The government has announced a new law to keep disqualified drivers off UK and Irish roads.
From today, motorists banned from driving in the UK will also be banned from Ireland. Similarly, Irish drivers banned in their home country will also be banned from driving on UK roads.
The agreement between British, Irish and Northern Irish ministers is the first step towards recognising driving bans across Europe, a requirement of the 1998 European Convention on driving disqualifications.
Road safety minister Paul Clark said the new law was an important step in making the UK’s roads safer.
“We need to continue to work to make our roads even safer and if a UK driver commits a serious offence while in Ireland it is right that their ban should still apply when they return home,” he said.
“From today this new law will ensure that disqualified drivers are not able to escape their punishment and so keep dangerous drivers off the roads.”
