Driver trainees will undergo CPR skill assessments in a revised theory examination process
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced a significant update to the theory test for learner drivers in the UK. From autumn 2025, candidates will be required to learn correct CPR techniques and how to operate automated external defibrillators (AEDs) as part of their theory exam.
This change builds on existing first aid education in driving materials and reflects the fact that drivers frequently are among the first people at emergency scenes, such as road collisions or sudden cardiac arrests in public places.
The update will not increase the test time or cost but will modernize and improve first aid content to reflect current best practices. Free training resources from the Resuscitation Councils UK are also made available to support this learning.
Professor Len Nokes, chairman of the Welsh Government-funded Save a Life Cymru scheme, supports the change due to the loss of his daughter, Claire, from complications after a cardiac arrest. He believes that equipping new drivers with life-saving skills can dramatically improve cardiac arrest survival rates.
In addition to multiple-choice questions, learners must also pass a hazard perception video test. Candidates are required to score at least 43 out of 50 on the multiple-choice questions, which cover topics like road signs, traffic laws, vehicle safety, and first aid.
Mark Winn, chief driving examiner of the DVSA, believes that knowing what to do in an emergency is part of being a safe and responsible driver. He hopes that making CPR and defibrillator use part of the test will significantly increase the number of people with life-saving awareness.
More than 40,000 people in the UK suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year, with fewer than one in ten making it through. Research conducted by Resuscitation Council UK states that survival rates can reach up to 70% if CPR is administered and a defibrillator is used within three to five minutes of collapse.
James Cant, chief executive of the charity Resuscitation Council UK, supports this change, believing it will help more people gain the knowledge and confidence to act during a cardiac arrest. He emphasises that motorists are often the first responders in such cases, making it crucial for them to be trained in CPR and defibrillator use.
In summary, the significance of this update lies in transforming learner drivers into not just safe road users but also potential first responders capable of saving lives in cardiac emergencies.
- With the introduction of CPR techniques and AED operation as part of the theory test, driver candidates will not only be prepared for road safety but also equipped with health-and-wellness skills that could potentially save lives in cardiac emergencies.
- In light of the importance placed on first aid education by organizations like the Resuscitation Council UK, it becomes essential to advocate for insurance policies that cover the cost of CPR and AED training for new drivers, enabling them to effectively respond to sudden cardiac arrests in public places.
