Driver Jordan Brabbin took drastic action when boxed in - mounting the kerb, crossing a grassy area and car park before returning to the road.
But he had not realised it was part of police action to check his black Landrover Discovery, city magistrates heard.
He had fitted this with false number plates because he needed it for work and feared a driving ban after using a mobile phone at the wheel.
Stephen Burdon, mitigating, told the court: "He made a number of decisions which can all fall to be described as at best foolish."
Brabbin, 19, stood little chance of avoiding detection because of the automatic number plate recognition system used by forces, said Mr Burdon.
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"It is on the police computer and he just pinged the ANPR when he pulled up at some traffic lights.
"The second decision was that it would not be sensible to drive across the side of the road to try and avoid being stopped.
"But there was some panic because the vehicles were unmarked and seemed to be challenging," said Mr Burdon. Brabbin was arrested soon after the incident on March 3.
He was ordered to do 120 hours unpaid work and was banned from driving for six months. Costs of £170 were ordered from Brabbin of Stainsborough Road, Hucknall.
He admitted careless driving; fraudulent used of a registration mark; no insurance and having a small amount of cannabis. He also pleaded guilty to driving at 38mph in a built-up area on February 23.
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Daniel Pietryka, prosecuting, said that police officers saw the vehicle in Basford and decided to follow it.
"When it came to a standstill, they decided to box it in but the vehicle mounted the kerb, drove over a grassed area, over the path and onto a car park.
"The vehicle then came back onto the road and came to a stop. The driver got out and started to run down the High Road and has been stopped soon afterwards.
"He said he was scared and panicked. He accepted that his driving was below the standard," added Mr Pietryka.
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