Latest news with #JamesCant
Daily Mirror
18 hours ago
- Health
- 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.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Tricky new questions learner drivers will need to answer in theory test
The Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency has announced that driver theory test will include questions on CPR and defibrillators for the first time starting next year Learner drivers are set for a shake-up in their theory tests from next year, with the introduction of new first aid questions. The fresh questions will focus on enhanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AEDs), building on existing first aid content that has been part of driver education for years. The Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) hopes this move will help increase survival rates from cardiac arrests. In a post on X, the government agency announced: "DVSA is proud to introduce CPR and defibrillator questions to theory tests. "There are over 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests yearly – would you know how to help?" In other related news, UK drivers are warned over 'avoiding' road instead of having to follow new rule. Starting from autumn 2025, those taking car and motorcycle theory tests will need to get to grips with these new topics: CPR techniques, including proper hand placement and compression rates How to use automated external defibrillators These questions will be added to other theory test types at a later date. This knowledge builds on existing first aid content in driving education materials. Official DVSA learning guides for car drivers have already been updated with improved information about these life-saving techniques. This initiative is part of a collaboration between the DVSA and leading organisations including Save a Life programmes in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, plus the Resuscitation Council UK. James Cant, chief executive officer of Resuscitation Council UK, said: "By embedding these life-saving skills into such a widely taken assessment, we can help ensure that more people gain the knowledge and confidence to act during a cardiac arrest." Mark Winn, DVSA chief driving examiner, added: "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." Warning signs indicating someone has suffered a cardiac arrest include: The person appears not to be breathing The person is not moving The person is not responding to any stimulation, such as being touched or spoken to READ MORE: DVLA driving licence changes: Everything we know on 'biggest change in decades' Motorists frequently arrive first when someone experiences cardiac arrest, reports the Daily Record. Statistics from Resuscitation Council UK reveal over 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen across the UK annually, yet less than 1 in 10 victims currently survive. Nevertheless, when CPR is administered and an AED deployed within 3 to 5 minutes of collapse, survival chances can soar to 70 per cent. Each minute without CPR and defibrillation cuts survival odds by up to 10%, making swift bystander action vital whilst awaiting paramedics. Typical situations where motorists might require CPR knowledge encompass traffic collisions, roadside emergencies and service station incidents. The fresh questions will assess practical understanding that could preserve lives. Examples include: An adult casualty is not breathing. To maintain circulation, CPR should be given. What's the correct depth to press down on their chest? 1 to 2 centimetres 5 to 6 centimetres (correct answer) 10 to 15 centimetres 15 to 20 centimetres Who can use a public access defib rillator (AED)? Paramedics only First aiders only Doctors only Everyone (correct answer) The driving theory test, a prerequisite for learner drivers before they can book their practical driving test, is composed of two parts. It includes 50 multiple choice questions from a pool of over 700, covering topics ranging from road signs and vehicle safety to hazard awareness, with a pass mark of 43 out of 50. Additionally, it features a hazard perception segment in the form of a video test about identifying hazards on the road. Both sections must be passed to succeed in the overall test. According to the DVSA, approximately 2.4 million theory tests are taken annually, with a pass rate of 45.7% between July and September 2024. This implies that each year, hundreds of thousands of individuals will acquire knowledge of life-saving skills through the enhanced questions.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Learner drivers will answer new questions in theory test from 2026
From next year, driving theory tests will include new CPR questions and, for the first time, questions about defibrillators. Learner drivers will face some new questions in their theory tests from next year, it has been announced. The questions will be enhanced first aid questions building on existing first aid content that has been part of driver education for years. Those sitting the test will now study content on enhanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and on automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for the first time. The Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) hopes it will boost cardiac arrest survival rates. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the government agency said: "DVSA is proud to introduce CPR and defibrillator questions to theory tests. There are over 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests yearly – would you know how to help? From autumn 2025, car and motorcycle theory test candidates will need to familiarise themselves with: CPR techniques including proper hand placement and compression rates how to use automated external defibrillators The questions will be added to other theory test types later. The knowledge builds on existing first aid content in driving education materials. Official DVSA learning guides for car drivers have already been updated with improved information about these life-saving techniques. The enhanced questions is part of a collaboration between DVSA and leading organisations including Save a Life programmes in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, plus Resuscitation Council UK. James Cant, Chief Executive Officer of Resuscitation Council UK, said: "By embedding these life-saving skills into such a widely taken assessment, we can help ensure that more people gain the knowledge and confidence to act during a cardiac arrest." Mark Winn, DVSA Chief Driving Examiner, added: "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." Signs and symptoms that suggest a person has gone into cardiac arrest include: they appear not to be breathing they're not moving they do not respond to any stimulation, such as being touched or spoken to Drivers are often first on the scene when someone suffers a cardiac arrest. Data from Resuscitation Council UK shows more than 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the UK each year, but fewer than 1 in 10 people currently survive. However, when CPR is given and an AED used within 3 to 5 minutes of collapse, survival rates can reach 70 per cent. Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by up to 10%, making immediate bystander intervention crucial while waiting for emergency services. Common scenarios where drivers might need CPR skills include road traffic accidents, roadside emergencies and service area incidents. The new questions will test practical knowledge that could save lives. Examples include: An adult casualty is not breathing. To maintain circulation, CPR should be given. What's the correct depth to press down on their chest? 1 to 2 centimetres 5 to 6 centimetres (correct answer) 10 to 15 centimetres 15 to 20 centimetres Who can use a public access defibrillator (AED)? Paramedics only First aiders only Doctors only Everyone (correct answer) The driving theory test is taken by learner drivers before they can book their driving test. The test has 2 parts that are booked and taken together. It includes 50 multiple choice questions from a bank of more than 700 covering topics from road signs and vehicle safety to hazard awareness. The pass rate is 43 out of 50 correct. It also includes hazard perception in the form of a video test about spotting hazards on the road. Both parts must be passed to pass the overall test. The DVSA said around 2.4 million theory tests are taken each year, with a pass rate of 45.7% between July and September 2024. This means that hundreds of thousands of people annually will gain knowledge of life-saving skills through the enhanced questions.
