All new first-time driver learner permit holders are required to undertake structured learner driver training, known as Essential Driver Training (EDT).
In almost all circumstances, you can only take the driving test after you have completed a course of EDT and held a learner permit for at least 6 months.
EDT is a course of 12 one-hour sessions with an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI). It covers basic driving and road safety awareness skills, including:
Your ADI will issue a logbook to you prior to commencing your first lesson. As you work through your structured EDT sessions your progress is monitored and recorded in your logbook. Details are also uploaded to MyEDT, the official online portal. This also acts as proof that you have undertaken the full programme.
EDT is not intended to cover the entire learning-to-drive programme. It helps if you have a sponsor who can help you practice your driving skills outside your EDT sessions. A sponsor is an experienced driver with a full, valid driving licence in the same category who has held their licence for at least two years. An ADI can act as your sponsor if a sponsor is not available to you. You can also compete further lessons with your ADI if you so wish.
Car driving lessons are your next big step to becoming a safe and qualified car driver.
Your learner permit allows you to drive on all public roads, except motorways, for the purposes of learning to drive and only when accompanied by someone who has held a full, valid driving licence in the same category for more than two years. This can be an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) and/or sponsor.
Like all new first-time learner permit holders, you'll need to undertake Essential Driver Training (EDT).
Essential Driver Training (EDT) is a planned training programme that all learner drivers have to complete. Its 12 one-hour sessions will give you a strong foundation of training. From there you can build your knowledge and skills.
You will learn:
Remember that Essential Driver Training (EDT) is only the minimum driver training you are required to complete. Your Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) may suggest further driving lessons. You can also practice your driving skills when accompanied by a sponsor.
The more you learn and the more you practice, the better your chances of safely passing your driving test first time. What's more, what you learn will help make our roads safer for you and everyone else.
Essential Driver Training (EDT) is a course of 12 one-hour sessions. These sessions are designed to cover certain critical driving skills and improve your practical driving skills. The sessions cover:
As you complete each session, your Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) will record your progress in an EDT learner logbook. This logbook will be given to you at your first EDT session. You should establish at the start of each session whether it is an EDT session or practice session.
You should also have a sponsor. A sponsor is an experienced driver with a full valid driving licence who has held their licence for at least two years. Many learner drivers choose a family member. They should supervise your driving practice outside of EDT sessions, and can also track your progress in your logbook. An ADI can act as your sponsor if another appropriate sponsor is not available to you.
After you finish your EDT course, you may still need additional lessons with an ADI to improve your driving skills. You should also practice with your sponsor as much as possible to get comfortable behind the wheel.
This short video summarises what EDT involves.
Ready to start your Essential Driver Training (EDT)? Then your next step is choosing an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) that's right for you.
EDT can only be delivered by an RSA-approved driving instructor - an ADI.
Here's a few things to consider when choosing the ADI that's right for you:
To find an available ADI, look on the official ADI register.
Once you've chosen your Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), you'll want to get ready for your driving lessons.
Your ADI can help you. They can advise you on background reading and other material that helps you prepare for what each session covers. They can remind you of the importance of safe, as well as technically competent, driving.
All ADIs will provide a car for you to take your lesson with them. If you are using your own car, at each session your ADI will check the following:
It makes sense to check that all these things are in order before your first and every session. It's also a good habit that will serve you well for lifelong safe driving.
It's a good idea to check that your learner permit is valid for each lesson. Your ADI will need to check it before each lesson.
At your first Essential Driving Training (EDT) session, your Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) is required to give you an official logbook. This is to record the details of your training and progress. It can also include necessary preparation for your next sessions.
You can view a sample logbook here.
How your logbook works
Make sure you get each session signed and stamped by your ADI as you complete them. If you change your ADI, your new ADI cannot sign and stamp sessions you've already taken.
More information about your EDT logbook.
After each Essential Driver Training (EDT) session that you complete, your Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) uploads the details to the EDT system. This allows them, the RSA and you to keep track of your progress and ensure the full programme is completed.
You can view all your Essential Driver Training (EDT) records online with MyEDT. This easy-to-use online system allows you to:
If you spot any possible errors in your records you can report them to your Approved Driving Instructor for correction.
Signing up to MyEDT
You can sign up to MyEDT here.
