A 41-year-old Douglas man has admitted refusing to take a breathalyser test.
Christopher Mooney was seen by police getting into his car outside the Bordello nightclub and was later stopped at Woodbourne Road.
But at police headquarters he declined to produce a sample of breath.
He pleaded guilty to an offence of failing to provide and will be sentenced in summary court on February 24 after a probation report has been prepared.
Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court that police were on foot patrol outside Bordello on January 9 at 1.46am when they saw Mooney unsteady on his feet.
Officers witnessed him get into his van and start to drive away.
They tried to flag him down but were unable to.
Other officers intercepted him on Woodbourne Road and stopped him.
He was described as slurring his words and smelling of alcohol, and was taken to police headquarters.
Mooney, who lives at Empress Drive, started to take a breathalyser test but then the procedure was interrupted as he said he wanted to take legal advice.
He then refused to provide a sample.
Defence advocate David Clegg said while Mooney was at the police station he had been unable to reach a duty advocate by telephone.
He said he had then politely declined to take the test, but Mr Clegg said that officers are not required to delay the procedure and it reaches a point where they can insist.
Mr Clegg said: ’Under a misapprehension he declined. He was mistaken as to his right to do so.’
The advocate asked for a probation report to be prepared before sentencing.
Bail continues in the sum of £500 with a condition not to drive.