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Many people still have queries with regard to the new EDT Lessons. I hope this BlogSpot helps. Here are some questions I have been asked regularly. Please phone or e mail me with any questions you may have. I will happy to help.
Is there a form that I get to sign in order to backdate lessons already taken?
No. The new EDT lessons only apply to people who have received their very first learner permit on or after the 4th April 2011.
Can every driving instructor give these EDT lessons?
Registered and approved driving instructors were given an option before the programme was rolled out, as to whether to cover the new EDT programme or continue to give lessons as they had been before. However, anyone who as I mentioned above has received their very first learner permit on or after 4th April, 2011 must do the EDT programme. So, it is necessary to choose an instructor who is set up to do this programme to ensure that you may sit your driving test.
What is the difference between the EDT lessons and the driving lessons which were given before this new system?
The new programme only covers areas that statistics show are high risk where most collisions occur and does not bring a student from A-Z with what is needed to sit the driving test, for example the turnabout and reverse are not included in the EDT programme. With the 'old' for want of a better word, lessons. a student could start a first lesson having never sat behind the wheel before.
With the new programme before taking EDT lesson 1, a student must familiarise themselves with, the rules of the road, safety checks. Know how to use the primary controls such as steering wheel and brakes. Know how to use the secondary controls such as lights and wipers. A student must have practised moving off, stopping and driving in safe and quiet conditions for at least three hours. So, you can see already that there is a lot of preparation to be done by a student before the first lesson should be done. It is also important where possible that a student practises for three hours in preparation before each of the 12 EDT lessons, practising what had been covered in the previous lesson.
The three hours practise may be done with a Sponsor (someone that you are comfortable with and has held a full drivers licence for at least two years), in fact I recommend this or they may get their practice with their driving instructor or a combination of both. It is easier on the pocket if you can practice before the first EDT and between EDT lessons with your Sponsor.
Practise is the key. The lesson time can only show a student the how, why and when and only has a small amount of time to practise but, it's the practise outside of the lesson that makes the big difference on how fast you progress throughout the lessons and will ensure that you are prepared for the next stage involved in learning to drive.
Remember, it's all about learning in steps. You cannot be taught how to spell words without first having learned and practised the alphabet. You cannot be given an essay to write until you have learned and practised the basic skills of writing. And so it is with driving, you cannot be taught more complex driving skills until you have practised what is necessary to get you to that next stage. Practise, practise, practise. :)
