A man was banned from driving after a white van was seen rolling backwards in the middle of a road early one morning.
The reversing lights were on and Craig Smith told police officers that it had "conked out," Nottingham Magistrates' Court heard.
Former delivery man Smith, 38, denied being at the wheel but failed a breath test and was convicted of drink driving. He failed to attend his trial.
A one-year driving ban was imposed on Smith, a former delivery man of Dowson Street, St Ann's. He was fined £120 and must also pay £210 costs.
Joanne Reynolds, prosecuting, said that he claimed not to have been driving but went on: "Mr Smith was seen getting out of the driver's side and standing in the road.
"He said it was conked out and that Mr Smith was not driving the vehicle."
Chris Saunders, defending, said Smith had become "frustrated with the court system" while preparing for his trial.
He was given an email address to submit a list of witnesses - but this "bounced back" when he sent in the details.
Mr Saunders added: "He then phoned the court with the information but got lost numerous times in the switchboard system. He became disengaged with the process of the trial."
Tests showed he had 46 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, 11 over the legal limit. If he completes a course on the perils of drink driving, his disqualification will be reduced by three months.
