A new law has come into force in the UK and Ireland to keep drivers banned from driving off the two countries’ roads.

Under the law drivers disqualified for serious motoring offences in the UK will also be banned from driving in Ireland, and drivers banned in Ireland will be banned from driving in the UK.

The new law is the first practical step to recognise driving disqualifications in Europe under the terms of the 1998 European Convention on Driving Disqualifications, according to the UK’s Department for Transport.

Under the convention if a driver is disqualified from driving in a member state other than his or her normal place of residence, he/she should not escape the consequences of disqualification when returning home.

Offences that can lead to disqualification include reckless or dangerous driving, hit-and-run driving, drunk-driving and driving while disqualified.