A 48-year-old man has been accused of drink driving with three children in the car after being stopped by police in Sydney in the early hours of New Year's Day.

Police said officers stopped a Mitsubishi Outlander allegedly driving with its headlights off in Allambie Heights, near Manly, about 1.45am on Tuesday.

Police allege the driver failed a breath test, and was taken to Dee Why Police Station where he was tested again.

Officers claim the man blew 0.168 at the station — a blood-alcohol reading of more than three times the legal limit.

The man was issued with a court attendance notice for an alleged high-range drink-driving offence and his licence was suspended.

Four passengers were in the car at the time, including three children, aged two, nine and 10.

A woman was also in the vehicle.

The man is due to appear at Manly Local Court on February 6.

A child-at-risk notification has been submitted to the Department of Family and Community Services following the alleged incident.