive the vehicle away.

Transport for NSW can also suspend a licence, for example when demerit points reach the limit for your licence class, or in other circumstances set out in the notice. Camera-detected speeding is dealt with differently from an on-the-spot police suspension; the notice will come later from Transport for NSW.

There is a limited right to appeal some suspensions to the Local Court. Time limits apply — often a period of 28 days from the notice, but you must check the document you were given. Lodging an appeal does not, by itself, usually allow you to drive unless the court orders otherwise. Driving while suspended is a serious offence and can make the overall position worse.

Disqualification and getting back on the road

If a court convicts you of certain driving offences, it can disqualify you from driving and your licence may be cancelled. You cannot drive during a disqualification period. When it ends, you may need to apply for a new licence and meet any other requirements, such as an interlock condition.

NSW also has a process for applying to have some older disqualifications removed, after a period without further relevant offences and subject to eligibility rules administered first by Transport for NSW and then, if you proceed, by a Local Court. Serious driving offences can make a person ineligible. A solicitor can help you understand whether that process is open, and what the court will need.

Sentence and licence consequences

For many court-electable traffic matters, the court will consider the charge, your record, the need for a licence, and the statutory penalties, which may include a fine, disqualification, and in some cases a conviction or a more serious sentence. In some matters a court may consider a non-conviction order under section 10 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW). That is not available in every case and cannot be promised.

If you are charged with driving while suspended or disqualified, get advice promptly. Those charges are treated more seriously than many infringement matters, and a further period off the road is often at stake.

How we can help

  • Advice on a police or Transport for NSW suspension notice, including any appeal time limit
  • Advice and representation on traffic charges in the Local Court, including at Burwood Local Court and the Downing Centre when a matter is listed there
  • Preparation for sentence, including material relevant to work, family and rehabilitation
  • Advice on drink and drug driving charges and interlock questions
  • Advice on eligibility for disqualification-removal applications where the scheme may apply

Lawyers who can assist

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive once I have lodged a suspension appeal?

Usually not, unless the court orders otherwise. Lodging an appeal does not automatically stay the suspension. Check the notice and get advice before you drive.

How long do I have to appeal a licence suspension?

Time limits apply and are usually stated on the notice — often 28 days, but do not rely on a general figure. If you are close to a deadline, call (02) 8006 5244 and have the notice with you.

Is driving while suspended a serious matter?

Yes. It can carry significant penalties, including further disqualification and, in some cases, a more serious sentence. Get advice before the first court date and do not drive while you are not authorised to do so.

Can a traffic charge be dealt with without a conviction?

In some cases a court may dismiss a charge or make a Conditional Release Order without recording a conviction, under section 10 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW). That outcome is not available in every case and cannot be promised.

Where is your office?

Unit 1 / 534 Parramatta Road, Ashfield NSW 2131. We do not have offices in other suburbs. Phone and video appointments are available when attending in person is not suitable.

Discuss your traffic or licence matter

Call Monardo Legal on (02) 8006 5244, email info@monardolegal.com.au, or request a consultation. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 am–5:00 pm.

Website information is general information, not legal advice about your particular matter.