Photo: Anna Lupa / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.
This is a lesson-by-lesson map of Ireland’s 12 Essential Driver Training (EDT) lessons for car learners. For each lesson it gives the RSA title, what the lesson focuses on, and which parts of the Rules of the Road to practise with your sponsor afterwards. Your ADI works from the RSA’s EDT syllabus, which sets out the expected outcomes for every lesson.
The order rule
- Lesson 1 first.
- Lessons 2 to 8 in any order.
- Lessons 9 to 12 in any order, after 2 to 8 are complete.
- The RSA recommends about 2 weeks between lessons.
Lessons 1 to 4: the foundations
Lesson 1: Car controls and safety checks
Covers the primary and secondary controls, vehicle safety and roadworthiness. Your ADI makes sure you can carry out pre-start checks. Practise starting and stopping beforehand if you can.
Practise after: checking tyres, lights, mirrors and fluids, and using the wipers, demisters, rear window heater and lights. These come up in the test’s technical checks. See vehicle safety checks.
Lesson 2: Correct positioning 1
Keeping the car in the right place on the road in normal conditions.
Practise after: road position, moving off and changing lanes. See good driving practice in Ireland.
Lesson 3: Changing direction 1
Turning at junctions and changing direction safely.
Practise after: mirror, signal, position at simple junctions. See junctions in Ireland.
Lesson 4: Progression management
Speed management. The official outcomes cover controlling your speed smoothly, keeping to the limit, choosing a lower speed when conditions need it, how weather, road surface and load change stopping distances, and the dangers of speeding and harsh braking. On the test, making steady progress without undue hesitancy is also assessed.
Practise after: smooth speed control, checking stopping distances in different conditions and moving off without hesitation.
Lessons 5 to 8: more traffic, more hazards
Lesson 5: Correct positioning 2 (more complex situations)
Builds on lesson 2 in busier conditions, including traffic lanes and stopping in traffic. The aim is to keep a safe position consistently while keeping a safe braking distance.
Practise after: lane discipline on multi-lane roads and the two second rule.
Lesson 6: Anticipation and reaction
Scanning for hazards and responding in good time, with the right speed and gear, a safe gap and correct braking. Expect varied roads: junctions, streets with parked cars, busy pedestrian areas, roads with many warning signs, and roads with poor visibility.
Practise after: commentary driving, saying aloud the hazards you see. See hazard perception for Irish learners.
Lesson 7: Sharing the road
Driving around pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and other road users.
Practise after: giving cyclists room and approaching crossings.
Lesson 8: Driving safely through traffic
Handling heavier traffic in towns and on busier roads.
Practise after: busier routes at quieter times first, then build up.
Lessons 9 to 12: complex driving
Lesson 9: Changing direction 2 (more complex situations)
Changing direction in more complex situations than lesson 3.
Practise after: multi-lane roundabouts and yellow box junctions.
Lesson 10: Speed management
Choosing a safe speed for the road and conditions, within the limit.
Practise after: spotting speed limit changes on rural and urban roads.
Lesson 11: Driving calmly
Staying calm and avoiding aggressive driving.
Practise after: the Rules of the Road section on tiredness and road rage.
Lesson 12: Night driving
Driving in darkness.
Practise after: dipping headlights and judging speed and distance at night. The RSA also advises practising at night before your test.
Which lessons are in reduced EDT?
Lessons 1, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10. Reduced EDT is only for eligible holders of a foreign licence. See EDT and reduced EDT.
Common questions
Can I take lesson 12 before lesson 5?
No. Lessons 9 to 12 come after lessons 2 to 8 are complete.
What if I am not ready for the next lesson?
Take extra non-EDT lessons or more practice with your sponsor. The RSA expects you to take whatever extra lessons you need.
Where are the full lesson outcomes?
In the RSA’s EDT syllabus and learner information booklet, both on rsa.ie. Your ADI works from them.
Does lesson 12 have to happen in the dark?
The lesson is titled night driving. Talk to your ADI about booking it at a suitable time of year and day.
Are motorways part of EDT?
No. Learner permit holders must not drive on motorways.
Back to learning to drive in Ireland: the full guide.
Sources
- Road Safety Authority, “Car driving lessons (EDT)” (rsa.ie)
- Road Safety Authority, “Reduced Essential Driver Training information booklet” (rsa.ie)
- Road Safety Authority, “Essential Driver Training (EDT) Learner Logbook” (rsa.ie)
- Road Safety Authority, “Learner Driver Training Syllabus Category B: Car and Light Van” (rsa.ie)
- Road Safety Authority, “FAQs for car learner drivers” (rsa.ie)
- Road Safety Authority, “Preparing for your test” (rsa.ie)
- Road Safety Authority, “Rules of the Road” (Revision 5, hosted on garda.ie)