Terry Naugle hid his face as he was led into Dartmouth provincial court. (CBC)

Nova Scotia's most notorious drunk driver is appealing his latest prison sentence of six years and nine months, saying the term is too harsh.

Terry Naugle, 52, from the Truro area was handed what is believed to be Nova Scotia's longest sentence for drunk driving this month after pleading guilty to impaired driving, leaving the scene of an accident and driving while prohibited.

Peter Planetta, Naugle's lawyer, said the appeal stems from his client's belief that the punishment was too severe.

"The reason why he's appealing the sentence is that he [believes] … it's overly harsh. And the reason for saying that is that a consecutive sentence was imposed in addition to the maximum penalty which is five years," Planetta said.

On Feb 12, Provincial Court Judge Frank Hoskins sentenced Naugle to eight and a half years in prison and banned him from driving for life.

Naugle received double credit for time served since his arrest on the charges.

That had the effect of making the sentence a maximum of six years and nine months.

At the time of Naugle's sentencing, Hoskins said it was "amazing" that Naugle had not killed anyone while impaired on the road.

He said the sentence was meant to send a message that drunk driving is a serious and dangerous offence.

Naugle has 68 previous convictions, 22 for impaired driving, since 1974.

The latest convictions are for an incident on March 28, 2009, when Naugle side-swiped an SUV parked near an off-ramp on Highway 102, near Enfield.

No one was hurt in the crash, but David McMillan, wife Julia and daughter Jillian described it as a terrifying close call.