All you need is your full name, date of birth and driver number from your learner permit.
A driving sponsor is a friend or family member you can nominate to accompany you on practice driving sessions. They can also advise you on driving safely, road awareness, vehicle safety and other matters that help you become a safe driver. An ADI can act as your sponsor if another appropriate sponsor is not available to you.
A sponsor must be an experienced driver with a full valid driving licence who has held their licence for at least two years.
Learning to drive safely and competently can be challenging. A trusted sponsor can offer encouragement, advice and reassurance as you go through your Essential Driver Training.
You can learn a lot about safe driving from your sponsor. But your primary source of learning should be your Approved Driving Instructor (ADI). It's best if you confine yourself to practising with your sponsor what you have already learned with your ADI. That's why it's recommended that you only drive with your ADI until you have completed at least four or five sessions.
Your sponsor can enter comments and observations into your Essential Driver Training logbook. These can help your ADI and you to get a fuller picture of your practice and progress.
Car driving lessons as part of Essential Driver Training can only be delivered by Approved Driving Instructors (ADI).
You can find a list of registered Approved Driving Instructors on the official ADI register.
No. You don't have to take all 12 driving lessons with the same Approved Driving Instructor (ADI). You can choose to change ADI at any point in your Essential Driver Training (EDT) programme. Once your ADI stamps your logbook after any session and uploads the lesson details to the MyEDT portal, you can move to another ADI for your next session.
Not always. Depending on where and when their licence was issued, foreign licence holders can apply for an exemption from Essential Driver Training (EDT) or reduced EDT.
Unless the driver has been granted an exemption from EDT, or have been notified that they qualify for reduced EDT, they must complete the full EDT programme.
More about reduced EDT here.
You must take Essential Driver Training (EDT) Session 1 first in order to establish the base line.
Thereafter you can take sessions 2 to 8 in any sequence.
You can only take sessions 9 to 12 after completing sessions 1 to 8. You can take sessions 8 to 12 in any sequence.
Each EDT session requires preparation. You must practise certain elements of your next session before meeting your Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) for your session. Your ADI will advise you what preparation is necessary including any recommended reading. This will help you get the most out of each session.
Details of the preparations necessary are also available in the EDT information booklet.
No. Most of the learning sessions are practical, such as using the vehicle controls. However, your Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) will also explain the reasoning behind their instruction and guidance.
Yes. However, for a lifetime of safe driving you should want to get every benefit from your Essential Driving Training. This means leaving plenty of time for learning, revision and practice between sessions.
Your Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) will have stamped each completed Essential Driver Training (EDT) session in your logbook. Keep it safe as you may need to show it to your driver tester on the day of your driving test.
Your ADI will also upload details of each completed lesson to the MyEDT portal. This helps ensure that you meet the criteria for taking the driving test.
Remember, your training does not finish with EDT. You should continue to practise your driving and road safety awareness with your sponsor. You can also take extra driving lessons before you take your test.
It is not an offence to drive a car before finishing your Essential Driver Training (EDT), so long as:
Once you meet these conditions, it's a good idea to practice safe driving and road awareness. However, you will still need to complete all your EDT sessions before you can take the driving test.
No. If you fail your driving test you do not have to repeat Essential Driver Training.
The only exception is if your learner permit has lapsed for more than five years. In this case you will have to:
You can sign up to MyEDT here. All you need is your full name, date of birth, and driver number from your learner permit.
Your Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) is responsible for uploading your Essential Driving Training sessions to MyEDT. Check with your ADI that they have uploaded your sessions.
If you are unable to contact your ADI, please email us at adi@rsa.ie and we'll help.
Check that you have entered the following exactly as they appear on your learner permit:
If you still can't see your updated lessons, please email us at adi@rsa.ie and we'll help.
If your Essential Driver Training (EDT) logbook has been lost or damaged beyond use, you can have it replaced.
No, but as a learner driver you must be accompanied when driving at all times by someone who has held a full, valid driving licence in the same category for at least two years.
A sponsor helps you fulfil this legal requirement. A trusted sponsor also offers encouragement, advice and reassurance as you go through your Essential Driver Training. Learning from your Approved Driving Instructor and practicing with a sponsor helps you become a better, safer driver.