They had gone into town to get a warrant of fitness when William David Craig's mother became ill and he was forced to drive home, the Whanganui District Court was told on Tuesday.
Craig was convicted of driving while disqualified for a third or subsequent time. His case was remanded to March 28.
Counsel Raukawa Simon said her client was the primary caregiver for his mother who had driven the two into town to get a warrant of fitness for her car.
While they waited the mother became ill and a cousin was called to take her home to access a nebuliser. Craig was left with the car which he drove home afterwards.
Craig had three convictions for disqualified driving and four convictions for driving drunk.