Hundreds of thousands of learner and newly-qualified motorists -- more than one-in-five of all drivers -- face disqualification if they clock up just six penalty points.

This is half the normal amount of points needed for disqualification.

A 'three strikes and you're out rule' is being introduced under the new learner permit system to replace provisional licences, the Irish Independent has learned.

It is understood that the graduated restrictions, commonplace in the UK, Sweden and Germany will be swiftly introduced here as part of the Government's new strategy to bring road deaths down below 300 annually.

The six points ban -- or clocking up just three speeding offences, each worth two points -- will apply to anyone getting a new learner permit and the 400,000 motorists currently on provisional licences.

It will also apply to newly qualified drivers on a full licence for a period of several years under a new graduated licensing system being introduced.

Currently drivers who run up 12 penalty points, normally through six speeding offences worth two points each, are banned for six months.

It means that one-in-five drivers on provisional licences, learner permits or newly qualified face the swingeing new 'probation' restrictions.

The ground-breaking Government measure is being unveiled tomorrow as part of the new Road Safety Strategy for the next three years.

Even newly qualified drivers holding full licences face being put off the road for several years after they receive a total of just six penalty points, half the normal amount needed for disqualification.

Learner permits are due to be implemented very shortly, but it is expected to take some months before the six points rule will be phased-in.

The far-reaching measures are being launched tomorrow by Transport Minister Noel Dempsey and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at a news conference in Government Buildings.

The graduated licence move will bring Ireland into line with the majority of other European countries where learners are not automatically entitled to the same privileges as qualified drivers.

One of the key aims of the graduated system is to target young learner drivers, particularly young males aged 17 to 24, either currently on a provisional licence or soon to take out the replacement learner permit.

When they eventually pass the driving test the drivers will remain subject to restrictions, including the six points rule, for several years.

The Automobile Association (AA) yesterday welcomed the plan to legislate for a reduction in the drink driving limit from 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, which was also included in the new strategy.

However, the AA said that this would have to be accompanied and backed up by "very comprehensive enforcement".