Midlands Air Ambulance Charity Celebrates New CPR and Defibrillator Questions in Driving Theory Tests

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has welcomed the announcement that, from early 2026, driving theory tests will include for the first time questions on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of defibrillators, marking a significant step forward in improving cardiac arrest survival rates across the UK. 

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is expanding the theory test question bank to include questions about CPR and automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The move aims to address the UK’s low out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates by ensuring more people have the knowledge and confidence to act in an emergency.

 As a charity delivering advanced pre-hospital critical care across the region, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity regularly attends serious road traffic collisions and medical emergencies where members of the public were the first on scene. 

More than 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the UK each year, yet fewer than one in ten people currently survive. However, when CPR is started and a defibrillator is used within three to five minutes of collapse, survival rates can increase to as much as 70%. Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces a casualty’s chance of survival by up to 10%, making immediate bystander intervention vital while emergency services are on their way. 

Drivers are often in a unique position to help. They may be first to arrive at road traffic incidents, where cardiac arrest can occur as a result of trauma or shock, or where a driver experiencing a cardiac arrest has  a collision. Drivers can also encounter medical emergencies at roadside locations such as bus stops, service stations, petrol stations and car parks, or come across pedestrians, joggers or elderly members of the public who have collapsed in public spaces. 

Stephen Mason, critical care paramedic for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said:

“When someone has a cardiac arrest, every minute counts. The actions taken by bystanders before ambulance crews arrive can be the difference between life and death. Drivers are often among the first people on scene at incidents on our roads and in public places, so equipping them with CPR and defibrillator knowledge is a hugely positive step. 

“Early CPR and defibrillation restore blood flow and oxygen to vital organs, reducing the risk of brain damage and organ failure. This not only saves lives but also means survivors are less likely to need long-term rehabilitation or ongoing care. From both a patient and healthcare perspective, that early intervention is absolutely critical.” 

Currently, public-access defibrillators are used in fewer than 10% of cardiac arrests, often due to a lack of public awareness and confidence. By training millions of new drivers through the theory test, far more people will have the skills and reassurance needed to act decisively in those vital first moments. 

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity believes that improving CPR and defibrillator awareness among drivers could significantly increase survival rates and has the potential to save thousands of lives each year. 

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is also offering 50% off its Lifesaver CPR and defibrillator training to 1,000 supporters, helping equip more people with essential lifesaving skills and improve confidence in emergency situations.

Supporters can secure their discounted place by visiting midlandsairambulance.com/education/first-aid-courses/Lifesaver-Cosford and entering the code LIFESAVER at checkout. 

To find out more about Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s vital, lifesaving work in your local area visit midlandsairambulance.com and follow the organisation on social media.