All learner drivers must complete EDT (12 lessons) in manual or automatic car before booking and taking their driving test.

What is Essential Driver Training?

Essential Driver Training (EDT) is a mandatory training course that teaches fundamental driving skills to learner car drivers. It is part of the RSA's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) scheme and is intended to improve road safety. EDT is only part of the learning process, you will need lots of practice with your sponsor and may need more lesson from your driving instructor to become a safe driver.

Why do I need EDT Lessons?

Studies show that young drivers and inexperienced drivers are more likely to crush or be seriously injured in collisions, and EDT lesson is one of several measures introduced by the RSA to help improve critical driving knowledge, skills and behaviours of new drivers. 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 book and sit your full driving test, you must first complete all EDT lessons. If you are not required to complete EDT, you may still choose to take an EDT course, as it can help increase your chances of passing the driving test and will help make you a better safer driver.

What does EDT involve?

EDT Lessons EDT Lessons is a course of 12 hours lessons. These lessons are designed to cover certain critical driving skills and improve your practical driving skills. As you complete each lesson, your Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) will record your progress in a specially issued logbook which you will get it for free with Adrian Driving School. You should also have a Sponsor, an experienced driver (many learner drivers choose a family member who has a full licence for at least 2 years) who will supervise your driving practice outside of lessons, and will also track your progress in your logbook. After you finish your EDT lesson course, you may still need additional lessons with an ADI to improve your driving skills. Additionally, you should practice with your Sponsor as much as possible to get comfortable behind the wheel.

Benefits of EDT lessons

Completing your essential driver training course will help you to: understand what it means to be a better and safer driver. Practice your driving skills in a structured way that is focussed on your own learning needs.

Develop lifelong skills that will make you a better safer driver. If you book your 12 hours EDT lessons with Adrian Driving School you will get your free of charge logbook, Adrian L plates and First Ireland insurance discount up to 20%.

Reduce EDT lessons!

A reduced Essential Driver Training (EDT) programme is available for foreign licence holders who can't exchange their licence in Ireland. It involves taking 6 driving lessons instead of the usual 12 and you don't have to wait 6 months to sit a driving test. Reduced Essential Driver Training Programme (EDT) for Full Foreign Licence Holders From 21 January 2019 the Road Safety Authority (RSA) will introduce a reduced EDT programme for drivers who currently hold a full car licence (category B) but come from a country that does not have a licence exchange agreement with Ireland. When you get your fi rst Irish learner permit, in order to sit your driving test you must complete Essential Driver Training (EDT). The full course is twelve one-hour sessions.

The reduced EDT programme is six one-hour sessions. It will teach you some of the most vital driving skills and help you to continue driving safely by improving your knowledge and understanding of road safety in Ireland.

Who can apply?

Holders of a current full foreign driving licence from another country with which Ireland does not have a licence exchange agreement.

Conditions for applying:

1. You must hold a full foreign driving licence.
2. You must have held a licence for at least two years.
3. Your licence must not have expired more than six months on the date of receipt of application form.
4. You must be resident in Ireland.
5. You must hold an Irish learner permit.1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE VIEW OUR "REDUCED ESSENTIAL DRIVER TRAINING (EDT)" INFORMATION BOOKLET AT WWW.RSA.IE

Download you application form from

here