Driving Schools Directory
• Accelerator • Gear Lever • Moving Away • Seat Belts
• Anticipation • Gears • Moving Off • Signals
• Approaching Junctions • General • Overtaking • Steering
• Brake • Handbrake • Pedestrian Crossings • Steering Wheel
• Clearance • Head Restraint • Reverse Parking • Stopping
• Clutch • Indicators • Reversing • T-Junctions
• Crossing Other Traffic • Interior Mirror • Road Positioning • The Engine
• Crossroads • Making Progress • Safe Distance • Turn In The Road
• Emmergency Stop • Meeting Approaching Traffic • Safety Routine
• Exterior Mirrors • Mirrors • Seat


Practical Driving Test Tips - Stopping
Problem Reason Solution
When you stopped you used the wrong sequence Because you selected neutral before you applied the handbrake Apply the handbrake first, and then select neutral
When you stopped you used the wrong sequence Because you slowed / stopped the car with the handbrake Use the footbrake to slow or stop the car whilst it is moving
You came to a very sharp stop Because you didn’t brake progressively Start braking lightly; then increase the pressure, and then ease off as the car stops. Squeeze & Ease.
You came to a very sharp stop Because you jabbed at the pedal Use a smooth progressive action
You came to a very sharp stop Because your footwear isn’t allowing you to operate the controls precisely Wear shoes with thinner soles (not trainers) to give better control
You coasted unnecessarily Because you pushed the clutch down too early Push the clutch down within the final car length
You didn’t have full control when you stopped Because you took your left hand off the steering wheel before the car stopped Take your hand off the wheel only when the car is stationary. Let the weight of the car settle on its springs before applying the handbrake
You stalled Because you didn’t push the clutch down at all Push the clutch briskly all the way down just before the car stops
You stalled Because you pushed the clutch only halfway down Push the clutch all the way down to the floor
You stalled Because you mistook the clutch-rest/another pedal for the clutch Practise using the clutch, on the left of the foot pedals
You stalled Because you pushed the clutch down too late Push the clutch down in the final half to one car length
You stalled Because you took too long to push the clutch down Push the clutch down briskly, in the time it takes to say ‘clutch down’
You stalled Because you took your foot off the clutch before you’d put the car in. neutral Take your foot off the clutch only when the car is stationary, the handbrake is applied and the car is in neutral
You stalled Because you pumped the clutch Push the clutch down, and keep it down until the car has stopped and has been made safe
You’ve stopped at an angle / not parallel to the kerb (front of car protruding) Because you over steered - that is, you steered out / away from the kerb more than you’d steered in Steer away from the kerb the same amount you’ve steered in, say, a quarter turn of the wheel
You’ve stopped at an angle / not parallel to the kerb (front of car protruding) Because you’re unsure what ‘parallel to the kerb’ means The left-side front and rear wheels should be the same distance from the kerb (15 / 20 cm)
You’ve stopped at an angle / not parallel to the kerb (rear of car protruding) Because once you’d steered in, you didn’t steer out - to the right - to get yourself parallel to the kerb Steer out / away from the kerb (the same amount as you steered left) when the front of the car is the correct distance from the kerb
You’ve stopped too close to / over / a drive / junction / entrance / bend / other hazard Because you didn’t look for a safe and convenient place Scan the road ahead and look at the kerb specifically - are there dropped kerbs? Are there entrances? Is there a bend? And so on. Actively look for the hazards.
You’ve stopped too far away from the kerb Because you didn’t turn the steering wheel (enough) Turn the steering wheel approximately a quarter turn towards the left / kerb
You’ve stopped too far away from the kerb Because you stared straight ahead Look ahead and glance at the kerb to position yourself correctly
You’ve stopped too far away from the kerb Because you couldn’t judge-the correct distance Advise the pupil accordingly
You’ve stopped too far away from the kerb Because you didn’t know, or forgot, what the correct distance is Stop 15 - 20cm from the kerb If pupil is at all unsure, show your hands apart to illustrate the distance