Mandatory lessons

shangri la

1. After getting the learners permit do I have to do the mandatory 12 lessons before applying for my full test or can I do them after applying for the test?

2. Is there a minimum time frame to do them in or for example could I do 2 lessons a day for 6 consecutive days?

Thanks.

hattoncracker

shangri la wrote: »

1. After getting the learners permit do I have to do the mandatory 12 lessons before applying for my full test or can I do them after applying for the test?

2. Is there a minimum time frame to do them in or for example could I do 2 lessons a day for 6 consecutive days?

Thanks.

Have to do the twelve lessons, and you cant apply for your test for six months after you get your provisional.

You also need a sponsor, who is willing to practice with you between lessons or else it's going to cost u a fortune!!!

Good luck! :-)

Alanstrainor

hattoncracker wrote: »

Have to do the twelve lessons, and you cant apply for your test for six months after you get your provisional.

Almost right, but not quite. You can apply for your test at any time, however you cannot sit your test until you have had your Permit for 6months. This means that you could theoretically sit your test on the day you've had your permit for 6 months, provided the EDT lessons are completed of course.

DidYouSquirt?

12 Lessons can be done whenever suits you

You can't sit your test until you hold your provisional for 6 months

Atlantis50

hattoncracker wrote: »

Have to do the twelve lessons, and you cant apply for your test for six months after you get your provisional.

You also need a sponsor, who is willing to practice with you between lessons or else it's going to cost u a fortune!!!

Good luck! :-)

I remember reading somewhere that having a sponsor is recommended but it is not a legal requirement. It is however, a requirement to be accompanied by a fully licensed driver.

hattoncracker

DidYouSquirt? wrote: »

12 Lesson can be done whenever suits you

You can't sit your test until you hold your provisional for 6 months

Depending on how quickly you progress it might take longer than 12 lessons. There's a huge debate running on the learning to drive forum somewhere about it. Basically these 12 lessons are 12 EDTS that you have to sit before you can do your test and for the first 8 you need to be proficient or your instructor is not obliged to sign you off on them.

hattoncracker

Atlantis50 wrote: »

hattoncracker wrote: »

Have to do the twelve lessons, and you cant apply for your test for six months after you get your provisional.

You also need a sponsor, who is willing to practice with you between lessons or else it's going to cost u a fortune!!!

Good luck! :-)

I remember reading somewhere that having a sponsor is recommended but it is not a legal requirement. It is however, a requirement to be accompanied by a fully licensed driver.

There are parts of your EDT book that have to be filled in by a sponsor.. I think you need to have one. I support the way it's taught in practice but in theory trying to get a sponsor can be an awful pain.

Atlantis50

hattoncracker wrote: »

There are parts of your EDT book that have to be filled in by a sponsor.. I think you need to have one. I support the way it's taught in practice but in theory trying to get a sponsor can be an awful pain.

Q. Is it mandatory to have a Sponsor?
A. No, however learner drivers are expected by law to be accompanied-the role of the Sponsor builds on this requirement.



Source: http://www.drivingschoolireland.com/edt_faq.shtml

hattoncracker

Atlantis50 wrote: »

Q. Is it mandatory to have a Sponsor?
A. No, however learner drivers are expected by law to be accompanied-the role of the Sponsor builds on this requirement.



Source: http://www.drivingschoolireland.com/edt_faq.shtml

Well you just made my life a whole lot easier!

ProudDUB

shangri la wrote: »

2. Is there a minimum time frame to do them in or for example could I do 2 lessons a day for 6 consecutive days?

No, not unless there are mitigating circumstances where the instructor would be ok in squeezing your lessons into a short period of time. It would not be the norm.

Driving instructors have to be certified by the RSA. The RSA Big Brother is watching them, and watching/inspecting the learners log books that they fill out for their students. Very few driving instructors would agree to such an arrangement, as there is an accepted understanding that learner drivers need time in between lessons to practice what they have learned in each lesson, out on the roads with their sponsor, over time.

If an instructor signed off on 12 lessons over 6 days, his pupil is not getting that practice time. He could jeopardize his RSA accreditation if he did so, as the learners log book is inspected on test day. If a tester saw 12 lessons over 6 days, serious red flags would be raised and questions asked about the integrity of the instructor/learner relationship.

I asked my instructor the very same question last summer. I have a full license from the US. I have a perfect driving record there. I wanted to know if I could have all 12 of my lessons over a short period of time as I only had access to a car to practice in for a 3 week period.

He said that he would have no problem fast tracking my lessons as I was already a fully qualified driver from another country with a flawless driving record. Both of these facts could be proved if anyone from the RSA questioned what my instructor did. But he said for the average student, trying to get their first ever license, the minimum time he will agree to between lessons is one week, but that he prefers two. That is to ensure that his pupils get adequate time behind the wheel between lessons, and to protect his own professional reputation and source of income.

ADIDriving

shangri la wrote: »

1. After getting the learners permit do I have to do the mandatory 12 lessons before applying for my full test or can I do them after applying for the test?

