12 EDT Lessons

EDT for learner drivers is a 12-hour course delivered in 12 one-hour sessions.

1 Car controls and safety checks

2 Correct positioning 1

3 Changing direction 1

4 Progression management

5 Correct positioning 2 (more complex situations)

6 Anticipation and reaction

7 Sharing the road

8 Driving safely through traffic

9 Changing direction 2 (more complex situations)

10 Speed management

11 Driving calmly

12 Night driving 

Reduced EDT Lessons

A reduced Essential Driver Training (EDT)

 Programme including exemption to the 6 month waiting period rule is available for foreign licence holders who can't exchange their driving licence in Ireland. 

It involves taking 6 driving lessons instead of the usual 12 and you don't have to wait 6 months to sit a driving test 

How do I apply? 

1. Complete the 'Foreign Licence Holders Application form for Reduced Essential Driver Training (EDT) and/or Exemption from Six Months Wait Time for Driving Test. 

2. Enclose a colour photocopy of the front and back of your foreign driving licence 

3. Enclose the Letter of Entitlement. This is a document that you must get from the licensing authority who issued your foreign licence. 

4. Post these to: Reduced EDT, National Driver Licence Service, PO Box 858, Southside Delivery Office, Cork. 

Manual & Automatic Lessons

Manual.

Clutch Control: Mastering the "biting point" to smoothly move the car from a stationary position without stalling

Gear Selection: Learning when to shift up or down based on your speed and road incline.

Coordinated Pedals: Managing the accelerator, brake, and clutch smoothly without revving the engine excessively.

Hill Starts: Using the handbrake and clutch balance to move forward on an incline without rolling backward

Automatic

The Automatic Advantage: Because you do not need to manage a clutch pedal or gear stick, you can bypass the stress of stalling or rolling backwards on hills. This allows you to focus your attention immediately on road positioning, observation, and hazard perception.
If you take and pass your practical driving test in an automatic car, your full driving licence will restrict you to driving automatic vehicles only. 

If you ever wish to drive a manual car in the future, you will need to retake and pass the driving test in a manual vehicle.

PRE Test

Theory Questions: Your instructor will quiz you on the Rules of the Road, standard road signs, and legal hand signals

Technical Checks: You will perform "under-the-bonnet" fluid checks and show how to operate secondary vehicle controls like windscreen wipers or demisters.

Test Route Simulation: The instructor will guide you through actual RSA test

Required Manoeuvres: You will be marked on critical manoeuvres including reversing around a corner, turnabout (three-point turn), and moving off from a hill.

Hard Grading: The instructor marks your performance on an official-style marking sheet, scoring faults strictly to show you exactly where you would lose marks on the real day.

Car Hire Day of Test

Key Requirements for the Test Day

Hire a vehicle from Alan's Driving Academy through a driving school, ensure you satisfy the following conditions:

Valid Learner Permit: You must possess an active, physical Irish learner permit on the day of the test.

Pre-Test Familiarity: We will complete at least one pre-test lesson in their vehicle before the exam. This ensures you adapt to the car's bite point, visibility, and control sensitivity.

RSA Compliance: The vehicle provided by the Alan's Driving Academy will automatically carry valid motor tax, an insurance disc, an NCT, and L-plates

Driving Test

Your driving test will require you to:

• answer questions on the Rules of the Road including identifying road signs
• demonstrate hand signals
• reverse your vehicle around a corner
• make safe and reasonable progress
• perform a vehicle turnabout manoeuvre
• perform a hill start
• drive approximately 8km (5 miles) in a variety of road and traffic conditions