Essential Driver Training or EDT - The mystery unfolded
You might be shocked with what you will read further on but all of it is true and require that they be treated with respect. The truth is that those who carry the highest risk of getting into vehicular accidents are the young and new drivers. These accidents often result in the loss of limbs and life. This sad fact has prompted the Road Safety Authority to come up with new measures that will ensure that only responsible individuals who have successfully undergone driving lessons are able to get behind the wheel and on the streets.
These new measures include the enactment of the essential driver training, also known as EDT. This training course was designed so that the learner, which is the person who wants to learn how to drive, is sure to be equipped with the proper knowledge and comprehension of road safety once they are done with the entire training. The EDT now requires everyone that has received a first car learner permit on the fourth of April 2011 and onwards to take a minimum of 12 hours of essential driving training. These lessons must be facilitated with an approved driving instructor, also known as ADI. Basically, if you want to sit through your driving test, you would have to finish all 12 hours of EDT first. Of course, the 12 hours are the bare minimum as majority of learner drivers actually opt for filler lessons and more practice time before they feel confident enough to sit through the driving test.
These new measures include the enactment of the essential driver training, also known as EDT. This training course was designed so that the learner, which is the person who wants to learn how to drive, is sure to be equipped with the proper knowledge and comprehension of road safety once they are done with the entire training. The EDT now requires everyone that has received a first car learner permit on the fourth of April 2011 and onwards to take a minimum of 12 hours of essential driving training. These lessons must be facilitated with an approved driving instructor, also known as ADI. Basically, if you want to sit through your driving test, you would have to finish all 12 hours of EDT first. Of course, the 12 hours are the bare minimum as majority of learner drivers actually opt for filler lessons and more practice time before they feel confident enough to sit through the driving test.
EDT Lesson Content Samples
EDT Lesson 1
Controlling the Car and Doing Safety Checks The entire focus of lesson 1 of EDT is on car control and safety checks. Part of understanding and being able to follow the rules of the road is knowing full well the different parts of your vehicle and its different controls. It's important that you find out how the primary controls, such as your steering wheels and brakes, work and have sufficient time to practice on them. On top of that, it's also important to learn about secondary controls, such as wipers and lights, how to drive in silent areas, and how to start and stop the car. Before the start of this first lesson in the EDT course, it's recommended by the RSA that learner driver first practice for around three hours. Most of the time, pupils who do not move through the EDT course at a faster rate are those who fall short at practicing both before and after EDT 1. Unfortunately, pupils who never make it their habit to practice have an increased chance of still not having the right skills to die even after all 12 EDT driving lessons. Another tip for passing the driving test easily is to follow the EDT syllabus strictly. What do you expect to learn after the end of EDT 1? At the end of EDT 1, the learner driver should already know the location of the different pretest vehicle checks and their different functions. For the lesson to be successful, the learner driver must know how to use the car doors, locks and windows, front and rear demisters, clutch, foot brake and accelerator among others. Your ADI will then ask you to explain how each pretest vehicle check is used and what they are used for before you can move forward. |
Lesson 3 of EDT
Changing Directions Your logbook will record all of your experiences and progress in so much as your EDT course is concerned, and some driving schools will not be afraid to write down unflattering comments especially if you haven't had enough practice. However, we would rather be proactive when it comes to learner drivers that sign up with us and would recommend support practices instead of writing anything negative right off the bat. Doing so is more reasonble and less damaging for the student. Support lessons are non-EDT lessons wherein the pupil would be relieved of the stress that comes in an EDT course. Despite the fact that support lessons are not as structured as the EDT course, they still cover the same concepts as in the former. Changing direction, the topic of lesson 3 of the EDT course, involves driving in light traffic conditions, all the while allowing the learner driver to cover the mirror signal and maneuvering routine, develop scanning techniques, turn to either the left or the right, and approach roundabouts. By the end of the lesson, the pupil is expected to begin observing mirror signaling and maneuvering routines, correctly observe scanning techniques, as well as properly turn to the left and the right. On top of those skills, it is also crucial that the learner driver know how to approach roundabouts safely and be aware of blind spots. With so many skills that are going to be discussed in this lesson, good vehicle control is crucial in being successful with this lesson. This lesson is quite detailed and it's crucial that the pupil master the previous lessons before attempting to move forward. Practice is integral nailing down lesson 3 of EDT which is why majority of learner drivers and their sponsors opt for support lessons. Support lessons allow the pupil to brush up on essential driving skills as they progress on the different levels. In order for you to not struggle with the rest of the lessons that are part of the EDT course, technical support in the form of filler lessons in between the EDT lessons may be necessary. |
What else to expect from your EDT Lessons
After you're done with a lesson and you're ready to move on to the next one, it's recommended that you read the relevant sections describing the rules of the road. This will help you find out what driving concepts your ADI will discuss with you during your next session and will give you an idea of what to prepare for. It's also advisable that you ask your ADI what driving concepts you'll tackle next so that you're always a step ahead.
RSA has come up with a manual called Learning to Drive a Car which is written with the goal to help you learn how to drive and is available in bookstores. With the help of this manual and the combined efforts of your ADI and sponsor, together with your eagerness to learn and practice how to drive, the EDT course should be able to develop the necessary skills in you to help you become a better, safer and more responsible driver. To ensure that you are still on the right track of learning how to drive, make sure to check in with your ADI periodically and don't be afraid to ask for comments. To do this, simply visit My EDT on the RSA website, which will then allow you to review your personal records.
By the time that you've finished the entire EDT course and have held your learner permit for not less than six months, you can then sit for your driving test. If you are ready to sit through your driving test, you may visit the RSA.ie website and submit your application online. Of course, the odds of passing a driving test has become slimmer but your cause isn't lost yet; click on the driving test page on upper part of this website to find out why every post EDT learner we've had has always passed the test in just one attempt.
RSA has come up with a manual called Learning to Drive a Car which is written with the goal to help you learn how to drive and is available in bookstores. With the help of this manual and the combined efforts of your ADI and sponsor, together with your eagerness to learn and practice how to drive, the EDT course should be able to develop the necessary skills in you to help you become a better, safer and more responsible driver. To ensure that you are still on the right track of learning how to drive, make sure to check in with your ADI periodically and don't be afraid to ask for comments. To do this, simply visit My EDT on the RSA website, which will then allow you to review your personal records.
By the time that you've finished the entire EDT course and have held your learner permit for not less than six months, you can then sit for your driving test. If you are ready to sit through your driving test, you may visit the RSA.ie website and submit your application online. Of course, the odds of passing a driving test has become slimmer but your cause isn't lost yet; click on the driving test page on upper part of this website to find out why every post EDT learner we've had has always passed the test in just one attempt.