A DRUNKEN "test drive" of a motorised esky has cost a man $500 and left him without a licence to drive for 9 months.

Christopher Ian Petrie of Noosa, made national headlines last week after The Noosa Journal broke the story of the 23 year-old caught driving the four-stroke "extreme cooler" under the influence earlier this year.

A packed Noosa Heads Magistrates Court heard Petrie and a friend had each purchased an esky online "for a bit of a giggle."

he court heard that when Petrie and his friend managed to get the esky started, they decided to take it for a "test drive" along Hastings Street where they were intercepted by police.

Prosecutor Senior Sergeant Tony Melmeth said the esky was travelling at "approximately 20 kilometres per hour" when officers intercepted the pair and carried out a random breath test on Noosa Parade.

Petrie registered a 0.160 per cent blood alcohol level and told police he did not have a licence.

Mr Bradley told magistrate John Parker that his client "didn't realise the esky was classified as a motor vehicle" and had not intended to break the law.

Mr Parker said he accepted that Petrie didn't think it was a motor vehicle before asking the defendant whether the esky was "loaded" when he was intercepted by police.

More than a few chuckles were heard from the gallery and the bench when Mr Bradley informed the court "the esky was holding three cans of Bundaberg rum and coke and some ice."

In sentencing Mr Parker said while he "didn't condone driving around drunk on an esky" the circumstances of the case were "unusual."

"I had to consult the statute to satisfy myself that the esky is indeed a vehicle," Mr Parker said.

"It's an unfortunate situation if he'd been drunk on a horse he'd have been ok.

"Never the less you were in a motor vehicle...on a motor vehicle... and there must be a penalty."

Mr Parker imposed the minimum mandatory penalty of a 9 month disqualification for driving under the influence,with an additional month for not having a licence. He fined Petrie $500.

Petrie told The Journal he had learnt a valuable lesson.

"My mate and I thought it would be a bit of fun, but I understand I've done the wrong thing," he said.

As for whether he'd be back out on the esky any time in the future Petrie joked that he may sell the esky, valued at $600, to pay for his fine.

"It has got me into a bit of trouble, it might be time to get rid of it," he said.

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Originally published as Drunk esky driver loses licence