First Aid and Emergencies
First aid and emergencies on the road cover what you should do if you're involved in, or come
across, a crash or serious incident. Knowing how to make the scene safe, call for help and give simple first
aid can save lives and reduce the impact of injuries. Understanding basic first aid rules is
useful for the DVSA driving theory test and for
staying safe on real UK roads.
Use this First Aid and Emergencies guide to learn the key rules for learner drivers, see how
they apply in everyday driving, and help you prepare for the UK
car theory test,
motorcycle theory test,
HGV / LGV theory test,
PCV theory test, or
ADI Part 1 DVSA theory test.
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What is first aid on the road?
First aid on the road is the help you can safely give to yourself or others after a crash
or incident, before the emergency services arrive. Annex 7 of the Highway Code explains what to do,
including:
-
Dealing with danger - making the scene as safe as possible for you, passengers and other
road users (for example, switching off engines, using hazard warning lights and keeping people away from
further danger).
-
Calling for help - contacting the emergency services quickly and giving clear
information about the location, number of vehicles and any injuries.
-
Helping those involved - checking for injuries, reassuring casualties and keeping them
warm and comfortable without moving them unless absolutely necessary.
-
Providing basic emergency care - such as opening the airway, checking breathing,
controlling serious bleeding and, if trained, starting CPR until help arrives.
First aid and emergency awareness are part of being a responsible driver or rider. In your theory test, you
may be asked what to do first at the scene of an incident, how to protect other road users and when to call
999 or 112.
Key first aid and emergency rules for learner drivers
As a learner driver or rider, you're not expected to be a medical expert - but you are expected to know the
basic Highway Code guidance on what to do in an emergency. Here are the key first aid and emergency
rules you should know:
-
Deal with danger first. Before helping anyone, check for dangers such as moving
traffic, fire, fuel leaks or unstable vehicles. Do not put yourself or others at risk.
-
Make the scene safe. Switch off engines, switch on hazard warning lights, and if it's
safe, warn approaching traffic. Keep passengers and other people away from the road if you can.
-
Call for help quickly. Dial 999 or 112 for the emergency services. Be
ready to give your exact location, number of vehicles involved and details of injuries.
-
Do not move casualties unless there is immediate danger. Only move someone if there is
a serious and urgent risk (for example, fire, explosion, or if they are in the path of traffic).
-
Check airway and breathing. If a casualty is unconscious, open their airway and check
for normal breathing. If they are breathing, place them in the recovery position if it's safe to do so.
If they are not breathing normally and you have been trained, begin CPR.
-
Control serious bleeding. Apply firm pressure to the wound using a clean cloth or
clothing and keep pressing until help arrives.
-
Keep casualties warm and reassured. Use coats or blankets to keep them warm, talk
calmly to them and keep checking their breathing and response.
-
Do not give casualties anything to eat or drink. This includes alcohol and medicines.
It could make their condition worse or interfere with medical treatment.
-
Gather basic information. If you can, note down details of what happened, vehicle
registrations and witness contact details - but only if it is safe to do so.
These first aid and emergency rules are based on Annex 7 - First aid on the road of the UK
Highway Code, which covers dealing with danger, calling for help and basic emergency care.
Want to see the full Highway Code first aid guidance?
View the Highway Code first aid on the road guidance.
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Basic first aid steps at the scene of a road incident
-
Deal with danger: Make sure you, your passengers and other road users are as safe as
possible. Switch off engines, turn on hazard warning lights and keep people away from traffic and fire
risks if you can.
-
Call for help: Dial 999 or 112 and ask for the ambulance service (and police or fire if
needed). Give clear information about your location, how many vehicles are involved and the number and
condition of casualties.
-
Help those involved: Reassure casualties, keep them still and warm, and only move them
if there is an immediate danger such as fire, explosion or oncoming traffic.
-
Check airway and breathing: If someone is unconscious, open their airway and check for
normal breathing. If you are trained and they are not breathing normally, begin CPR and continue until
professional help takes over.
-
Control serious bleeding: Apply firm, steady pressure to the wound with a clean cloth
or clothing and keep pressing until the bleeding stops or help arrives.
-
Monitor and stay with casualties: Keep checking their breathing and level of response,
keep talking to them calmly and stay with them until the emergency services arrive.
First aid and emergencies in real driving situations
First aid and emergency awareness are not just theory test topics - they're vital skills for everyday
driving. You might need them if you:
- Are involved in a collision, even at low speed, and need to check yourself, your passengers or others
for injury.
- Come across an incident where people are already helping, and you can assist by making the scene safer
or calling for help.
- See a vulnerable road user (such as a pedestrian or cyclist) who has been knocked down and needs urgent
help.
- Need to reassure and support others who are shocked or distressed after an incident.
In your practical driving test, examiners will expect you to drive in a way that reduces the chance of
incidents happening. But as a responsible driver, you should also know the basics of what to do if something
does go wrong.
First aid and emergency questions in the DVSA theory test
First aid and emergency situations appear in the multiple-choice part of the DVSA theory test in several
ways. You may be asked:
- What you should do first when you arrive at the scene of a crash or incident.
- When and how to call the emergency services, and what information they will need from you.
- How to deal with dangers such as leaking fuel, oncoming traffic or fire risks.
- How to help casualties who are unconscious, bleeding, in shock or having difficulty breathing.
- What you should not do, such as giving food or drink to casualties or moving them without a serious
reason.
Explore a sample of the latest DVSA theory test revision questions in Driving Theory 4 All's
theory test questions and answers
section.
Source: Department for Transport (GOV.UK) - The Highway Code. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.