A man who was nearly eight times the legal blood alcohol limit was having trouble standing when he was caught drink-driving, police say.
A Katherine resident called police after seeing a man driving erratically and revving a car engine in Donegan Street at about 10.15am (AEST) on Sunday.
Police said the 33-year-old was breath-tested in Cameron Street, returning a blood alcohol reading of 0.385.
Experts say a person can die from alcohol poisoning with a reading of 0.4 or above.
The man was charged with high-range drink-driving and disorderly driving, and was granted bail to appear in Katherine Magistrates Court on January 4.
It is believed to be one of the highest blood alcohol readings ever recorded in the territory.