Gregory John Soper narrowly avoided suspension thanks to an unblemished 24-year driving record, after he plead guilty to mid-range drink driving on a private driveway.

The maximum penalty for the offence is nine months' imprisonment.

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His defence said Soper, who has won awards for his farming skills, had been drinking when his sister visited him at his home on June 22.

He asked her for a lift from the rural property where he lives to the Shoalhaven Heads shops to purchase cigarettes.

According to the defence, on the way home, they passed the property of a man with whom Soper has been in an ongoing dispute. Soper understood the man had indicated he would give him an apology, and said to his sister, "I'll go get that apology."

Soper's defence said his sister pulled into the man's driveway before saying she did not want to be part of the dispute, and walked to her parents' home nearby: "My client was unaware it is illegal to drive on a private road intoxicated - he would not put the community at risk in this way."

Soper was "polite, cooperative and respectful" to police, and needs his licence to attend medical appointments and access services. Public transport is not available from his home.

Magistrate Gabriel Fleming took into account Soper's 24-year driving record in sentending.

"On days like today you want to be pleased you have no major traffic offences over all the time you have held your licence," she said.

"It was a very short distance, and I accept you have a strong need for your licence."

Soper was given a six-month conditional release order, and instructed to complete a traffic offender's program.