From early 2026, learner drivers in the UK will be tested on vital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills as part of the car and motorcycle theory exam. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) hopes the move will equip more people with the knowledge to act in life-threatening emergencies, particularly as drivers are often first to arrive when someone suffers a cardiac arrest.

The updated test will include questions on CPR techniques and how to use a defibrillator — a device that delivers an electric shock to help restart the heart. Official study materials have already been revised, covering topics such as “Who can use a public access defibrillator?” with the simple answer being “anyone”. Defibrillators are designed to be easy to operate, giving clear instructions so that even untrained bystanders can step in to help.

Evidence shows that if CPR and defibrillation are administered within the first few minutes of collapse, survival rates can reach up to 70%. Without prompt action, that figure falls to fewer than one in ten. The NHS advises delivering firm chest compressions — 5 to 6cm deep at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute — until professional help arrives.

James Cant, chief executive of Resuscitation Council UK, welcomed the change, saying it will ensure millions of new drivers gain the confidence to step in and potentially save lives during a cardiac arrest.