Reduced Essential Driver Training Programme (EDT) for Foreign Licence Holders - 2022

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Sage

Reduced Essential Driver Training (EDT) is introduced for drivers who hold an existing car licence (category B) but come from a country without an Ireland licence exchange agreement. On first obtaining an Irish learner permit, the programme supports completion prior to taking the driving test, replacing the full twelve one-hour sessions with a reduced six one-hour course focused on vital skills and road safety knowledge. The material outlines who may apply and application conditions, plus submission steps, required documents, and RSA-approved instructor delivery requirements.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Reduced Essential Driver Training (EDT) for Foreign Licence Holders

Eligibility and who can apply

Conditions for applying

How to apply

Approved driving instructor (ADI)

Reduced Essential Driver Training Programme (EDT) for Foreign Licence Holders On 21 January 2019 the Road Safety Authority (RSA) introduced a reduced EDT programme for drivers who currently hold a car licence (category B) but come from a country that does not have a licence exchange agreement with Ireland. When you get your ﬁrst Irish learner permit, in order to sit your driving test you must complete Essential Driver Training (EDT) . The full course is twelve one-hour sessions. The reduced EDT programme is six one-hour sessions. 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. Who can apply? Holders of a current foreign driving licence from another country with which Ireland does not have a licence exchange agreement. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Conditions for applying: 1. You must hold a foreign driving licence. 2. You must have held a licence for at least two years prior to the issue of your Irish learner permit. 3. Your licence must not have expired more than six months on the date of receipt of application form. 4. You must be resident in Ireland. 5. You must hold an Irish learner permit. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE VIEW OUR‘REDUCED ESSENTIAL DRIVER TRAINING (EDT)’ INFORMATION BOOKLET AT WWW.RSA.IE How do I apply? 1. Complete the ‘Foreign Licence Holders Application form for Reduced Essential Driver Training (EDT) and/or Exemption from Six Months Wait Time for Driving Test. 2. Enclose your original foreign driving licence. 3. Enclose a Letter of Entitlement. This is a document that you must get from the licensing authority who issued your foreign licence. 4. Post these to: Reduced EDT, National Driver Licence Service, PO Box 858, Southside Delivery O􀂈ce, Cork. *Application Form for Reduced EDT is available at www.rsa.ie and www.ndls.ie. Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) Only instructors approved by the RSA can deliver the reduced Essential Driver Training programme. Find an ADI instructor here. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE VIEW OUR‘REDUCED ESSENTIAL DRIVER TRAINING (EDT)’ INFORMATION BOOKLET AT WWW.RSA.IE

FAQs

What is the reduced Essential Driver Training (EDT) programme for foreign licence holders?

It is a condensed EDT course for drivers who already hold a car licence (category B) from a country without an Ireland licence exchange agreement. It uses six one-hour sessions instead of the full twelve to teach vital driving skills and road safety knowledge.

Who is eligible to apply for the reduced EDT programme?

Applicants must hold a current foreign driving licence from a country that does not have a licence exchange agreement with Ireland. They must also be resident in Ireland and obtain an Irish learner permit.

What documents and steps are required to apply?

Complete the foreign licence holders application form for reduced EDT and/or exemption from the six-month wait time, enclose the original foreign driving licence, and include a Letter of Entitlement from the issuing licensing authority. Post the materials to the Reduced EDT National Driver Licence Service address in Cork.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Sage