New Zealand actor Benjamin Mitchell was banned from driving. The “Shortland Street” star won’t be getting behind the wheel for the next six months after he pleaded guilty in Auckland District Court on Thursday for driving while suspended.

The 35-year-old actor, who portrays Dr TK Samuels in the long-running medical soap, lost his license in October after acquiring excessive demerit points. However, he was still caught driving on Hobson St on December 6.

“He says he was very, very busy on that day and didn’t have someone to drive him around. He had important things to do so he says he took the chance,” his lawyer was quoted by the Fairfax NZ News as saying.

“He realises it was foolish and takes responsibility for that.”

Mitchell was fined $300 and ordered to pay $130 in court costs. He was also banned from driving for six months. The ban will commence on January 25 when his previous suspension was supposed to end, and will conclude on July 31, 2014.

The actor, known for his love of driving, was still in good spirit despite his disqualification.

Outside the court, he was asked if he would use a bicycle in the meantime, he conceded, “I could do with the cardio. Work off all that Christmas pudding.”

He had an entirely different stance on bikes just in October. Speaking to New Zealand Herald about his love of cars, he had denounced riding public transportation and had described bicycles as “for children.”

“People bike to work and then come to a party and want to get a lift with you. They’re using other people,” he said.

He also bragged about his black Holden Commodore, calling it “powerful.”

“And it looks good. It suits me,” Mitchell said, adding that no one was allowed to drive the vehicle but him.

Benjamin Mitchell in 2009