Shawn Jarrod Fisher, 32, returned a reading of 0.144 after he was detected by police driving at Dubbo and with a passenger on board.

He pleaded guilty in Dubbo Local Court to mid-range drink driving.

A solicitor representing Fisher said his client was at "serious risk of losing his job" if he was convicted - because it would mean a period of disqualification - and asked that a conditional discharge be considered, which would allow Fisher to stay on the road.

The "remorseful, contrite" man "erroneously believed he was right to drive, the solicitor said.

"Should he be convicted today he is at serious risk of losing his job," he said.

But despite the guilty plea at the first opportunity, Fisher's remorse and character references magistrate Philip Stewart said a conviction was appropriate.

He said the reading of 0.144 was towards the top end of the mid-range, which increased the moral culpability.

The presence of a passenger was an aggravating feature, and Fisher's vehicle being detected driving at a speed of 60km/h in a residential area did not assist him, the magistrate said.

Fisher was fined $400 and disqualified for the minimum period of six months.