How To Do An Emergency Stop
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How To Do An Emergency Stop
An emergency stop is conducted at random in 1 out of every 3 driving tests. It is done for road safety purposes with the aim of the emergency stop manoeuvre being to demonstrate that you can bring the car to a halt safely and under control in an emergency situation.
On this page you will find step by step instructions and video tutorials to help you learn how to do a perfect emergency stop!
Contents at a Glance
The content of this page is copyright of CDT (author) February 2012. Please DO NOT copy or reproduce elsewhere either in print or online.
The advice given on this page has been written by fully qualified Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructors (DSA ADIs) and is intended only for UK drivers and those taking the UK Practical Driving Test.
Please be aware that road traffic legislation and what is considered good driving practice varies throughout the world!
Emergency Stop
While the examiner wants you to stop quickly, they also want you to stop under CONTROL
Brake firmly and progressively but not too harshly or you may cause the brakes to lock and the car to skid
Emergency Stop Tips
Step by step instructions and help on how to do an emergency stop
Emergency Stop On Your Driving Test
Emergency stop (controlled stop) on a driving test
If the examiner wants you to carry out the emergency stop, you will be asked to pull over at the side of the road in a safe place and the examiner will then explain what you will be required to do along the following lines;
"Shortly I am going to ask you to stop the vehicle as if in an emergency. Just as if for example a small child ran into the road ahead of you. My signal for the manoeuvre will be..." (at this point the examiner will demonstrate the signal they will give you - it's usually holding up their right hand in front of the windscreen whilst saying "STOP").
The examiner will continue their instructions - "When I give the signal I'd like you to stop the car as soon as possible, while maintaining full control. Please try not to anticipate the manoeuvre when you see me look over my shoulder to check that it is safe for you to perform it. Drive on when you are ready please".
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Don't Try To Anticipate The Examiner's Signal For The Emergency Stop!
The examiner will ask you to do the emergency stop as soon as they reasonably can, but they have to make sure that the road conditions are suitable and that it will be safe.
Remember that the examiner has said "soon" NOT "immediately", so WAIT for the signal.
Drive on as you normally would and don't have your foot hovering over the brake pedal!
How To Do An Emergency Stop - Step-By-Step
Step-by-step instructions on how to do an emergency stop on your driving test
You may find it helpful to use this list as a memory jogger (aide memoire) - you can print it out if you need to using the "Printable Version" link underneath the instructions!
For those who prefer instructions given visually, there are some tutorial videos further down the page - some with an audio commentary for those who like to listen to what they need to do!
Instructions
Doing An Emergency Stop On A Driving Test
1. After the examiner has explained what you will be required to do, move away as normal after making the proper observations. Try to keep your cool and don't try to anticipate when the examiner will ask you to stop. You WILL see the examiner checking that it's safe for you to do the emergency stop but don't assume that it's about to happen just because the examiner looks around - you must WAIT until you get the signal!
2. When the signal is given, you must try to stop as soon as possible in a controlled manner. This is the only time on your test that is no need for mirror checks or signals - the examiner has already checked it is safe and your brake lights will tell other road users what you are doing. Simply remove your foot from the accelerator (gas pedal) and brake firmly but not too hard that the brakes lock or you skid. Just before the car stops press the clutch pedal down. Keep both hands on the steering wheel as you brake to keep the car in a straight line - there's no need to worry about changing gear.
3. When the car has stopped, apply the handbrake and put the gear lever into neutral and take your feet off the pedals while you wait for the examiner's next instruction.
4. The examiner will then say something along the lines of; "Thank you, I won't ask you to do that exercise again. Drive on and follow the road ahead when you're ready.". Before moving away you must perform an all-round observation including mirror checks, checking over both your left and right shoulder and giving a signal if necessary.
Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre Not Needed!
While doing an emergency stop on your driving test there is no need for mirror checks or signals before you stop - the examiner has already checked it is safe and your brake lights will tell other road users what you are doing!
On completion of the exercise though, you MUST take full observations before moving off again
Emergency Stop Video Tutorials
Videos showing the correct way to do an emergency stop
Emergency Stop Do's & Don't's
Don't try to anticipate the examiner's request to stop
Don't worry about MSM, signalling or gears
Don't slam your foot too hard on the brake
If you feel the brakes locking up, ease off the brake pedal
REMEMBER - check all round & over both shoulders before moving off afterwards!
Common Mistakes When Doing An Emergency Stop
Mistakes that could result in driving test faults when carrying out an emergency stop during your driving test
Applying the handbrake before stopping
Skidding out of control
Missing the foot pedal
Letting go of the steering wheel
*source - retired driving examiner David Joberns (used with permission)
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Did You Find This Page Useful?
Did you find the advice given about how to do an emergency stop helpful?
