A majority of UK drivers would support regular updates to their road knowledge.

That’s the conclusion of new research by MoneySuperMarket, as sweeping changes to the driving theory test prepare to place greater emphasis on life-saving first aid skills from 2026.

Online refresher tests could be a way forward in encouraging drivers to keep up to date with changes to road laws and regulations.

Ready and willing

The survey highlights a growing appetite among motorists for refresher training, amid concerns that many are failing to keep up with evolving rules and safety guidance.

While the UK’s road network and vehicle technology continue to change, the research suggests driver knowledge is not keeping pace.

According to the findings, 65% of motorists would be willing to take an online refresher theory test, while 48% believe drivers should be required to retake the theory test every few years.

Support is particularly strong among younger drivers, with 83% of those aged 25 to 34 saying they would take part in a refresher course.

Theory and practice

The research also points to a significant gap between awareness and behaviour.

Although 72% of drivers say they would like to be notified when updates are made to the Highway Code, only 44% actively check for those changes themselves, leaving millions potentially unaware of new rules.

This disconnect is becoming increasingly important as the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency DVSA) prepares to expand the theory test from 2026.

New questions will place greater emphasis on first aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), cardiac arrest response and the use of defibrillators.

The changes are designed to improve public safety by ensuring drivers are better prepared to respond in emergencies, recognising that motorists are often first on the scene of road incidents.

However, MoneySuperMarket’s research suggests that many drivers may not yet be ready for this shift.

More than half (52%) were unaware that first aid already forms part of the theory test, while knowledge of key life-saving techniques remains inconsistent.

For example, although 56% of drivers say they feel confident performing CPR, a significant proportion lack understanding of the correct technique, and only 45% say they would feel confident using a defibrillator.

Older wiser?

There are also notable generational differences.

Younger drivers, who have taken more recent versions of the theory test, tend to have stronger first-aid knowledge, while older motorists, particularly those who passed before the introduction of the theory test in 1996, are less likely to be familiar with current guidance.

Despite these gaps, willingness to act in an emergency remains high.

Around 68% of drivers said they would step in to help at the scene of a road incident, even if they were unsure of the correct procedures.

Industry experts say this combination of willingness but limited knowledge underlines the importance of ongoing education.

Alicia Hempsted, a car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said the findings highlight both a challenge and an opportunity.

She noted that driving rules “change often to reflect new technology” and evolving safety research, adding that many motorists would benefit from revisiting their knowledge.

“As the theory test evolves to place greater emphasis on practical safety knowledge, the findings suggest that many existing drivers may benefit from a refresher,” she said.

Evolving roles

The study comes at a time when road safety is increasingly being viewed as a lifelong learning process rather than a one-off test.

With millions of drivers on UK roads having passed their test decades ago, campaigners argue that periodic updates could help ensure standards remain consistent.

As first aid is set to become a more prominent part of driver education starting in 2026, research suggests that many motorists are open to change.

However, significant work is needed to bridge the gap between confidence, competence, and current knowledge.