Kuetha Luak was waiting in a line of traffic on Mair Street in July when police on motorcycles saw him on his mobile phone.

Police used their lights to direct him to pull over on the side of the road.

A breath test a short time later recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.203, more than four times the legal limit.

Luak told police he was driving to buy some food.

He said he had been drinking light beer before starting on Coronas and had four to five drinks, but then told police he was not sure.

Luak pleaded guilty at the Ballarat Magistrates Court on Thursday to drink-driving and driving while using a mobile phone.

Magistrate Ron Saines told Luak his drinking was a gross intoxication.

"If you ever drive a motor vehicle in this state of intoxication in the future you must expect to be in prison," Mr Saines said.

The court was told Luak received a notice to hand over his vehicle to police but he was yet to comply with the order.

Luak, who represented himself in court, said he was driving to Subway to get some food.

He said he was starting a new job on Monday.

Luak was banned from driving for 20 months and fined $1250. He was ordered to pay $119.90 in court costs.