Further Help
If you need more help, here's a few links to some highly recommended books and software that will not only help you to pass your driving test, but will teach you good, safe driving practice - for life!
Recommended PC Software: "Driving Test Success"
The Driving Test Success range of learner driver software from Focus Multimedia
Driving Test Success All Tests 2012 Edition (PC)
by Focus Multimedia Ltd
"The best and most comprehensive learner driver product on the market." - Approved Driving Instructor News
* THEORY TEST - all the OFFICIAL DSA revision questions, explanations and practise questions
* HAZARD PERCEPTION TEST - practice hazard perception video clips
* PRACTICAL TEST - 50+ video tutorials
* MOCK DRIVING TEST - watch a mock driving test from inside the car
* ROAD SIGNS TEST- test yourself on road signs
* The Highway Code
* Learn anywhere on your iPod, mobile phone or portable music player
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Recommended DVD: "Driving Test Success"
DVDi - interactive DVD, no PC required - all you need is a TV and DVD player
Driving Test Success All Tests DVD 2012 Edition (Interactive DVD)
by Focus Multimedia Ltd
For those who don't have access to a computer, this interactive DVD is invaluable. It will run on a DVD player or DVD compatible games console and enables those without a PC to get useful visual help and practice for both the Theory and Practical tests.
DVD 1 - THEORY TEST
DVD 2 - HAZARD PERCEPTION TEST
DVD 3 - PRACTICAL TEST
Gain the confidence and knowledge you need to pass your Driving Test using this fully comprehensive DVD.
Includes more than 50 video driving lessons and tutorials for all the manoeuvres required on your driving test.
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Recommended Book: "Driving, The Essential Skills"
The Official DSA Guide to Driving - The Essential Skills
The Official DSA Guide to Driving: the essential skills (Paperback)
by the Driving Standards Agency
This book has been written by the Driving Standards Agency - the people who set the driving test!
This book explains clearly and precisely all the skills you need to show the examiner during your driving test and how to achieve them.
If you drive to the standard outlined in this book, not only should you pass your driving test, but you will be a safe and considerate driver after you pass.
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How To Pass Your Driving Test
Links to more information pages to help you pass your driving test!
More Information About The UK Theory Test
Theory and Hazard Perception Test
Traffic Signs Quiz
Preparing For Your Driving Test
Learning To Drive A Car
How To Find A Driving Instructor
How To Beat Driving Test Nerves
How To Pass Your Driving Test
Driving Test Manoeuvres
How To Reverse Around a Corner
How To Do A Turn In The Road (3 Point Turn)
How To Bay Park
How To Parallel Park
What Happens During The Practical Driving Test
Practical Driving Test (Cars)
Study Aids For Learner Drivers
Recommended Books For Learner Drivers
Best DVDs For Learner Drivers
Gift Ideas For Learner Drivers
Foreign Language Translations For The UK Driving Theory Test
Theory Test In Punjabi
Theory Test In Urdu
Theory Test In Polish
Emergency Stop Talkback!
Comments or questions about emergency stops? Ask here!
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Reply
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rasi
Feb 25, 2011 @ 11:36 pm | delete
- My driving instructor said when do an emergency stop keep both hands on steering wheel and no need to put hand break until the examiner says a word. Is that correct?
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CDT
Feb 26, 2011 @ 8:09 am | delete
- As soon as the car stops you MUST put on the handbrake and put the gear lever into neutral.
Remember that if this was a "real-life" emergency such a child running into the road, the aim is to avoid an accident, so you stop as soon as you possibly can without looking in your mirrors. IF you were then hit from behind by following traffic and you had NOT used your handbrake or gone into neutral, the impact would probably push you forward and the result of that could be disastrous.
When you're on test the examiner will make sure that there's nothing behind you, but you need to know the correct thing to do IF you need to stop in a real-life emergency, so ALWAYS use your handbrake and put the car in neutral when doing an emergency stop and if your instructor disagrees please draw his/her attention to my comments :)
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KathyMcGraw
Mar 31, 2010 @ 8:19 pm | delete
- You sure have a lot of good info here!
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How To Do An Emergency Stop - Index
How to do a controlled stop (emergency stop) on your driving test
- Emergency Stop
- Emergency Stop On Your Driving Test
- Don't Try To Anticipate The Examiner's Signal For The Emergency Stop!
- How To Do An Emergency Stop - Step-By-Step
- Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre Not Needed!
- Emergency Stop Video Tutorials
- Emergency Stop Do's & Don't's
- Common Mistakes When Doing An Emergency Stop
- Did You Find This Page Useful?
- Further Help
- Recommended PC Software: "Driving Test Success"
- Recommended DVD: "Driving Test Success"
- Recommended Book: "Driving, The Essential Skills"
- How To Pass Your Driving Test
- Emergency Stop Talkback!
- Driving Test News
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