[eluser]LuckyFella73[/eluser]
You can set a default entry for your dropdown where
the value is '' - for example:
Code:
$options = array(
'' => 'please select',
'value_1' => 'Cars',
'value_2' => 'Planes',
'value_3' => 'Ships',
);
In your controller set the validation rule for that element like:
$this->form_validation->set_rules('select_name', 'Example Select', 'required');
Don't forget to load the form validation class of course..