The Emergency Stop
If you are required to perform an emergency stop on your driving test, the examiner will first ask you to stop in a safe place where they will explain to you the process.
Not every test performs an Emergency Stop. There is roughly a one in three chance you will be asked to do one
You will then be asked to move off, and the emergency stop will commence a short time after.
Be assured that the emergency stop will be performed on a safe, quiet stretch of road, and the examiner will make sure no cars are following behind.
Unlike all other driving manoeuvres, you do not have to check your mirrors before making an emergency stop, as in real life there wouldn’t be time to do so.
The examiner will be looking to see that you can stop your car safely and as quickly as possible. The three key elements are:
• Speed – fast reaction time from releasing the accelerator to applying the brake and clutch.
• Control – bring the car to a brisk, safe and stationary position under a controlled stop.
• Observation – ensuring it is safe to move away when completed.
Before giving you the signal to ‘Stop’ the Examiner himself would have checked the road behind with a look over his right shoulder.
If satisfied it is safe, the examiner will raise their right hand and say ‘Stop’.
You should
• Keep both hands firmly grasping on the steering wheel.
• Press as hard as you can on the brake pedal and keep full pressure applied until you come to a stop.
• Press the clutch pedal down just before you come to a stop to prevent the engine from stalling.
• Once the car is stationary, apply the handbrake, select 1st gear and prepare to move.
• Six point check and when safe, move off
When braking harshly with ABS don’t be put off by any noise or pulsating sensation you feel through the brake pedal, as this is a normal feature of ABS.
