CPR questions to be added to driving theory test
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) – which oversees driving tests in Britain – said motorists are often "first on the scene" when someone suffers a cardiac arrest.
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Learner drivers are to be quizzed on their CPR skills in an update to the theory test.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) – which oversees driving tests in Britain – said motorists are often "first on the scene" when someone suffers a cardiac arrest.
Adding questions on CPR and defibrillators to the theory test from early next year means candidates will "have a better understanding of the skills to use in an emergency", it added.
More than 40,000 people in the UK suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year, with fewer than one in 10 surviving.
Research has found survival rates can be as high as 70% if CPR is given and a defibrillator used within three to five minutes of collapse.
DVSA chief driving examiner Mark Winn 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 a defibrillator 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."
The push for the change was led by Professor Len Nokes – chair of the Save a Life Cymru scheme – whose 24-year-old daughter Claire died in 2017 from complications following a cardiac arrest.
He said: "When Claire, my daughter, had her cardiac arrest, some knowledge of CPR might have made a difference.
"I don't want any other family to go through this experience.
"All of us in this partnership hope that by making CPR and how to use a defibrillator part of the theory test, we will be able to significantly increase the number of people who have this life-saving awareness."
James Cant, chief executive of charity Resuscitation Council UK, said: "By embedding these life-saving skills into such a widely-taken assessment, we can help ensure that more people, from all communities, gain the knowledge and confidence to act during a cardiac arrest."
Learners must pass the theory driving test before booking a practical test.
Theory test candidates are required to get at least 43 out of 50 multiple-choice questions correct, covering areas such as road signs, traffic laws, vehicle safety and first aid.
They must also pass a hazard perception video test.
Article continues below
More than two million theory tests are taken each year, with a pass rate of about 45%.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
New skills needed for driving theory test and when exam will change
The new questions will be rolling out from early 2026, with official guides and learning material already updated The DVSA has revealed that the driving theory test will now include questions on CPR and defibrillator use. The department hopes this move will educate millions each year in these life-saving skills, thereby increasing survival rates from cardiac arrest and easing pressure on the NHS. For those feeling nervous about the new additions to the test, we sought clarification from the Resuscitation Council, the leading healthcare charity responsible for setting CPR guidelines. The organisation confirmed that the questions will focus on basic CPR and defibrillator use and will only be added to the car and motorcycle theory test in early 2026. According to the organisation, effective CPR skills can be learned or self-taught in less than 15 minutes. This gives future drivers ample time to acquire these new required skills before the rules come into effect. Official learning materials have already been updated, so those wishing to study can utilise the Official DVSA Guide to Driving or the new Resuscitation Council hub, which offers free training resources. Updates to motorcycle publications are expected to follow shortly. The new questions will be entirely theory-based and set by the DVSA, meaning learners won't need to physically demonstrate their skills in a practical manner. The DVSA won't reveal the precise questions learners will face, but has provided some examples. This includes a multiple-choice question about who can operate a public access defibrillator, also known as an AED. The options range from paramedics only to first aiders only, doctors only, and everyone. The organisation explained that this change is being implemented now in hopes that the 2.4 million people sitting their theory test annually will acquire life-saving skills before taking to the roads. According to the Resuscitation Council, 41% of the UK population has received CPR training within the past decade. In the UK, over 40,000 people experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest annually, with fewer than one in 10 surviving - but if CPR is administered and a defibrillator deployed within three to five minutes of collapse, survival rates could reach as high as 70%. CEO of Resuscitation Council UK, James Cant, said: "We're delighted to be working with the DVSA and other partners to introduce CPR and defibrillator awareness into the driving theory test. "By embedding these life-saving skills into such a widely taken assessment, we can help ensure that more people, from all communities, gain the knowledge and confidence to act during a cardiac arrest." Recent research from the European Resuscitation Council discovered that 44% of European countries mandate citizens to undergo basic life support courses for certain driving licences. This includes CPR and defibrillator awareness.
