From 2026, all learner drivers will face new questions on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of defibrillators in the driving theory test. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) says the move is designed to boost the UK’s poor cardiac arrest survival rates.
There are more than 40,000 out-of-hospital incidents each year but fewer than one in 10 people surviving. The change will see enhanced CPR content added to the multiple-choice section, alongside questions on how to operate an automated external defibrillator (AED) for the first time.
By building these questions into a test taken by 2.4 million people annually, the DVSA hopes to create a generation of drivers ready to act in roadside medical emergencies. Early CPR and defibrillation can lift survival rates from under 10% to as high as 70% if given within minutes of collapse.
Why it matters
Drivers are often first on the scene when cardiac arrests happen, whether after a collision, at a service station, or simply encountering someone who has collapsed at the roadside. Resuscitation Council UK says that every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces survival chances by up to 10%.
The DVSA’s decision follows collaboration with Save a Life programmes in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, plus Resuscitation Council UK. Free resources on CPR and AED use are already available online to support the new learning requirements.
Mark Winn, DVSA Chief Driving Examiner, said: ‘Part of being a safe and responsible driver is knowing what to do in an emergency – how to step in and make a real, life-saving difference. Learning CPR and how to use an AED is a very simple skill and adding this into the official learning resource is a great way for DVSA to support the drive to raise awareness.’
What this means for you
If you are learning to drive from autumn 2025, you will need to know how to carry out CPR and use a defibrillator before sitting your theory test. This will not make the test longer or more expensive, but you will need to revise these new topics alongside road signs and hazard perception.
The knowledge is not just for the test. If you ever find yourself first on the scene of a medical emergency, you will have the confidence to act quickly while waiting for an ambulance. That could mean the difference between life and death.
Even if you passed your test years ago, brushing up on CPR and AED skills could be worth your time. The Resuscitation Council UK offers free online guides and videos, so there’s no excuse not to refresh your knowledge.
Editor’s view: What an excellent development!
I think this is a brilliant move. Anything that gets more people confident in using CPR and defibrillators can only be a good thing. As drivers, we are often first to arrive when something goes wrong, and having those skills means we can do more than just call 999 and hope.
I like that the DVSA is not adding extra cost or complexity to the test – it’s just making sure new drivers leave with life-saving knowledge as standard. This feels like a common-sense upgrade to driver training, and it is long overdue.
I am always in favour of smarter, safer roads. Whatever you drive, knowing CPR could save someone’s life if you’re first on the scene of an accident – and that’s something worth learning for all of us.
Keith Adams – Editor, Parkers
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