The RSA have now said that you should have your 12 EDT lessons completed before applying for the test. A former student of mine received a phone call from the RSA. He had just applied for his test but still had two EDT lessons to complete.

The quote from DSI is over simplified. It is true that it is not a legal requirement the use a sponsor. But your instructor can ligitimately refuse to proceed with EDT lessons if you have not completed the practice with a sponsor.

Some ADIs adapt what they do to suit the learner, including sponsored practice and timing. Some stick rigidly to the guidelines.

shangri la

Whats all this talk about a sponsor?

starlit

Say sponsor is just another word for accompany driver.

J_R

ADIDriving wrote: »

The RSA have now said that you should have your 12 EDT lessons completed before applying for the test. A former student of mine received a phone call from the RSA. He had just applied for his test but still had two EDT lessons to complete.

As far as they know the applicant may have completed their mandatory lessons and the instructor has not submitted/updated their records. (Especially if the instructor was a little lax in the past) So, quick call to check.
A person may apply at any time, if they obtained their permit after the 4th April their name is simply Flagged in the computer and they will not get a date until the records show 12 lessons.

The quote from DSI is over simplified. It is true that it is not a legal requirement the use a sponsor. But your instructor can ligitimately refuse to proceed with EDT lessons if you have not completed the practice with a sponsor.
Those FAQs at http://www.drivingschoolireland.com/edt_faq.shtml were compiled by the RSA - not me.
And the instructor can not NOW use any EDT legislation to refuse to give an EDT lesson. Since the legislation was changed (Thanks to Philipandson for the link) the only criteria necessary to have an EDT lesson is for the pupil to have the stamps for the preceding lesson(s).

The instructor may recommend and strongly advise to have practice, lessons with a sponsor, whatever. He may for safety reasons refuse to give the lesson in the pupil's own car but he has no grounds under the present updated EDT legislation to refuse.

(3) A person may only undergo each of lessons 2 to 8 of Essential Driver Training for Car Drivers if he or she holds a logbook issued to him or her on which an instructor has signed and stamped the pages relating to the immediately preceding lesson as set out in the Schedule.

(3A) A person may only undergo any of lessons 9 to 12 of Essential Driver Training for Car Drivers if he or she holds a logbook issued to him or her on which an instructor has signed and stamped the pages relating to lesson 8.”.

Some ADIs adapt what they do to suit the learner, including sponsored practice and timing. Some stick rigidly to the guidelines.

And after completing the lesson irrespective of the outcome the pupil is entitled to have the logbook stamped. The instructor can write in the logbook that in their opinion the pupil should never be allowed behind the wheel of a car but he/she must stamp it.

ADIDriving

JR: The RSA have said that a learner should complete your EDT before applying for your test. That is an accurate but different statement from the equally true point that the learner may apply before completing the EDT program.
I do update my EDT returns frequently and if I was not accustom to such careless statements I would be offended by what could easily be read as a suggestion that I was not doing my job properly.
I did not mention your site, so as not to criticise it. I was just criticising the statement. There is far more detail on the EDT then snippets of documents. I have not said they an instructor should not stamp a lesson once given. I have said that the instructor can legitmatley refuse to proceed to the next lesson, on the basis of wanting their learner to do what 'should' be done. If the learner strongly disagrees with this advice they can get a different instructor who will proceed with the next lesson. I like most instructors will want to be fair and do what is best for the learner. But an instructor does have the free will not to give a learner a lesson, for a variety of reasons.

J_R

ADIDriving wrote: »

The RSA have now said that you should have your 12 EDT lessons completed before applying for the test. A former student of mine received a phone call from the RSA. He had just applied for his test but still had two EDT lessons to complete.

The quote from DSI is over simplified. It is true that it is not a legal requirement the use a sponsor. But your instructor can ligitimately refuse to proceed with EDT lessons if you have not completed the practice with a sponsor.

Some ADIs adapt what they do to suit the learner, including sponsored practice and timing. Some stick rigidly to the guidelines.

ADIDriving wrote: »

JR: The RSA have said that a learner should complete your EDT before applying for your test. That is an accurate but different statement from the equally true point that the learner may apply before completing the EDT program.
I do update my EDT returns frequently and if I was not accustom to such careless statements I would be offended by what could easily be read as a suggestion that I was not doing my job properly.
I did not mention your site, so as not to criticise it. I was just criticising the statement. There is far more detail on the EDT then snippets of documents. I have not said they an instructor should not stamp a lesson once given. I have said that the instructor can legitmatley refuse to proceed to the next lesson, on the basis of wanting their learner to do what 'should' be done. If the learner strongly disagrees with this advice they can get a different instructor who will proceed with the next lesson. I like most instructors will want to be fair and do what is best for the learner. But an instructor does have the free will not to give a learner a lesson, for a variety of reasons.

Silly me, I jumped to the conclusion that DSI stood for DrivingSchoolIreland.com . Obviously not.

