The move will close a loophole which currently allows a driver disqualified for motoring offences in one member state to carry on driving anywhere else inside the 15 member states.

Complex negotiations over the EU-wide ban have been going on for seven years. Until now, different national views on motoring offences and their penalties have delayed agreement.

... but different countries have different drink-drive laws

With differing drink-drive laws, for instance, some countries have hesitated to agree that a motorist disqualified for breaching Sweden's ultra-tough drink-drive laws should be banned automatically in another state with less harsh rules.

The breakthrough came last month, when UK Home Secretary Jack Straw announced that a political deal had been reached, ensuring equal recognition of any driving disqualification issued in any member state.

Mr Straw will chair a follow-up meeting which will settle remaining technical details on operation of the scheme.