Beginner lessons before EDT

boekind

Hi

So I'm currently in the process of getting my learners permit with the intention of utilising the summer and beyond to learn how to drive. I've never driven before so while I've an idea of clutch control, I've zero practice. I was wondering with regards to EDT, does the training start on the assumption you know the very basics like how to get the car moving? or does the EDT cover the very basics?
Would you recommend beginner lessons before starting the EDT?

thanks
S

Gatling

It's from the basics or depending on your experience I wouldn't​ be worried if it's your first time driving ,a decent Instructor will get you on the right path

MascotDec85

Page 8 of the EDT Information Booklet recommends at least 3hrs of practice with your ADI, Sponsor of both before your 1st EDT lesson

dennyk

Can't see you needing real lessons beforehand, as the EDT program starts with the very basics, but a bit of practice with your accompanying driver to get used to the controls would certainly help you progress through your lessons faster.

I can't tell you why

The EDT syllabus has lots of problems. The idea of practicing before for three hours before your first lesson is just one of them. This might give you an idea of what is in the first EDT lesson.

MascotDec85

I can't tell you why wrote: »

The EDT syllabus has lots of problems. The idea of practicing before for three hours before your first lesson is just one of them. This might give you an idea of what is in the first EDT lesson.

The idea of cramming all of that into a one hour lesson having the time to sufficiently explain it, the pupil understand it and have time to practice it is a bigger problem. If they're unable to practice it makes the subsequent lessons harder as they're still trying to get to grips with the basic controls so something has to give. The 3 hrs for a total beginner are a good idea imo as it helps their skills and more importantly, their confidence grow.

I can't tell you why

MascotDec85 wrote: »

The idea of cramming all of that into a one hour lesson having the time to sufficiently explain it, the pupil understand it and have time to practice it is a bigger problem. If they're unable to practice it makes the subsequent lessons harder as they're still trying to get to grips with the basic controls so something has to give. The 3 hrs for a total beginner are a good idea imo as it helps their skills and more importantly, their confidence grow.

The idea of cramming all of that into one hour is terrible. The RSA solution of putting three hours of driving before the first lesson on their syllabus is also terrible. A restructuring of the EDT could have been ( and is ) so much better. The RSA designed a syllabus so bad that many instructors completely ignore it and many restructure it in a more constructive way.

Boekind: Talk to a few instructors in your area and see how they work with the EDT. I would recommend one who has the sense to adapt it to suit the needs of the learner and will tell you so. Avoid those that completely ignore it and those that think they should rigidly follow it. Everyone is different. Every location is different. Lessons need to be adapted.

MascotDec85

I can't tell you why wrote: »

The idea of cramming all of that into one hour is terrible. The RSA solution of putting three hours of driving before the first lesson on their syllabus is also terrible. A restructuring of the EDT could have been ( and is ) so much better. The RSA designed a syllabus so bad that many instructors completely ignore it and many restructure it in a more constructive way.

Boekind: Talk to a few instructors in your area and see how they work with the EDT. I would recommend one who has the sense to adapt it to suit the needs of the learner and will tell you so. Avoid those that completely ignore it and those that think they should rigidly follow it. Everyone is different. Every location is different. Lessons need to be adapted.

It's not terrible if you're taking a total beginner out for the first time. If someone has the basics right of course you'd head straight into EDT1. Horses for courses. The OP has said he/she has zero practical experience hence I mentioned the 3 hrs. Of course, depending on how quickly they pick things up an hr or 2 could be sufficient.

Posy

I haven't done EDT lessons, but I thought they consisted of 12 'modules' as opposed to 12 one hour lessons.
Like a driving instructor could spend 3 hours doing the roundabouts part before signing the student off?

Or have I got it wrong?

MascotDec85

Posy wrote: »

I haven't done EDT lessons, but I thought they consisted of 12 'modules' as opposed to 12 one hour lessons.
Like a driving instructor could spend 3 hours doing the roundabouts part before signing the student off?

Or have I got it wrong?

They are 12 1hr lessons during which you'd be taught to do certain things in order to achieve the outcomes of the lesson. Roundabouts would feature in pretty much every lesson from EDT 2 onwards.


Have a read through this: http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/ADI/Information%20Pack/Essential_Driver_Training_WEB.pdf

dennyk

Posy wrote: »

I haven't done EDT lessons, but I thought they consisted of 12 'modules' as opposed to 12 one hour lessons.
Like a driving instructor could spend 3 hours doing the roundabouts part before signing the student off?

Or have I got it wrong?

Officially they are 12 one-hour lessons and an ADI can't refuse to sign off on a completed lesson after the hour is up, regardless of how well the student performed or progressed (it's on the instructor to ensure that everything in the lesson in question is covered within the allotted hour). I suppose the ADI is free to recommend additional non-EDT training and to refuse to provide any further EDT lessons to that student until they've practiced enough or taken enough non-EDT lessons to be up to the necessary standard, but since it would no doubt cost them business, I don't know how many ADIs would actually choose to do that unless the student in question was truly dangerously terrible.