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
'My world fell apart when my granddaughter died'
A woman has said her "world fell apart" when her six-year-old granddaughter died after living with a rare had tubulinopathy, a condition that causes brain malformations. She was born in 2018 and died at home in July said: "My world crumbled, because I was in the bedroom with Nevaeh. I was holding her hand."I'm there telling her, 'remember nana loves you', and I felt her heart beat for the last time. I was there waiting for it to beat again - but it didn't. I felt my world fall apart." Nevaeh was born a twin in June 2018 at the Leicester Royal Infirmary. Claire said she could not take food or hold her head up, and four days after her birth, her weight had hospital carried out blood tests as well as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, and about four weeks later she was diagnosed with tubulinopathy, Claire said at the time of Navaeh's diagnosis, there were only about 100 or so known cases in the 58-year-old then became Nevaeh's full-time carer when she was six months old."It was hard, I volunteered, as I worked part-time and I was like 'yeah I can do this', but eventually Nevaeh's seizures got worse and I gave up my part-time job," Claire, from Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, said. Nevaeh had intensive care needs, was profoundly deaf, and although she could see slightly, she was registered said managing those conditions were the "easy things" to take care of, compared to the seizures Nevaeh had on a daily basis which were "hard" to added Nevaeh's siblings lived with her parents, and they would all have "quality time" together. 'The best gift' Claire said Nevaeh enjoyed sensory stimulation through music and physical touch."She loved sensory things, especially massages and she loved music therapy."Although she was deaf, Nevaeh would feel the vibrations. We used to play You're Welcome from [Disney film] Moana on repeat as we both loved it so much. "We played that song at her funeral," Claire died at home, which Claire said was "what I wanted, what our family wanted and I believe, what she wanted". After her death, Nevaeh's mother bought a toy bear, with a recording of Nevaeh laughing inside said her granddaughter was an "absolute warrior" and "the best gift I could ever ask for". Claire said she and Nevaeh would go to the Loughborough-based Rainbows Hospice, from Monday to Friday each week. "Looking after Nevaeh took all of my time, and Rainbows gave me a break so I could rest and sleep," Claire added. Claire said eventually it was too much for the pair to go to Rainbows, but the hospice came to them through a hospice at home service."I honestly don't know how I would have managed without their incredible team. They helped us through the most difficult time of our lives," Claire added for six months, nurses came to see Nevaeh and assessed her palliative care needs, as well as making her as comfortable as she could be. The hospice has now launched a summer fundraising appeal, saying it needs about £8.5m a year to run its supports more than 750 babies, children and young people living with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, Rainbows added.
Western Telegraph
a day ago
- Western Telegraph
DVSA to add CPR and defibrillators to driving theory test
Within the theory test, they will be quizzed on their CPR skills and how to use a defibrillator. The DVSA, which oversees driving tests in Britain, said motorists are often 'first on the scene' when someone suffers a cardiac arrest. Adding questions on CPR and defibrillators to the theory test from early next year means candidates will 'have a better understanding of the skills to use in an emergency', it added. An incredibly moving feature on @BBCBreakfast this morning featuring footballer and BHF Ambassador Tom Lockyer. 👇 Take 15 minutes out of your day today to learn CPR with our free online training tool RevivR. It could help you to save a life. — British Heart Foundation (@TheBHF) August 7, 2025 DVSA to make change to theory driving test content More than 40,000 people in the UK suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year, with fewer than one in 10 surviving. Research has found survival rates can be as high as 70% if CPR is given and a defibrillator is used within three to five minutes of collapse. DVSA chief driving examiner, Mark Winn, 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 a defibrillator 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.' The push for the change was led by Professor Len Nokes, chair of the Save a Life Cymru scheme, whose 24-year-old daughter Claire died in 2017 from complications following a cardiac arrest. He said: 'When Claire, my daughter, had her cardiac arrest, some knowledge of CPR might have made a difference. 'I don't want any other family to go through this experience. 'All of us in this partnership hope that by making CPR and how to use a defibrillator part of the theory test, we will be able to significantly increase the number of people who have this life-saving awareness.' James Cant, chief executive of charity Resuscitation Council UK, said: 'By embedding these life-saving skills into such a widely-taken assessment, we can help ensure that more people, from all communities, gain the knowledge and confidence to act during a cardiac arrest.' What does a driving theory test mean for learner drivers? Learners must pass the theory driving test before booking a practical test. Theory test candidates must get at least 43 out of 50 multiple-choice questions correct, covering areas such as road signs, traffic laws, vehicle safety and first aid. 10 obscure driving laws you may not know They must also pass a hazard perception video test with the theory examination. More than two million theory tests are taken each year, with a pass rate of about 45%. What is a defibrillator? The British Heart Foundation (BHF) explained: 'A defibrillator is a device that gives a jolt of energy to the heart. It helps get the heart beating again when someone is in cardiac arrest and their heart has stopped. 'You might also hear it being called a defib, a PAD (public access defibrillator) or an AED (automated external defibrillator).' The BHF added: 'Anyone can use a defibrillator. You do not need training. Once you turn it on, it will give clear step-by-step voice instructions. Recommended reading: 'Many defibrillators also have visual prompts and images showing how to use it. 'The device checks the person's heart rhythm and will only tell you to give them a shock if it's needed. You cannot shock yourself or someone else accidentally.' What to do if someone is in cardiac arrest The BHF has shared some advice for what to do if you see someone in cardiac arrest: 'If someone is in cardiac arrest, call 999 and start CPR. If you're on your own, do not interrupt CPR to go and find a defibrillator. 'If it's possible, send someone else to find one. When you call 999, the operator can tell you if there's a public access defibrillator nearby.'
