With effect from 28 January 2010 mutual recognition of driving disqualifications between the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland came into force. This was done under the framework of the European Convention on Driving Disqualifications of 17 June 1998 ("the Convention "). The purpose of the Convention is to prevent drivers disqualified from driving in a Member State of the European Union (EU), other than their own, from escaping the consequences when they return home. Although the Convention enters into force only when all signatory Member States have adopted it, it allows Member States to apply its terms early. The Governments of the UK and Ireland have exercised this option, enabling mutual recognition of driving disqualifications between their respective jurisdictions
Until now both Governments were unable to enforce disqualifications issued by the other jurisdiction. As a result drivers disqualified from driving in Northern Ireland for example could still legally drive in Ireland.
The initiative was first discussed at a North/South Ministerial Council meeting as a response to road safety in the border counties. Transport is a significant area for North/South co-operation and with increasing numbers of people travelling across the border in both directions Ministers were keen to ensure that drivers would no longer be able to escape prosecution because they were registered in a different jurisdiction.
Penalty Points
The new initiative also includes a commitment to examine the mutual recognition of penalty points. However, this is likely to take longer to enforce because each of the three jurisdictions – Northern Ireland, UK and Ireland are currently operating separate penalty point systems.
At the 10th Plenary Meeting of the North South Ministerial Council on the 5 July 2010 in Dublin the Joint Communiqué mentions that work is continuing "on the longer term objective of the mutual recognition of penalty points"
