The Manoeuvre
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The emergency stop is given at random in approximately one in three driving tests. If the examiner gives it to you, he will first ask you to find a safe and convenient place to pull up on the left. He will then explain that shortly he will ask you stop as in an emergency. He will explain how he will ask you to stop - which is usually by holding his hand up and using the word ‘stop’ (surprisingly enough!).
The examiner may also explain to you that before he asks you to stop he will look over his right hand shoulder. He is doing this to make sure it is safe behind before he asks you to stop. Try not to use this to anticipate when he is going to ask you to stop.
The examiner will then ask you to drive off normally.
When he gives you the stop signal, he will expect you to:
- React quickly and stop the car promptly
- Do so under full control without skidding
- Stop in the shortest distance possible for the conditions
- Do so safely, without endangering other road users
So, for this lesson, drive to a quiet, straight piece of road and pull up on the left as if your examiner has asked you to do so. Remember, you will be asked to pull up on the left several times during your test for various reasons. Your examiner will never ask you to pull up in a dangerous place, but he will expect you to keep an eye out and make sure you are stopping somewhere safe.
So use this lesson to practice making sure you are stopping in a suitable location. Bad places would be opposite a junction, on a yellow line, across a driveway etc..
When you have secured the car, your mentor should then explain to you that he is going to ask you to do the emergency stop - as explained above.
Move away as normal, not forgetting your good observations. Don’t drive too slowly or try to anticipate when you are going to be asked to stop. When your mentor asks you to stop, do not check your rear view mirror before braking - this is, afterall, supposed to be an emergency. Imagine a child has run out in front of your car. Move your right foot to the brake and press firmly.
Do not stamp on the pedal. Brake progressively - that is to say, increase the pressure as the car slows down.
The exact amount of pressure you will need depends on the car, the road surface and weather conditions, so practice is important. You are trying to press the pedal firmly enough to stop the car quickly, but not so firm as to cause the wheels to lock and put the car into a skid. If the car should begin to skid, release the brake pedal slightly and press it again quickly, only not quite so hard - repeat this if necessary several times in quick succession. This is called cadence braking.
Whilst you are braking, try to avoid the natural instinct of pushing the clutch down too early. Leaving the clutch up stops the car more quickly because the engine slowing down helps the car to slow as well. Press down the clutch pedal just before the car stops to avoid a stall.
When the car has stopped, pull the handbrake on and put the gear lever into neutral. The examiner will then ask you to pull away when you’re ready.
When you have prepared the car to move, make sure you remember to look all the way round the car before moving off. Afterall, this has been an emergency, you may have stopped in the middle of the road, there could be something (say another child). Make sure it is clear before moving away and prepare to make any necessary signals - I can’t stress this strongly enough.
