You cannot book any driving lesson until you have your physical learner permit. This is vital when taking your driving lessons and needs to be shown to your driving instructor before every lesson.

Essential Driver Training (EDT) is a structured training programme for learner drivers. It gives new drivers a stronger foundation of training on which they can build their knowledge and skills. The sesssions cover the most important skills, knowledge, and behaviours needed to become a safe driver and draw on our knowledge as to the major causes of collisions in Ireland. You will become a more competent driver by taking the EDT programme together with any further driving instruction as agreed with your Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) and plenty of practice with your Sponsor.

A Sponsor is someone who helps and supports you, the learner driver, as you improve your driving skills by being accompanied by them during practice drives. The Sponsor you choose to help you must hold a full licence for two years and is advisable for them to have plenty of driving experience.

This is an introductory lesson where the Driving instructor gives you an Essential Driver Training (EDT) Learner Driver Information Booklet.

You will then receive your EDT logbook at the end of your first ‘EDT’ lesson.

You should bring your learner permit to every driving lesson.

When you are given your EDT logbook after your first EDT Lesson, make sure to bring that to every driving lesson too.

First time learner permit – 6 month rule: 

First-time learner permit holders (in categories for cars, motorcycles and works vehicles (eg, tractors, JCBs) must wait six months after the start date of the particular licence category on their permit before they can take their driving test.