Police seize Carlos Tevez's £140,000 Bentley

Manchester United  star Carlos Tevez had his £140,000 Bentley seized after it was found he did not have a full UK driving licence, Greater Manchester Police have said.

The Argentina international was stopped by traffic officers on the hard shoulder of the M60 near Stretford in Manchester and they impounded his white Bentley Continental GT Speed.

Police said they asked him to pull over, suspecting the car's windows were too dark.

Tests at the roadside showed the tint was illegal, police said.

Tevez, 25, is now being investigated by Greater Manchester Police for driving without a valid licence and could face prosecution, a police source said.

The maximum penalty for driving without a valid licence carries a £1,000 fine and six points.

View our slide show of Cheshire celebs and their supercars

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "Shortly after 9.20am on Friday 6 February 2009, traffic officers pulled over a Bentley close to junction 7 of the M60.

"The officers were concerned certain windows were illegally tinted.

"They were tested and found to be too dark so a prohibition notice was issued to the driver.

"When asked to provide his documentation, it was discovered the driver did not have a full UK driving licence and was advised to arrange removal of the car.

"As he could not arrange this, the car was removed under Section 165 of Road Traffic Act 1988."

Ronaldo’s brand-new Ferrari 599 was recently involved in a collision in a Manchester tunnel leaving the £200,000-plus supercar seriously damaged.

Despite considerable damage, the Portuguese superstar emerged from the Ferrari unscathed and was driven to training in a Bentley by team-mate Edwin van der Sar.

Ronaldo was then photographed leaving training later that day in his own Bentley Continental GT Speed. 

A police spokesman said: "On Thursday 5 February 2009, around 3pm, traffic officers on A34 Kingsway stopped a car they believed was being driven at speed.

"The car slowed as officers approached it so no official speed check could be made.

"However the driver was pulled over, had his documents checked and was advised on his driving.

"There was no evidence that any offences had been committed."

Motoring lawyer Nick Freeman, known as "Mr Loophole" for helping celebrities avoid driving convictions, today warned other foreign footballers playing in the Premier League that they must ensure they take a driving test and have a valid UK driving licence.

He said: "We have seen an increasing rise in the number of foreign players playing Premier League football.

"They reside full-time in the UK and mistakenly believe - or are advised - that they are entitled to drive legally under their foreign driving licences.

"It is illegal. Their insurance policy is therefore void. They are in jeopardy of having their motor cars seized.

"It is imperative they drive under the provisions of a UK driving licence which involves them passing a driving test."

Video: Watch our video review of the Bentley Continental GT