EDT, Practice and the Role of Your Sponsor

Completing the 12 mandatory Essential Driver Training (EDT) sessions is an important part of learning to drive. However, completing EDT does not automatically mean that you will be ready to sit your driving test or drive independently.

EDT is a structured programme designed to provide a strong foundation in safe driving. Each session introduces important knowledge and practical skills, but these skills must also be developed through regular practice and further instruction where needed.

The Road Safety Authority recommends completing at least three hours of practice after each EDT session, concentrating on the areas covered during that lesson. Across the full 12-session programme, this amounts to at least 36 hours of additional driving practice alongside your formal EDT lessons.

The RSA also recommends allowing approximately two weeks between EDT sessions so that you have time to practice, take further instruction and complete the relevant road-safety reading.

Every learner progresses at a different pace. While 36 hours is the recommended minimum practice across the programme, some learners will require considerably more experience or additional professional lessons before reaching driving-test standard.

The Role of Your Sponsor

A sponsor is an experienced driver who accompanies and supervises you while you practice between professional lessons. This may be a parent, family member, friend or another suitable experienced driver.

Your sponsor must hold a full, valid driving licence in the same vehicle category and must have held that licence for more than two years. A novice driver displaying N-plates cannot act as an accompanying driver for a Category B learner.

Your sponsor is not expected to replace your Approved Driving Instructor or introduce new techniques. Their role is to provide safe, calm supervision while helping you practice and reinforce the skills already covered during your lessons.

What Your Sponsor Should Do

Your sponsor should:

• Follow the guidance and practice goals provided by your ADI.

• Help you practice the skills covered during your most recent EDT session.

• Choose roads, traffic conditions and practice times suitable for your current ability.

• Begin in familiar, lower-risk environments before gradually introducing more demanding situations.

• Remain calm and avoid giving unnecessary or conflicting instructions.

• Encourage safe driving habits rather than focusing only on passing the driving test.

• Discuss what went well and what requires further practice after each drive.

• Record your practice in the Sponsor section of your EDT logbook.

• Contact your ADI if they are unsure about how a particular skill should be practiced.

Before Practicing

Before beginning a practice drive, make sure:

• The learner has a valid learner permit with them.

• The accompanying driver is legally qualified to supervise the learner.

• The learner is properly insured to drive the vehicle.

• The vehicle is roadworthy, taxed and has a valid NCT where required.

• L-plates are clearly displayed at the front and rear of the vehicle.

• The planned route is suitable for the learner’s current experience.

• The learner does not drive on a motorway.

Recording Your Practice

The EDT logbook contains a dedicated Sponsor section where practice sessions can be recorded. Your sponsor should enter the date, duration and skills practiced during each drive.

Keeping an accurate record helps to make your practice more structured and allows you, your sponsor and your ADI to work towards the same goals.

Building Experience Safely

Regular, good-quality supervised practice is one of the most important parts of becoming a safe and confident driver. It gives you the opportunity to repeat important skills, encounter different road and traffic conditions and develop the judgement that comes from experience.

The more meaningful practice you complete between lessons, the better prepared you will be to progress through EDT and eventually reach a safe driving-test standard.