Dylan Parnis, 26, pleaded guilty at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Monday to driving while suspended, failing an oral fluid test and failing to appear on bail.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Ben Jones said police intercepted Parnis for a routine check while he was driving in Melton in July 2018.

An analysis of an oral fluid test showed the presence of methamphetamine and cannabis in his system.

The court heard police intercepted Parnis driving in Melton at 3.30am on August 30, 2019.

Checks showed his licence was suspended at court 10 days earlier.

Parnis told police he did not know his licence was suspended and could not be 'bothered'.

A defence lawyer said Parnis had spent 69 days in prison before he appeared at court on Monday via audio visual link.

The court heard Parnis was sentenced in the County Court on March 28, 2020 to a community corrections order, with a requirement he complete assessment and treatment in relation to drug abuse and 100 hours unpaid community work.

The defence lawyer said Parnis had been using cannabis since he was a teenager and started using ice two years ago after the death of his mother.

Magistrate Noreen Toohey said it seemed Parnis needed assistance in the community to deal with his drug issues.

Parnis was fined a total of $1600 and suspended from driving for 12 months.

"If the police find you driving whilst suspended, you will be charged and that attracts a jail term," Ms Toohey said.

"Do not drive."

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