RSA site mentions that any person getting their first learner permit with a start date on or after 4th April 2011 must complete a minimum 12 hours of Essential Driver Training. Are people actually ready to shell out that kind of money 30E to 40E per session (360E to 480E in total). Looks like daylight robbery to me. I feel this move will discourage new drivers. I heard some people are taking tests in UK to avoid paying so much for mandatory classes.
EDT (Essential Driver Training) compulsory from 4th April
- Thread starter inasoup
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newirishman
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12 hours is still nothing, and 300/400 Euro is cheap compared to Contintental Europe.
Germany: avg 1700 Euro, Austria: 1500+
However, you get 20-25 hours of driver training, significant theory lessons. In Austria, yuo even have to do a specialised driver training after 2 years latest, which is another 200 Euro.
It does not in any way discourage new drivers in these countries.
I personally think that the Irish system is suboptimal. Introduce proper driver training, get rid of the "L" plate. This might actually save a few lifes.
Germany: avg 1700 Euro, Austria: 1500+
However, you get 20-25 hours of driver training, significant theory lessons. In Austria, yuo even have to do a specialised driver training after 2 years latest, which is another 200 Euro.
It does not in any way discourage new drivers in these countries.
I personally think that the Irish system is suboptimal. Introduce proper driver training, get rid of the "L" plate. This might actually save a few lifes.
The majority of people already do more paid lessons than that already. In the UK, on average, those who pass have had 47 hours of professional instruction.
Can you point to evidence of people travelling to the UK to do tests? Doing so to save less than €500 makes little sense. What about travel expenses? Obtaining a UK address? Qualifying for a National Insurance number?
Can you point to evidence of people travelling to the UK to do tests? Doing so to save less than €500 makes little sense. What about travel expenses? Obtaining a UK address? Qualifying for a National Insurance number?
My son got his provisional licence before the new rules came in and he will be taking at least 12 lessons, if not more, before he attempts his test.
The standard of driving in the South of Ireland is dreadful, it's long overdue that some rules were introduced to train drivers properly.
The standard of driving in the South of Ireland is dreadful, it's long overdue that some rules were introduced to train drivers properly.
I have not done any research in this. A cab driver told me he knows many people who give test in UK as they have relatives living there so can use that address. And then take insurance there and transfer it here. I know people who have taken less than 10 classes and maybe just 5-6 classes for automatic cars. I feel it wouldn't have been a problem 4 years back. But it will surely be difficult for people who have lost about 650E or more per month since pay cuts were introduced in public sector.
