An EDL allows you to drive a vehicle for specific purposes while you have been disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence. You can only obtain an EDL by applying to the appropriate court. EDLs are issued for up to 12 months.
The Court's power to grant an EDL is discretionary and is not exercised lightly. You must satisfy the Court that you or a member of your family will suffer severe hardship by being unable to work or obtain urgent medical treatment. Mere inconvenience – for example, having to use public transport or taxis to travel – is not sufficient. If there is severe hardship the Court will then consider:
- the reason for your disqualification;
- your subsequent conduct;
- the risk to the public;
- your general character; and
- the general circumstances of your application.
You cannot apply for an extraordinary driver's licence if your licence has been suspended for non-payment of fines or excessive demerit points. You must pay all outstanding fines or reach a time-to-pay arrangement with the Fines Enforcement Registry before you can apply for an extraordinary driver's licence. If your licence has been suspended for excessive demerit points, you may be able to take advantage of the new 'double or nothing' election.
No application can be made until 21 days after the driver's licence suspension takes effect. A longer waiting period may apply, depending on the offence that you were disqualified for.
| Offence |
Waiting period |
|
Serious DUI
First offence
First offence with previous minor DUI
Second or subsequent offence
|
2 months
3 months
4 months
|
|
Minor DUI
First offence
First offence with previous serious DUI
Second offence
Third or subsequent offence
|
1 month
2 months
2 months
3 months
|
A serious DUI means an offence of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (usually due to a blood alcohol content of 0.15% or greater) or refusing a breath, blood or urine test. A minor DUI means an offence of driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% (but less than 0.15%) or refusing a preliminary roadside test.
Whether your application is successful will depend on the particular circumstances of your case. For a fixed price, we will assess your application and advise you of the likelihood of success.
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We can assess the merits of your application online without the need for you to attend our office, saving you both time and money. The cost of our online EDL assessment is $200 inclusive of GST. To request an online EDL assessment, please complete the EDL Instruction Form and email it to registry@birmanride.com.au.
Our 3 business day guarantee - we will assess the merits of your application and provide you with a response within 3 business days or your online EDL assessment is free.
If you would rather discuss your application in person, we will review the merits of your case at a 1 hour EDL assessment. An EDL assessment costs $275 inclusive of GST.
Before your EDL assessment please email your completed EDL Instruction Form to registry@birmanride.com.au.
You will need to bring to your assessment:
- a photographic identity document (e.g. passport or proof of age card);
- your State Traffic Certificate
- a description of the circumstances of each traffic conviction recorded on your Traffic Certificate;
- your criminal record, if applicable;
- a summary of yours and your partner’s financial circumstances and current employment;
- information relating to any particular benefits you would obtain from receiving an EDL (e.g. job promotion, increased salary); and
- information relating to any particular detriments of you not receiving an EDL (e.g. losing your job, inability to attend medical appointments, family circumstances).
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Following your EDL assessment, if you wish to proceed with your application we will:
- prepare your application, along with a supporting affidavit outlining the reasons why the Court should grant you an EDL;
- lodge your application at the Court; and
- prepare for and attend Court with you at a hearing to determine your application.
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Applying to the Court
| Our fixed price |
$825 |
| Court filing fee |
$155 |
| Total |
$980 |
Our fixed price does not include other expenses or disbursements that you may incur, including obtaining a national police certificate or state traffic certificate, or the costs of obtaining an EDL from the Department of Transport if your application is successful.
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Even if your application is successful, you must not drive until you obtain an EDL from the Department of Transport.