Reduced EDT Lessons were introduced, in January 2019. Only RSA Approved Driving Instructors, such as Nicolca from Mrs G Driver Training, can deliver the reduced Essential Driver Training programme.
The reduced EDT programme is a mandatory driver training programme for drivers from outside of Ireland who currently hold a valid full car licence but come from a country who does not have a licence exchange agreement with Ireland. It is available to people visiting or living in Ireland who hold foreign driving licence that is was not issued by a recognised state.
Our reduced EDT programme is a condensed version of the regular EDT plan. It is an alternative to the standard EDT plan which involves 12 hours of lessons usually taken one hour per day. Most Mrs G Driver Training students complete the reduced EDT programme in a couple of days; however, this is just an average, and you can choose to spread the lessons out over a longer duration if preferred.
You will find his lessons are well-planned, expertly delivered, and always tailored to your specific needs and style of learning. Because of Nicola’s practical approach and relaxed style of teaching, your confidence will grow and you will make swift progress in gaining and mastering the skills needed, not just to pass your test but also to become a safe and considerate driver into the future.
Are you eligible for the Reduced Essential Driver Training (EDT) programme?
People visiting or living in Ireland who hold foreign driving licence have a couple of options depending on where their licence originated. The third option listed below is where you can benefit from booking Reduced EDT programme.
1. Your driving licence was issued by an EU member state or an EEA member state
Firstly, if you have a driving licence issued by an EU/EEA member state, you can drive in Ireland if your existing licence is valid. It is also possible to exchange your driving licence for an equivalent Irish driving licence when it expires, but you must do so within 10 years of your driving licence expiring.
EU and EEA member states covered are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
2. Your driving licence was issued by a recognised state
Secondly, it is possible to exchange a driving licence issued by certain recognised states for an Irish driving licence. Ireland has agreements with other ‘recognised’ countries/states for the purposes of driving licence exchange. These are Australia, Canada (British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario Provinces) Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Japan, Jersey, New Zealand, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan.
If you hold a valid driving licence issued by a recognised state, you can drive in Ireland for up to one year when visiting. However, if you become normally resident in Ireland, you should subsequently exchange your driving licence or begin the process of applying for an Irish driving licence.
See the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) website for more information.
3. Your driving licence was NOT issued by a recognised state
Finally, if you are not from any of the above countries, (for example, United States of America, Brazil or India), and you hold a national driving licence and an international driving permit from your own country, you can drive in Ireland for up to 12 months. However, if you stay in Ireland for over 12 months you will need to apply for an Irish driving licence, but you will need to go through the full driver licensing procedure.
So, if the country that issued your driving licence is not a recognised state listed above, you cannot exchange your licence for an Irish licence. Instead you will need to go through the full driver licensing procedure. We’ve outlined the process below, if you are unsure get in touch and we will be happy to advise.
01.
DRIVER THEORY TEST
First you must complete a driver theory test and apply for an Irish learner driving permit.
02.
REDUCED EDT
After you have a learner permit you can choose to take six essential driver training (EDT) lessons instead of the usual 12 .
03.
PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST
When you complete this reduced EDT programme, you will be eligible to take the practical part of the Irish driving test.
04.
IRISH DRIVING LICENCE
If you pass your driving test, you will be issued with an Irish driving licence.
What does Reduced EDT involve?
The reduced EDT programme is six one-hour driving lessons. It will teach you some of the most vital driving skills and help you to continue driving safely by improving your knowledge and understanding of road safety in Ireland.
RSA recognise that foreign drivers already have driving experience, but the driving environment in Ireland may differ (driving on the left-hand side of the road, sitting on the right-hand side of the vehicle and rules such as turning left on a red light). The Reduced Essential Driver Training (EDT) course is therefore designed to recognise your existing knowledge, but to help you to continue to be a safer driver. Our Reduced EDT Course provides you with a basic standard of driving skills and prepare foreign drivers for their Irish driving test and for driving confidently and safely on Irish roads.
Those who quality for the Reduced EDT programme receive an exemption from EDT lessons 2,3,4,8,11 and 12. When you book a Reduced EDT programme with M N Phoenix you will therefore take the following mandatory lessons:
Exemption from the 6 Month Rule
If you qualify for the Reduced EDT programme, it may also be possible for you to take your driving test without having to wait for six months. For further information click here.
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087 359 5202
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