Manual car

For a manual car, the correct steps for an emergency stop are:

1. Release the gas pedal immediately.
2. Press the brake pedal firmly and quickly (don't pump the brakes, just apply steady pressure).
3. Press the clutch pedal just before stopping to prevent stalling (but focus on braking first).
4. Keep both hands on the steering wheel and maintain control.

Automatic Car

For an automatic car, you only need to:

1. Release the gas pedal
2. Press the brake pedal firmly and quickly
3. The car will handle the rest—no clutch involved.

Common Mistakes

1. Pressing the clutch too early – This can cause coasting, reducing braking efficiency. The clutch should only be pressed just before stopping.
2. Not braking firmly enough – Some learners hesitate and apply the brakes too gently, leading to a slow stop instead of an emergency one.
3. Braking too harshly – Slamming the brakes too aggressively can cause skidding (especially in non-ABS cars). ABS-equipped cars help prevent this.
4. Not keeping both hands on the steering wheel – Some learners take one hand off, which can reduce control during a sudden stop.
5. Oversteering or swerving – If the learner panics, they might jerk the steering wheel, making the car unstable.
6. Releasing the brakes too soon – The car should come to a complete stop before releasing the brake pedal.
7. Not checking mirrors before moving off – After the stop, the learner must check mirrors and blind spots before restarting to ensure it's safe.
8. Failing to respond to the examiner’s signal – Hesitating or reacting too late when the examiner gives the stop command can lead to failure.

Key Tips

1. Stay calm and apply firm, controlled braking.
2. Always check mirrors before moving off again.
3. In modern cars with ABS, don’t pump the brakes—just press them firmly and let ABS do the work.
4. In non-ABS cars, use cadence braking (repeated short braking to avoid skidding).