Essential Driver Training (edt)
Essential Driver Training (EDT) is a driver training course that teaches fundamental driving skills to those learning to drive manual and automatic cars. It is part of the RSA's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) scheme and is intended to improve road safety in Ireland.
If the issue date of your first B category (Car) learner permit is on or after 4 April 2011, in order to be able to sit your full driving test, you must first complete all your EDT driving lessons.
The Essential Driver Training Lessons
The Essential Driver Training course is made up of 12 one-hour lessons, which you must complete before taking your Driving test.
Preparation for your first lesson
In the R.S.A. guidelines for EDT, it is recommended that the learner driver takes three hours of lessons in preparation before starting your EDT lesson 1. Leinster Driving Campus is in the unique position of being able to offer PRE EDT lessons on our campus prior to you gaining your Learner Permit. During your PRE EDT lessons we'll familiarise you with your vehicles primary controls i.e. foot controls and hand controls; your secondary controls i.e. windscreen wipers and lights; along with moving off and stopping safely. Once you've received your Learner Permit we can stamp your EDT 1 as already being complete, therefore you've only another 11 to complete!
We can guarantee that we offer the most complete EDT package. No other driving school Dublin or driving school Kildare can have you more prepared to complete your EDT due to the advantage of having no pressure in those vital early driving lessons.
Essential Driver Training lessons timeline
What do the lessons cover?
Each of the EDT driving lessons has particular objectives. You should prepare for each lesson using the EDT Course Syllabus which will be given to you by your driving instructor.
The 12 lessons are titled:
- lesson 1: car controls and safety checks
- lesson 2: correct positioning
- lesson 3: changing direction
- lesson 4: progression management
- lesson 5: correct positioning
- lesson 6: anticipation and reaction
- lesson 7: sharing the road
- lesson 8: driving safely through traffic
- lesson 9: changing direction (more complex situations)
- lesson 10: speed management
- lesson 11: driving calmly
- lesson 12: night driving
How the logbook works
When you start your first EDT lesson, you will be given an official logbook by your ADI to record the details of your training and progress, as well as necessary preparation for your next driving lessons.
When you complete an EDT driving lesson, your ADI will stamp the relevant section of your logbook and record some feedback on how well or whether you met the lesson objectives. To meet the lesson objectives you must prepare properly, practice with a Sponsor if possible, and in some cases you may need to take additional instruction.
An ADI can only sign the driving lessons they have given, so be sure to get your logbook updated by your ADI after each lesson. If you change ADIs, your new ADI will not be able to fill out your logbook for lessons you have already taken.
The logbook also provides space for both you and your Sponsor to assess your performance in your EDT lessons. This evaluation will help you understand what you need to practice to become a safer driver and how best to prepare for your next lesson.
Bring your logbook to each EDT lesson
On the day of your driving test you should bring your completed logbook on the appointed test date, as you may be required to show it to the examiner.
Replacement logbooks
If your logbook gets lost or damaged, you should make a report with the Gardai and you will then need to obtain a duplicate logbook from your ADI. This may involve a waiting period, so it is important that you keep your logbook secure.