Transport minister gets driving ban for using phony licence plate

The Czech Republic now has a transport minister without a driving licence.

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

Transport Ministry spokesman Tomas Dombrovsky said the ban and fine of 5000 koruna ($280) 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.