Beginning in 2011 it became mandatory for every learner driver in Ireland to complete a course of 12 1-hour Essential Driver Training (EDT) lessons to ensure the competency and safety of Irish road users.  All EDT courses must be delivered by an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) registered with the Road Safety Authority (RSA).  As a new driver you are exposed to increased risk due to your inexperience.  The 12 lesson EDT course is therefore designed to help you build a strong foundation from the earliest steps of your driving experience and to ensure that you are a safe user of the Irish road system.  The RSA recommends that the course is taken over a period of 24 weeks with additional study and practice between each lesson to build the skills necessary to become a safe, knowledgeable and competent driver.

Each EDT course takes the student through a structured learning process which is designed to ensure that all learner drivers acquire the necessary knowledge, practice and skill needed to safely operate a vehicle in Ireland.  The lesson structure is set out by the RSA and includes:

  1. Car controls and safety checks
  2. Correct road positioning 1
  3. Changing direction 1
  4. Progression management
  5. Correct road positioning 2 (more complex situations)
  6. Anticipation and reaction
  7. Sharing the road
  8. Driving safely through traffic
  9. Changing direction 2 (more complex situations)
  10. Speed management
  11. Driving calmly
  12. Night-time driving
Essential Driver Training EDT

Your 12 lesson EDT course will prepare you to successfully pass your driving test the first time and ensure that you enjoy a lifetime of safe driving habits.  If you are a licence holder from another country you may also be eligible to undertake a 6 lesson EDT course instead of the the full 12 lesson course.  Each successful student with Sallyann’s Driving School will also earn a discount in their first year’s insurance premium from our partner First Ireland Insurance.

If you are planning to begin your EDT course with us we recommend you begin by downloading the RSA Essential Driver Training Booklet which you can download from the RSA here.  You will also find a wealth of other useful information and resources, including driver tips on our Useful Links page.  Students of Sallyann’s Driving School will also be given a free Learner Driver Logbook and full access to the award winning site Driving Test Tips where you will find helpful video tutorials, test questions and check lists, among other resources.

To book your EDT lessons with us or to find out more information please contact us on:

Mobile: 087-234-9201

Or send us an email here.