What are EDT driving lessons?
Essential Driver Training (EDT) is a series of driving lessons that all learner drivers in Ireland must complete before applying for their test.
Everyone with a learner permit issued after 4th April 2011, has to complete 12 EDT driving lessons with an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) in order to apply for a driving test. Here, we look at what each of the 12 one-hour lessons covers and how they help you develop the skills you need to be a safe and competent driver.
Preparing for your first lesson
Before your lessons start, you should familiarise yourself with the rules of the road, you’ll find them on the Road Safety Authority website here. If you know which car you’ll be taking your lessons in, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the controls and have a look at the information on preparing for car safety checks.
You’ll also need to choose someone, who’ll supervise your driving practice on the roads in between your lessons, to help you get the most out of your driving lessons. The person you choose should be responsible and have a good amount of driving experience and hold a full driving licence for a minimum of two years. Choose someone you feel comfortable in the car with - usually a family member.
EDT Lesson 1: Car controls and safety checks
In your first lesson you’ll learn how to work the car’s main controls, including the steering wheel, clutch and gears, accelerator and brakes. You’ll also learn how to use the mirrors, indicators, windscreen wipers, and more.
Lesson 1 also teaches you about road safety and how to check if your vehicle is roadworthy – which means it is in good condition and safe to be on the road.
By the end of the first lesson, you should know where to find and how to use the car’s main and secondary controls. You’ll also know the routine checks you can do to make sure your car is safe to drive.
EDT Lesson 2: Correct positioning 1
Lesson 2 teaches you how to correctly and safely position your car on the road.
This includes the right positioning when
- driving straight
- going round corners and bends
- entering and leaving junctions and slip roads
- changing lanes
- driving on a roundabout.
When you’ve finished this lesson, you'll know how to keep a safe position on the road, and a safe braking distance from other vehicles. And the right and safe use of available road space.
EDT Lesson 3: Changing direction
Lesson 3 teaches you the steps to take when turning left and right at junctions. This includes how to correctly use your indicators and mirrors.
You’ll learn the Mirror, Signal, Mirror, Manoeuvre routine (MSMM). As well as how to do safety glances when moving off, turning, or driving round roundabouts. You’ll also learn to be aware of blind spots and what to do about them.
After the third lesson, you should have learnt how to safely change direction with the MSMM routine and how to correctly check for safety and be aware of blind spots when turning
EDT Lesson 4: Progression management
Lesson 4 teaches you how to control the speed of your car. This includes learning about the speed limits on different roads, and safe stopping distances. Your instructor will also inform you about the effects of different weather conditions.
The aim of this lesson is to teach you how to safely manage your speed and how to adapt to changes in the weather. In between lessons, it’s recommended that you practice driving in different weather conditions, where possible.
EDT Lesson 5: Correct positioning 2
Lesson 5 teaches you more about your correct position on the road, but in more complex situations than y in lesson 2. Now that you have the experience of the first four lessons, you’ll learn how to correctly position your vehicle while progressing through traffic and within traffic lanes.
This includes:
- cornering and taking bends
- positioning your car at different junction layouts
- changing lanes
- entering and leaving a slip road.
You’ll also learn how to correctly position the car when reversing, and parking.
When this lesson is complete, you’ll know how to keep a safe position on the road, and the safe braking distance from cars ahead in a variety of complex situations. You’ll also know how to park safely, reverse and turn in traffic.
EDT Lesson 6: Anticipation and reaction
Lesson 6 covers how to anticipate and react to potential hazards or dangers on the road. You’ll drive in a series of different conditions, for example, in traffic, on a road with parked cars, or with pedestrians and cyclists. And you’ll learn how to respond to crossings, warning signs and roadworks.
The goal of this lesson is for you to learn how to identify and respond to hazards, by choosing the correct speed and gear, keeping a safe distance and braking correctly.
EDT Lesson 7: Sharing the road
Lesson 7 teaches you how to safely share the road with other users, including other motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. You’ll learn how to safely join or cross a major road, and how to give way to other road users, including emergency vehicles.
When you have finished this lesson, you should have learnt how to safely share the road with others, including how to respond to emergency vehicles.
EDT Lesson 8: Driving safely through traffic
Lesson 8 teaches you how to drive safely in busy traffic, and how to interact with other road users. You’ll learn about defensive driving, which means being constantly aware and attentive to what is happening on the road ahead and around you. This involves effective use of your mirrors, adjusting your speed when necessary, staying in control of your car and keeping a safe stopping distance from other vehicles.
At the end of this lesson, you should have learnt how to drive safely through traffic, and how to co-operate with other road users. You should be able to use defensive driving techniques and be aware of potential risks on the road, and how to respond to them.
EDT Lesson 9: Changing direction 2
Lesson 9 teaches you how to change direction, in more complex situations than you learnt about in lesson 3.
This includes:
- Changing course safely through different traffic controls and junctions.
- Being aware of the actions of other road users.
- Using the MSMM routine without being prompted.
After you have finished this lesson, you should know how to safely change direction in busy traffic, using a variety of junctions, and in challenging driving situations.
EDT Lesson 10: Speed management
Lesson 10 teaches you how to manage and control your speed and drive safely in fast-moving traffic including different speed limits, and weather conditions.
At the end of the tenth lesson, you should know how to drive safely at speed in a variety of conditions, and which actions to take.
EDT Lesson 11: Driving calmly
Lesson 11 teaches you how to drive calmly and make good decisions in potentially stressful situations. This includes staying in control of your car when feeling under pressure from other drivers. You’ll learn how to join busy main roads and enter junctions independently, and how to restart your car after stalling in busy traffic.
The aim of this lesson is to learn how to stay calm and in control of your vehicle in challenging conditions. You will also learn about the effects of driving when unfit, due to alcohol, drugs, tiredness, or illness.
EDT Lesson 12: Night driving
Lesson 12 teaches you how to drive safely at night, including how to use your headlights, and how to control your car in low light and on dark roads.
By the time you have finished the twelfth lesson, you should know how to drive safely and confidently at night, how to use your car’s lighting correctly and how to respond to the lights of other road users.
Now that you know what you’ll learn in each of the 12 EDT driving lessons, you’re ready to get those lessons booked with an Approved Driving Instructor. Start thinking about who you’ll will choose to supervise your driving in between your lessons when you’re practicing on the roads. To help you progress, it’s important to get as much practice as possible, on different types of roads and in a variety of traffic conditions.
Helping you to get on the road
We’ve teamed up with the Irish School of Motoring (ISM) to help you with the cost of driving lessons. As an AXA customer, you’ll get 12 EDT-approved lessons from our partners at ISM for €545.
Young Driver Insurance
Our partnership with ISM could also help you to reduce the cost of your car insurance. When you complete the 12 lessons within 12 months, we’ll give you a discount on your insurance of up to €400 if you have your own policy. Or 50% off the additional premium, up to €400, when you become a named driver on another policy.
Find out more and book your lessons with ISM here.
