Transport minister loses driving licence

Prague/Nymburk, Central Bohemia, Nov 8 (CTK) - Czech Transport Minister Vit Barta (Public Affairs, VV) has lost his driving licence and was fined 5000 crowns as he drove without a valid licence plate, only with its pasted copy, the commercial television station Nova said yesterday.

Barta will only be allowed to drive in May, Nova said, adding that Barta has become the first Czech transport minister who was suspended his driving licence due to his own mistake.

Barta's case was dealt with within an administrative action.

Barta, who only had his driving licence for two years, could have been fined 10,000 crowns and may have lost the driving licence for a year.

"I have been suspended my driving licence for six months. If there is the rule of no double standards, I will naturally not appeal the decision," Barta told Nova.

If he did so, he would paradoxically appeal to himself and his subordinates would decide on his case, Nova said.

Barta told Nova he had fully accepted the decision of the Nymburk authority.

Barta said until May he would only use his ministerial car and he would be driven by his wife at weekends.

($1=17.462 crowns)