James was almost one and half times the legal limit when he was pulled over as he left a rugby club in Gorseinon, Swansea, on 27 May.
The 53-year-old admitted drink driving and driving without insurance at Swansea Magistrates Court.
James, who is a BBC Wales football pundit, was banned for 16 months.
He was also ordered to pay a total of 」575 in fines and court costs and was told that his ban will be cut to 12 months if he takes and completes a course for drink drivers.
James played for Swansea City in the early 1980s during the club's rise to English football's First Division.
He also played for six other clubs during his 19-year playing career, including three spells at Burnley, Sunderland, Derby County, Queen's Park Rangers, Newport County and Bury.
He made 54 appearances for Wales, scoring 10 goals.
