New theory test questions aim to boost cardiac arrest survival rate
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Driving theory tests will include enhanced first aid questions from
autumn 2025, building on existing first aid content that has been
part of driver education for years. The Driver and Vehicle
Standards Agency (DVSA) is expanding the theory test question bank
to: include enhanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
content add questions about automated external defibrillators
(AEDs) for the first time The move aims to address the UK's low
cardiac arrest...Request free trial
Driving theory tests will include enhanced first aid questions from autumn 2025, building on existing first aid content that has been part of driver education for years. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is expanding the theory test question bank to:
The move aims to address the UK's low cardiac arrest survival rates by making sure more people know how to respond in emergencies. Cardiac arrest: what it is A cardiac arrest is when your heart suddenly stops pumping blood around your body. They can be caused by:
Signs and symptoms that suggest a person has gone into cardiac arrest include:
If you think somebody has gone into cardiac arrest Call 999 (on speakerphone) immediately and start doing CPR. If there is someone with you, ask them to find an AED and use it as soon as you can. About the theory test 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:
You must pass both parts to pass the overall test. The changes involve no additional cost, test time, or difficulty - they simply update existing first aid content with current best practice. Find out more about how the theory test works. 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. Why drivers need these life-saving skills 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. 40,000+out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the UK each year. However, when CPR is given and an AED used within 3 to 5 minutes of collapse, survival rates can reach 70%. 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:
What learners will study From autumn 2025, car and motorcycle theory test candidates will need to familiarise themselves with:
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:
Updates to motorcycle publications will follow soon. Example questions 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?
Who can use a public access defibrillator (AED)?
Other learning resources Learner drivers can access free training resources, including guides on how to do CPR and use defibrillators. These have been created by the Resuscitation Councils from across Great Britain. How to do CPR and use defribillators from Resuscitation Council UK. Partnership behind the change The programme represents collaboration between DVSA and leading organisations including Save a Life programmes in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, plus Resuscitation Council UK. Len Nokes, Chair of Save a Life Cymru, whose daughter Claire died from complications following cardiac arrest in 2017, said: When Claire had her cardiac arrest, some knowledge of CPR might have made a difference. We hope that by making CPR and defibrillator use part of the theory test, we will significantly increase the number of people with this life-saving awareness. 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, 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. Supporting government priorities The initiative supports the government's Plan for Change commitment to build an NHS fit for the future in England by reducing preventable deaths. When someone has a cardiac arrest, every minute counts. Quick action by bystanders before ambulance crews arrive can be the difference between life and death. By restoring blood flow and oxygen to vital organs faster, immediate CPR and defibrillation can prevent organ failure and brain damage. This means survivors are less likely to need long-term rehabilitation, social care or permanent disability support. This reduces demand on NHS resources and helps ease pressure on health services. Currently, public-access defibrillators are used in fewer than 10% of cardiac arrests, partly due to lack of public awareness and confidence in using them. Training millions of new drivers will give more people the skills and confidence to act in those vital first minutes. This could significantly increase survival rates and potentially save thousands of lives each year. |