The emergency stop has been an essential part of the practical driving test since 1935. It shows examiners that you can safely bring your car to a halt quickly and without losing control.

Currently, it is included in one in three tests. However, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is trialling a new approach that reduces the stop’s occurrence down to one in seven tests.

Modern life

That might sound like an odd choice – but the DVSA is exploring new ways to keep the test relevant in the modern era. This is especially true with the modern tech found in cars; in particular, anti-lock brakes fitted in all new cars since 2004.

These ensure that your wheels don’t lock up under heavy or sudden braking, massively reducing the risk of sliding. In recent years, braking tech has evolved even further toinclude systems such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems that can trigger automatic braking in an emergency.

The DVSA is also exploring the possibility of the driving test featuring more time on high-speed and rural roads, too.

Expert take

The reaction from industry experts about the emergency stop reduction has been positive. For instance, Chief Examiner at safety charity IAM RoadSmart, Richard Gladman, told the Daily Telegraph that, “the point is, you don’t know if you’re going to be tested on the emergency stop, so the instructor will still teach it to every student.”

Though he does reveal that the emergency stop appears to improve pass rates: “Interestingly, I looked at the statistics, and the average pass rate among students for whom the emergency stop was included is 57.3 per cent, compared with an average pass rate of 48.6 per cent.”

Stops to stay

Others warn though that the emergency stop should always remain in some form. Carly Brookfield, CEO of the Driving Instructors Association, explained to the Telegraph: “We wouldn’t want to see emergency stops removed from tests totally, as it’s important pupils are adequately trained to manage them in real life, when driving on their own.

“The danger of removing this element from the test altogether is that pupils (and potentially some trainers) may think they don’t have to train as hard in it.”

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