Translate This Page
Important notice for learner drivers
EDT is not required if your first learner permit was issued before 4 April 2011. All other learner drivers must complete EDT before 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 and may need more lesson to become a safe driver.
Why do I need EDT?
Studies show that young drivers and inexperienced drivers are more likely to die or be seriously injured in collisions, and EDT 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 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 is a course of 12 one-hour 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.
You should also have a Sponsor, an experienced driver (many learner drivers choose a family member) who will supervise your driving practice outside of lessons, and will also track your progress in your logbook.
After you finish your EDT 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.
The Lessons
You can apply for your driving test online before you have your 12 lessons completed, however you cannot be scheduled for your driving test until we receive the confirmation from your ADI Instructor that you have the 12 EDT lessons completed.
The Essential Driver Training course is made up of 12 one-hour lessons, which you must complete before taking your Driving test.
IMPORTANT
Before you begin your training, you should check that your chosen instructor is currently approved for the delivery of EDT.
On the day of your training your trainer will be happy to confirm their continuing RSA approval.
Only undertake EDT training once you are satisfied that your trainer still holds RSA approval.
Training completed with an individual who does not currently hold RSA approval cannot count as part of your EDT and will need to be repeated with an RSA EDT approved Instructor.
Preparation for your first lesson
Once you’ve found an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), ask them for advice on how to prepare for the course of EDT lessons.
They should let you know what lessons,practice and background reading you should do before starting the course.
IMPORTANT
At your first EDT lesson, and each lesson thereafter, check that your ADI still has RSA approval to deliver EDT lessons.
At your first EDT lesson, and each lesson thereafter, your ADI will check your learner permit, and if you are using your own car, will check to make sure your insurance, motor tax, NCT and the roadworthiness of the vehicle are all in order.
Your ADI will give you a logbook with your name, address, date of birth and learner permit driver number.
You should bring this logbook to each lesson and make sure all the appropriate sections are filled out after each lesson.
EDT lessons timeline
Lessons 1-8 must be taken in sequence, but lessons 9-12 may be taken in any order.
Each of the 12 lessons in EDT lasts about one hour.
We recommend that you leave at least two weeks between each EDT lesson to allow for further instruction, practice and learning.
The EDT course is best spread out over six months.
What do the lessons cover?
Each of the EDT lessons has particular objectives. You should prepare for each lesson using the EDT Course Syllabus.
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
You can read more about the lessons in the EDT Learner Driver Information Booklet and the Sample Learner Logbook.
To view your Essential Driver Training records online, simply click on the MY EDT button for access. All you need to fill in is your full name, date of birth and driver number.
What is Essential Driver Training?
It’s a terrible fact but young inexperienced drivers are more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a crash more than anyother road users. That’s why the RSA have introduced the ETD course for learner drivers to become safe road users. EDT is not required if your first learner permit was issued before 4 April 2011.
What is the EDT Sponsor?
A EDT sponsor is an experienced driver who accompanies you the learner driver in your practice driving sessions. Sponsors are often family members or close friends of you the learner drivers. The RSA’s Essential Driver Training (EDT) programme has identified the sponsor as playing a key role in safe driving education.
© Copyright Elite Driving Academy 2018