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 |