Police say they are staggered by the "stupidity" of three Sydney work colleagues who were allegedly caught drink-driving in the same ute within minutes of each other near Newcastle overnight.

When the first driver was hauled away to the police station for allegedly failing a roadside breath-test, his colleague who was a passenger in the vehicle then hopped in the driver's seat in plain view of officers, police say.

He also allegedly failed a roadside breath-test and was arrested and removed from the vehicle.

Not to be outdone, the third colleague then allegedly got behind the wheel and drove away before he also was stopped, police say.

The trio were united at Toronto Police Station a short time later, where they each allegedly failed further breath-tests and were charged with drink-driving offences.