Am not going to argue semantics with a man of your calibre.

Bye

DRose1

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Almost right, but not quite. You can apply for your test at any time, however you cannot sit your test until you have had your Permit for 6months. This means that you could theoretically sit your test on the day you've had your permit for 6 months, provided the EDT lessons are completed of course.

I was about to start a thread asking this very question.

Thanks for the information Alanstrainor... Could anyone else confirm this point?

(Not questioning your knowledge Alan, id just like to have it confirmed by one or two others before I plan by lessons etc accordingly)

Fwiw: I got my provisional on the 28th of November 2011. I have completed 4 EDT lessons and I planning on doing the remaining 8 over the next month.

I have been insured (on fathers insurance - only €42 for the year, fully comp ) for the past 6 weeks and driving pretty much every day with a sponsor.

So it would be ideal for me to book my full driving test for the end of May, if that is possible...

starlit

DRose1 wrote: »

I was about to start a thread asking this very question.

Thanks for the information Alanstrainor... Could anyone else confirm this point?

(Not questioning your knowledge Alan, id just like to have it confirmed by one or two others before I plan by lessons etc accordingly)

Fwiw: I got my provisional on the 28th of November 2011. I have completed 4 EDT lessons and I planning on doing the remaining 8 over the next month.

I have been insured (on fathers insurance - only €42 for the year, fully comp ) for the past 6 weeks and driving pretty much every day with a sponsor.

So it would be ideal for me to book my full driving test for the end of May, if that is possible...

Ya you can apply any time for the end of May for your driving test as you will have held your 1st learners permit for the minimum of 6 months. Despite meeting that requirement you will need to complete your remaining EDT Lessons, logged, stamped and passed, have completed the full 12 compulsory lessons before attempting the test other wise you may not be able to do your test. The tester will want to see a record of your log book I think.

That's great that you are driving every day keep at it! Best of luck with the driving and your driving test!

DRose1

doovdela wrote: »

Ya you can apply any time for the end of May for your driving test as you will have held your 1st learners permit for the minimum of 6 months. Despite meeting that requirement you will need to complete your remaining EDT Lessons, logged, stamped and passed, have completed the full 12 compulsory lessons before attempting the test other wise you may not be able to do your test. The tester will want to see a record of your log book I think.

That's great that you are driving every day keep at it! Best of luck with the driving and your driving test!

Great, thanks for the confirmation.

Ill look into booking the test this week.

MascotDec85

You can apply for the test prior to completing the EDT Syllabus however the RSA will not give you a test date until all 12 lessons have been completed and uploaded into their system by the ADI.

Source: The RSA on the phone 2 mins ago

J_R

MascotDec85 wrote: »

You can apply for the test prior to completing the EDT Syllabus however the RSA will not give you a test date until all 12 lessons have been completed and uploaded into their system by the ADI.

Source: The RSA on the phone 2 mins ago

What I said previous post. Name is automatically flagged. No problem.

However, have heard they have problems when applicant got a tractor licence prior to the 4th April.

DRose1

MascotDec85 wrote: »

You can apply for the test prior to completing the EDT Syllabus however the RSA will not give you a test date until all 12 lessons have been completed and uploaded into their system by the ADI.

Source: The RSA on the phone 2 mins ago

So what then would be the point of applying for the test now?

Lets say for example there is a 2 month waiting list for doing the test in Navan.... I ideally want to sit my test at the end of May/start of June. In that scenario, would it be beneficial to apply now, knowing that I will have by EDT lessons completed in the next 4-6 weeks?

Or will I have to wait 2 months from the day I complete all my EDT lessons?

MascotDec85

DRose1 wrote: »

MascotDec85 wrote: »

You can apply for the test prior to completing the EDT Syllabus however the RSA will not give you a test date until all 12 lessons have been completed and uploaded into their system by the ADI.

Source: The RSA on the phone 2 mins ago

So what then would be the point of applying for the test now?

Lets say for example there is a 2 month waiting list for doing the test in Navan.... I ideally want to sit my test at the end of May/start of June. In that scenario, would it be beneficial to apply now, knowing that I will have by EDT lessons completed in the next 4-6 weeks?

Or will I have to wait 2 months from the day I complete all my EDT lessons?

It's 6 or half a dozen I think. I'm uncertain how quickly a test would be scheduled. From what I was told this morning they keep your application on file til they receive confirmation that you've completed the 12. I'd think the clock ticks from that point ie. 7 weeks

ADIDriving

J_R wrote: »

Silly me, I jumped to the conclusion that DSI stood for DrivingSchoolIreland.com . Obviously not.

Am not going to argue semantics with a man of your calibre.

Bye

I could have just written, "The quote from driving school Ireland is over simplified." That still would have been a fair and valid statement. But I should have said, "I tried to avoid mentioning your site, so as not to criticise it." But this would be an arguement of semantics.
Again your comment could easily be taken as a personal insult.