Lesson 11: Driving calmly
EDT lesson 11 is about staying in control of yourself as well as the car. You will drive mostly on your own judgement, and your ADI will check that you stay calm when you feel frustrated, exasperated or threatened by other road users.
The lesson also covers being fit to drive, carrying passengers and loading the car safely.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can drive safely and independently without hesitation or prompting
- You can anticipate and react properly to other road users while staying calm
- You can recover promptly and smoothly if the car stalls or you are forced to stop
- You can explain how to deal with peer pressure and distractions
- You can explain how alcohol, drugs, medication, tiredness, illness, injury and strong emotions affect driving
- You can explain how to load a car safely and why you must not overload it
What you need to know and understand
- You are responsible for being fit to drive every time you get behind the wheel.
- Tiredness, illness, some prescribed medicines and strong emotions can all reduce your ability to drive safely.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and dangerous; a lower alcohol limit applies to novice drivers.
- Passengers who distract you or pressure you to take risks put everyone in the car in danger.
- A fully loaded car takes longer to stop and may handle differently; loads must be secured and within the car's maximum.
- Planning your journey, including breaks and timing, reduces stress.
What the session includes
Your ADI may ask you to join busy main roads, deal with a simulated stall and restart, and park on a road with other parked cars and moderate traffic. You will also talk through planning a journey and whether your passengers are fit to travel.
For most of the hour you will be driving independently and making your own decisions, so this lesson is good preparation for the test and for driving after it.
Staying calm when someone annoys you
- Notice the feeling: tight grip, faster breathing, wanting to react.
- Breathe out slowly and relax your hands on the wheel.
- Drop back and give the other driver space rather than competing.
- Do not make gestures, use the horn in anger or try to teach anyone a lesson.
- If you feel shaken, find a safe place to stop and take a break.
If the car stalls or you have to stop suddenly
Before your next session, the RSA suggests about three hours of practice in more challenging situations and reading the Rules of the Road on journey planning, fitness to drive, fitness of passengers and vehicle loading.
- Secure the car first with the handbrake
- Return to neutral (or park in an automatic) and restart calmly
- Check mirrors and blind spot before moving off again
- Ignore pressure from impatient drivers behind; a careful restart is safer than a rushed one
Common mistakes
- Reacting to a rude driver. Let it go; your safety matters more than winning.
- Driving when tired after a long day. Plan practice when you are alert.
- Letting friends in the car distract you. Ask them to stay quiet or do not carry them while learning.
- Rushing a restart after a stall. Secure the car, then restart calmly.
Test yourself: Lesson 11: Driving calmly
Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.
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Sources: Road Safety Authority, EDT Learner Driver Information Booklet, Session 11 (rsa.ie); Road Safety Authority, Novice drivers (rsa.ie); Road Safety Authority, Rules of the Road (rsa.ie). Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with the RSA.