New legislation has come into force that requires UK drivers disqualified for serious motoring offences in Ireland to serve their full ban if they return to the UK.
Similarly, disqualifications earned by Irish drivers in the UK will be recognised and enforced when they return home.
The new law is the first practical step to recognising driving disqualifications in Europe under the terms of the 1998 European Convention on driving disqualifications.
Ellen Booth, Campaign Officer with the UK motoring charity 'Brake', said: "This common-sense measure is long overdue.
"Offenders who are disqualified for risk-taking on roads should not be 'let off' their ban simply because they have crossed the border into another country and Brake urges the UK government to negotiate similar agreements with other countries.
"Reciprocal agreements should also extend to drivers disqualified under the totting-up system, who have shown repeated disregard for their own and other people's safety on the road."
