Conner McCarry, 21, was denied bail in Port Kembla Local Court on Wednesday, having been arrested that morning for failing to front court on Tuesday.

Police documents reveal McCarry was charged with driving under the influence of drugs over the May 2014 incident, after blood tests showed he had amphetamines in his system.

He admitted he'd smoked ice through a pipe about half an hour before police pulled him over around 10pm on May 2 at Woonona.

Officers observed McCarry to be pale and restless at the time, and his eyes were bloodshot.

They said he seemed to be confused when talking and his movements were sluggish.

Blood tests carried out at Wollongong Hospital confirmed the presence of the drugs.

When McCarry failed to show at court on Tuesday he was convicted of the charge in his absence and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

He was picked up by police at Russell Vale early on Wednesday.

Police opposed McCarry's bail application, saying he had a history of ignoring court orders and forgetting his court dates.

In refusing bail, registrar Bruiceen Coulthard said there were no conditions that could be imposed on McCarry to reduce the risk of him failing to turn up to court.

The case was adjourned to Monday for a bail application in front of a magistrate.