Where to start?

tina1040

I want to buy lessons for my son's 18th birthday. I'm a bit confused with the process.

Driving theory test? When should this be done? What is required (book/lessons)?

12 lessons in a certain order? Is that after theory test?

Permit? when should this be applied for?

cantdecide

Theory test - Buy the book (unless you know someone that has a very recent edition) - book online, go to centre and leave with certificate

Go to the NDLS and apply for a Learner Permit with the theory test cert and IDs, address proof etc etc

Bring the Learner Permit to an instructor and complete EDT lessons in a timeframe that works - they will provide a log book and register completed lessons with the Road Safety Authority - your son won't have a valid learner permit until the lessons are completed. After the EDT is completed, he will be allowed to drive accompanied by a fully licenced driver for as long as he holds a Learner Permit (it's an offence if he drives alone during this time)

Wait 6 months minimum after receiving his learner permit (regardless of when he takes his lessons AFAIK),

Apply for driving test

Pass test - wear N plates on the car for two years

Live happily ever after




Take it step by step. There is a little more detail to each step but that's these are the broad steps.

If he doesn't have a PPS card, he will need to get that in order to take the theory test.

cantdecide

cantdecide wrote: »

Theory test - Buy the book (unless you know someone that has a very recent edition) - book online, go to centre and leave with certificate

Go to the NDLS and apply for a Learner Permit with the theory test cert and IDs, address proof etc etc

Bring the Learner Permit to an instructor and complete EDT lessons in a timeframe that works - they will provide a log book and register completed lessons with the Road Safety Authority - your son won't have a valid learner permit until the lessons are completed. After the EDT is completed, he will be allowed to drive accompanied by a fully licenced driver for as long as he holds a Learner Permit (it's an offence if he drives alone during this time)

Wait 6 months minimum after receiving his learner permit (regardless of when he takes his lessons AFAIK),

Apply for driving test

Pass test - wear N plates on the car for two years

Live happily ever after




Take it step by step. There is a little more detail to each step but that's these are the broad steps.

If he doesn't have a PPS card, he will need to get that in order to take the theory test.

I'm pretty sure you don't have to finish the EDT to be able to drive on a learner permit, as long as you have a full licensed driver with you. I finished my EDT not that long ago and the RSA emphasise in the log book that the learner should practice in between lessons with their 'sponsor' (ie. a licensed driver who has agreed to assist the learner).

cantdecide

Deleted User wrote: »

I'm pretty sure you don't have to finish the EDT to be able to drive on a learner permit, as long as you have a full licensed driver with you. I finished my EDT not that long ago and the RSA emphasise in the log book that the learner should practice in between lessons with their 'sponsor' (ie. a licensed driver who has agreed to assist the learner).

Oops. I'm mixing it up with the IBT rules for bikes which are complete minefield of conflicting rules

(IBT certs expire after two years and it's unclear exactly what the implications are)

languagenerd

tina1040 wrote: »

I want to buy lessons for my son's 18th birthday. I'm a bit confused with the process.

Driving theory test? When should this be done? What is required (book/lessons)?

12 lessons in a certain order? Is that after theory test?

Permit? when should this be applied for?

In short, you can't do lessons until you have a permit.

To get a permit, you need to pass the theory test, do an eye test, get a public services card and bring all of the above to an NDLS centre.

When you have a permit, you can get insured and drive only with a fully qualified driver with you. You have to do a minimum of 12 lessons (the EDT) before you sit your test, and you're expected to practise with your sponsor (a fully qualified driver) in between them.

darash

Please make sure you're prepared to give your time as his sponsor. You or any qualified driver needs to sit with him in the car almost everyday practicing during EDT and waiting for his test. It makes all the difference to him, but its difficult and needs commitment and patience from you too. Best of luck.

Humour Me

I wouldn’t advise buying a block of lessons until he has had a lesson or two and knows that he is comfortable with the instructor. I would hate to lose out on money because he feels the instructors approach doesn’t suit him. I had an instructor wreck my confidence as he kept pointing out how other learners were progressing faster than me. Moved to another who recognized that I was nervous and helped me build up my skills.