New 2026 Theory Test Questions on CPR and Defibrillators Announced

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced a significant update to the UK driving theory test, set to take effect in 2026. From this date, learner drivers will face new questions covering Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and, for the first time, the use of defibrillators. The move is a targeted effort by the government to boost cardiac arrest survival rates across the nation.

Why the Change?

Every year, thousands of people in the UK suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The survival rate currently remains stubbornly low, largely because bystanders often lack the confidence or knowledge to intervene before emergency services arrive. By integrating CPR and defibrillator awareness into the theory test, the DVSA hopes to create a new generation of drivers who are not just safe on the road, but equipped to save lives at the roadside or in their communities.

What the New Theory Test Includes

According to official guidance published on GOV.UK, the updated theory test will assess candidates on their understanding of basic life-saving techniques. While the practical driving test has long included a 'tell me' question about basic first aid, the expanded theory test will delve deeper. Candidates will need to demonstrate knowledge of how to perform CPR and where to locate, and safely use, public access defibrillators (PADs).

What This Means for the Independent Garage Sector

While this policy primarily targets learner drivers, it holds a mirror up to the broader automotive industry. Independent garages and MOT test stations are hubs of community activity. Vehicles break down, accidents happen outside workshops, and customers of all ages frequent forecourts and waiting rooms.

As trade professionals, we are often the first on the scene at local roadside incidents, or we have members of the public passing through our premises daily. The DVSA’s focus on first aid highlights a crucial question for our sector: how prepared are our own teams?

The integration of defibrillator knowledge into the theory test also underscores the growing prevalence of these devices in public and commercial spaces. Many larger automotive retailers and service stations already host AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators). For independent garages, this serves as a timely reminder to review our own health and safety protocols.

Keeping up with DVSA standards is part and parcel of running a test station. While MOT standards dictate the roadworthiness of vehicles, the agency's broader commitment to road safety reminds us that human life is the ultimate priority. Workshop managers should use this news as an opportunity to ensure that first aid training is up to date and that staff know exactly what to do in a medical emergency on site.