Czech transport minister banned from driving

[November 10, 2010]  PRAGUE (AP) -- The Czech Republic now has a transport minister without a driving license.

Vit Barta has been banned from driving for six months and fined for using a phony license plate on his car.

Transport Ministry spokesman Tomas Dombrovsky said Tuesday the ban and fine of 5,000 koruna ($283) came after Barta was found driving his Maserati home from his wedding in July.

Dombrovsky said the minister had lost his original plate while driving on a rugged dirt road and was using a phony one to replace it. That is illegal in the Czech Republic.

Barta told the CT24 news television he has accepted the punishment.

[Associated Press]

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