Motorists in China who are caught drink-driving will have their licenses suspended immediately, according to an amendment to the country's driving license regulations, which comes into effect Thursday.

The regulation was issued and amended by China's Ministry of Public Security.

Drink-drivers found with a blood alcohol level of more than 20 milligrams per 100 milliliters of blood will get 12 demerit points instead of the previous six points for the first offense, the amendment said.

According to the regulation and the Law on Road Traffic Safety, a driver's license will be suspended if the driver has 12 points within a year, and the driver must go through a seven-day course on traffic laws and regulations before resitting the driving license test.

Under the amendment, motorists who reverse or drive the wrong way or make a U-turn on highways will also receive the harsher 12 demerit points.

Motorist with valid licenses who are found using counterfeit registration plates or forged driving licenses would also receive 12 demerit points and immediate suspension of the license.

One the other hand, the amendment eases restrictions on driving licenses for disabled people.

The previous rule granted licenses for people with disabled left legs, but not for the ones with disabled right legs.

The amendment provides that people with disabled legs who can sit up independently are entitled to apply for a driving license for specially designed vehicles on the condition that safety facilities have been equipped.

The hearing-impaired can apply for licenses to drive small cars if they wear hearing aids and pass hearing tests, the amendment said.