Dwane Harding, 30, faced Bendigo Magistrates Court on Wednesday on charges of driving while disqualified, failing to stop, driving an unroadworthy car, driving an unregistered car and fraudulent use of number plates. 

Police prosecutor David Somerton said the charges related to an incident on October 23 last year when police attempted to pull over a car being driven by Harding in Ham Street, Golden Square.

The car, which had faulty tail lights and a number plate which belonged to a different car, failed to stop initially but experienced problems on Kangaroo Gully Road and came to an involuntary stop after a police pursuit.

Mr Harding admitted to police at the time he was disqualified and that it was a "foolish" thing to do.

Police prosecutor Somerton said as a consequence of driving while disqualified, Mr Harding breached a suspended sentence relating to previous driving offences.

The court heard that Harding was disqualified for driving for two years from August 2013 and had spent time in prison in the past for similar offences. 

Defence lawyer Marcus Williams said his client was under the impression the vehicle driven on October 23 was in his cousin's name, but understood it didn't excuse driving while disqualified.

Mr Williams also said Harding suffered a relationship breakdown during his last prison term and that as a father of two, a further prison term would impact on his family responsibilities.

Magistrate Bruce Cottrill noted Harding's "appalling" prior history and said he was pleading guilty to serious charges.

"Your prior history speaks for itself," he said.

"One wonders what it was that persuaded you to drive, let alone getting involved in a police pursuit.

"It's lucky the car you were driving was not up for the job.

"Sadly for you, you're up for a further term of imprisonment."

Magistrate Cottrill convicted and sentenced Harding to a prison term of eight months non-parole and disqualified him from driving a further 15 months.