Joshua Shelton wasn’t behind the wheel, because he’s been banned from driving until May next year.

And his car did not have the vanity plates Shelton, 18, had ordered.

VicRoads recently refused his application for numberplates reading “1ARM HOON”, sources said yesterday.

Shelton and up to 12 mates were hooning in at least two cars in Victa Road, Bendigo East, early yesterday.

Shelton was a passenger in his car when a 19-year-old mate from Kangaroo Flat performed a series of burnouts about 2.30am, Sergeant Mark Holloway said.

Two cars, including Shelton’s, were impounded.

But, police say, less than two hours later, Shelton and his mate were out again.

This time they were in the Kangaroo Flat man’s car, and it was impounded about 4am.

“(Shelton) was also a passenger in the second car,” Sergeant Holloway said.

Police said they were appalled at the group’s actions, particularly as Shelton had nearly died six months ago in a horror smash on the Calder Highway.

On January 2, Shelton was driving his Holden south at Ravenswood when he lost control. The car flipped and skidded for more than 140 metres.

Surgeons amputated Shelton’s right arm and he was still recovering seven weeks later when he was caught doing burnouts in Myers Street.

When Shelton appeared in court in April, magistrate Jenny Tregent said his actions were “mind-blowing”.

“It is just completely inexcusable that someone can behave in that manner,” she said.

It’s understood Shelton received a significant payout from the Transport Accident Commission as a result of his injury.

Police said there was no suggestion Shelton was driving his car yesterday, but were at a loss as to why someone with such a history would travel in a car being driven erratically.

They will apply to have Shelton’s friend’s car impounded for three months under hoon legislation.

Leading Senior Constable Peter Dyer of the traffic management unit said yesterday: “The mentality of these people is what concerns me.

“It’s almost a rite of passage to get your car impounded.

“A magistrate needs to send a very clear message to the community that this type of behaviour is not acceptable (because) right now these people treat it with contempt and as a joke.”