The Emergency (Controlled) Stop
While the vast majority of circumstances that would require you to stop can be predicted by the application of good hazard perception skills there will always be the odd circumstance that cannot, and hence the reason why the emergency stop is included in the driving test as an option.
If included the examiner will ask you to pull up before explaining the procedure. Before issuing the command the examiner will look around to make sure it is safe to conduct the exercise. If it is not safe the examiner will expect you to continue to drive until a safe opportunity arises.
What the examiner is looking for
The examiner is assessing your ability to stop the car
- Very quickly
- By braking in one smooth progressive action
- In a straight line with both hands firmly on the steering wheel
- Without locking the wheels and causing any unnecessary skidding
- Without depressing the clutch pedal until just before the car comes to a halt.
The examiner is also checking to see that you properly secure the car by
- Applying the hand brake
- Placing the gear into the neutral position before releasing your feet from the footbrake and clutch.
Because the car is positioned away from the kerb the examiner will also expect you to take additional observational checks towards your left hand blind spot before moving off.
Driving faults recorded 20 Controlled stop
Promptly:
- Slow reaction to signal.
- Not stopping quickly enough.
Under control:
- Uses footbrake and clutch together.
- Clutch pedal used too soon.
- Harsh stamping rather than progressive application of the footbrake.
- Uses handbrake to stop.
- Locks front or rear wheels.
- Induces a skid by braking and steering at the same time.
- Loses control by skidding.
Reversing around a corner