Road safety for learner drivers

Learning to drive means keeping track of more than the pedals. You need to know who can accompany you, where you can drive and what to check before setting off.

Use this guide alongside your lessons. If a rule or a driving task is unclear, ask your instructor before you try it.

Your learner permit rules

Drive with a qualified accompanying driver. An approved driving instructor can accompany you. Otherwise, your accompanying driver must hold a full, valid licence in the same category for at least two years. They sit beside you. A learner permit does not allow you to drive alone.

Display L plates clearly. They belong at the front and rear of the car. Check that both are visible before driving.

Stay off motorways. Learner permit holders cannot drive on motorways, including during a lesson. Plan a route that your permit allows.

Read the official learner permit rules and accompanying-driver requirements.

EDT and the practice between lessons

Standard Essential Driver Training has twelve one-hour sessions with an approved instructor. Some eligible foreign-licence holders can take a six-session reduced EDT course.

The sessions cover car checks, road position, observation and anticipation. You also work on sharing the road, speed, calm driving and driving at night.

Your instructor records completed sessions in your logbook and MyEDT. Ask what to practise before your next lesson. Extra lessons and supervised practice help you work on the skills that still need attention.

The twelve sessions are a syllabus, not a promise that everyone needs the same amount of practice. Our EDT page lists all twelve sessions and explains how the course works.

Everyday safe driving

Choose your speed for the conditions. The limit is the highest permitted speed, not a target. Slow down when the weather, visibility or road surface requires it. Leave room to stop within the distance you can see to be clear.

Keep your attention on the road. Put your phone away before driving. Holding a phone while driving is illegal. Set your route before moving off, and stop somewhere safe if you need to make a change.

Avoid alcohol and drugs. Don't drink and drive. Never drive under the influence of drugs. If you take medicine, follow your doctor or pharmacist's advice about driving.

Know the car's basic checks. Check tyres, lights and fluid levels. Ask your instructor to show you a check you haven't done before. Use the vehicle handbook for the correct tyre pressures and fluids.

Before your driving test

Check your learner permit, the car and your insurance before the appointment. Make sure your insurance covers the car you'll use for the test.

Read the current insurance document requirements and official car checklist. Leave time to sort out anything missing.

A pretest helps you identify what needs work. Your observations, road position, speed and decisions matter on unfamiliar roads as well as familiar ones.

We offer pretest lessons and car hire packages. Tell us your centre, date and transmission so we can check the instructor and car availability. Agree the arrangement before test day.

After you pass

Passing your test does not replace your learner permit with a full licence. Apply for the full licence and keep following learner rules until it is issued.

First-time full-licence holders must display N plates for two years. Read the official next steps after passing before your first drive as a licensed driver.

Once you hold a full licence, ask about further tuition for roads or conditions you haven't practised. That can include motorway driving, which your learner permit did not allow.

Keep up the car checks and the habits you worked on during lessons. Passing changes your licence. It doesn't remove the need to pay attention.

Your local lessons

Our instructors work with learners across all twelve Leinster counties. Manual and automatic lessons depend on local instructor availability. Agree your meeting point and times with your instructor.

Meeting near Globe Retail Park on Monread Road, or preparing for Naas test centre? The same observations and decisions need practice wherever you drive.

Tell your instructor which part is difficult. Bring your EDT record and, if you've taken a test, your result sheet. Those details help decide what to work on next.

Read about EDT lessons, automatic lessons or pretest preparation. You can also contact the school to check availability in your town.