Emergency Stop: Everything You Need To Know
The driving test presents a variety of challenges for even the most prepared learner drivers—from tricky manoeuvres to the 'show me, tell me' questions. One aspect of the test that is often overlooked but can unsettle learners is the emergency stop. With approximately 1 in 3 learners being asked to demonstrate this skill during their test, it’s crucial to know how to execute it correctly. If you’ve not yet mastered the emergency stop, don’t worry—we’re here to guide you through it!
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the emergency stop: how to perform it safely, what the examiner will be looking for, and how it applies to real-life driving situations. Let’s get started!
What is the Emergency Stop?
The name says it all—the emergency stop assesses a driver’s ability to halt the car quickly, without losing control or skidding, in the event of an emergency. Ideally, you’d never need to perform an emergency stop in real life. With strong hazard perception skills and a sound understanding of the Highway Code, you should be able to anticipate potential issues on the road and avoid them using defensive driving techniques. However, if the unexpected happens, knowing how to perform an emergency stop could genuinely save lives.
During your driving test, there’s a 1-in-3 chance you’ll be asked to demonstrate an emergency stop. If it’s required, the examiner will first ask you to pull over on the left and provide verbal instructions, such as:
“In a short time, I will ask you to carry out an emergency stop. I will do so by giving the signal, ‘stop’, and raising my hand. When I do, I’d like you to stop as quickly and as safely as possible. Don’t worry about looking around; I will ensure it’s safe before asking you to proceed. Do you understand these instructions?”
Key Points to Remember:
The examiner will ensure the road and traffic conditions are safe before instructing you to perform an emergency stop. This means you won’t need to make observations—your focus should be on executing the procedure safely and quickly.
If a natural emergency stop occurs during the practical test (e.g., due to unforeseen circumstances on the road), the examiner will tell you that a formal demonstration is no longer required. This will be noted on your feedback sheet (DL25).
What is the examiner looking for?
The purpose of the emergency stop is to stop the vehicle quickly yet safely. There’s no point in stopping in 0.5 seconds if it means you’ve swerved and almost hit the kerb in the process. As such, the examiner will be paying close attention to your control of the vehicle—both hands should remain on the steering wheel. You'll also need to use the clutch and brake properly to complete the procedure. After the stop, the examiner will check your observations before you set off again.
Throughout the manoeuvre, the examiner will be watching for:
Speed: You’ll be given prior warning that the procedure is coming up, and the examiner will check that it is safe before instructing you to stop. Once you receive the verbal and visual cues, it’s up to you to act quickly and decisively.
Control of the vehicle: You must use the clutch and brake correctly to maintain full control of the vehicle as you bring it to a stop. Any swerving, screeching, or coasting may lead to minor or major faults being marked.
Checks and observations: Once you've completed the procedure, you’ll be expected to carry out all-around checks to ensure it’s safe to move off and rejoin traffic.
You could pick up driving test faults for issues such as coasting, not stopping quickly enough, skidding, or lacking overall control of the vehicle.
Step-by-step: How do I complete an emergency stop?
- Await Instructions
Unlike some of the manoeuvres you may be asked to demonstrate during your driving test, you'll actually get some prior warning for the emergency stop. This ensures that you understand what is expected of you and aren’t too caught off guard when it happens.
The examiner will ask you to pull up on the left. Once you’ve found a safe spot, apply the handbrake and select neutral. Then, pay close attention to their instructions. They will let you know that shortly, they will instruct you to carry out an emergency stop. The examiner will show you how this will be done, using both a verbal cue, "stop", and a visual cue with their hand raised.
You don’t need to worry about observations at this point, as the examiner is responsible for checking that it’s safe for the emergency stop. Once you're driving again, try not to worry about when the examiner might ask you to carry out the emergency stop—stay relaxed and drive as normal.
- Take Action Immediately
Although you may notice the examiner performing various checks, it’s important to wait for their signal before starting the emergency stop. If you stop the car by accident, misinterpreting a cue or assuming they will ask you to, you could fail your driving test.
When the examiner gives the signal, you must take action immediately. There’s no need to check your mirrors—the examiner will ensure the roads are clear.
If your car has an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), you need to press both the clutch and brake pedals at the same time. If your car doesn’t have ABS, press the brake first and only depress the clutch just before you come to a stop—pressing it too early could cause you to coast.
Throughout the procedure, keep both hands on the steering wheel. Control is vital, so ensure you don’t swerve. If you stall, don’t worry—it’s not an automatic fail. Simply restart the car.
Once the car has stopped, apply the handbrake and select neutral.
- Observations and Move Off
Once you’ve completed the emergency stop, don’t become complacent—this isn’t the end of the test until you return to the test centre!
After stopping the car, the examiner will tell you when you can move off. Before you do, however, you must ensure it’s safe. Perform your mirror and blindspot checks in an anti-clockwise direction—right shoulder blindspot, right-hand mirror, interior mirror, left-hand mirror, left shoulder blindspot, and finally, the rear window.
Once you're certain there’s no oncoming traffic or road users in your blind spots, you can begin to move. Select first gear, release the handbrake, signal your intention, and proceed.
And that’s it! Now you know how to carry out the emergency stop if you're asked to do so during your driving test.
When Would This Be Used in Real Life?
In driving, it’s crucial to take steps to avoid accidents and casualties. From the moment we begin learning, we’re trained to develop our hazard perception skills in the theory test, which we then apply during lessons and, later, in everyday driving. Unfortunately, even the best hazard perception skills and careful driving cannot predict everything that might happen on the road.
If you’re driving along and the car in front suddenly stops, or a pedestrian runs out in front of you, you may need to stop quickly and safely. If the hazard is too close for a gradual stop, the emergency stop is your best option. It’s your safety net—a precautionary method to ensure you can keep yourself and other road users safe in the worst-case scenario.
Emergency Stop FAQs
- Do I need to signal during an emergency stop?
No. In a real emergency, there wouldn’t be time to signal or warn other drivers. Focus on keeping both hands on the wheel to maintain full control. The only time you might need to indicate is when you move off after the emergency stop. - When will it happen?
There isn’t a set speed, but emergency stops are typically carried out on roads with a 30mph speed limit. However, examiners can ask for it on higher-speed roads if conditions allow. Busy, congested roads are not typically chosen. - What do I do if my car has ABS?
If your car has Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), press the clutch and brake pedals at the same time to perform the emergency stop. - What do I do if my car doesn’t have ABS?
Without ABS, you should press the brake pedal and only press the clutch just before coming to a stop. Pressing it too early could result in coasting, which may cause loss of control. - How do I know if my car has ABS?
If you're using your instructor’s car for your driving test, they will have already informed you if it has ABS. If you're unsure, ask your instructor. If you're using your own car, consult the vehicle's manual. - Should I complete observations beforehand?
No, the examiner is responsible for conducting all necessary checks to ensure it's safe to perform the emergency stop. You don’t need to worry about that. - What are the odds I’ll be asked to do this on my practical?
You have a 1-in-3 chance of being asked to perform an emergency stop. There’s no way to predict whether you’ll be asked, so it’s best to be prepared to carry it out safely. - Will I fail if I stall the car during the emergency stop?
Not necessarily. It depends on how you respond. If you remain calm, restart the car, and continue from where you left off, you may only receive a minor fault. However, if you panic and lose control, the examiner could give you a serious fault. At Leo Driving School, we’ll make sure you're fully prepared for every aspect of the test, including bay parking.