When people think of car safety features, seatbelts and airbags usually get all the attention. But there's one component that quietly does a vital job and is almost always overlooked, and frequently left badly adjusted: the humble headrest. Properly set, a headrest can be the difference between walking away from a rear-end shunt and suffering a painful neck injury. This guide explains what headrests actually do, how to adjust yours correctly, and why it's a check worth building into your routine, especially as a learner driver.
What Does a Car Headrest Actually Do?
A car headrest, properly called a head restraint, isn't just there for comfort. Its real purpose is to protect your neck in a collision, particularly a rear-end shunt.
When another vehicle hits you from behind, your car is thrown forward, and so is your body, but your head lags behind for a split second before being whipped backward and then forward again. That violent back-and-forth motion is what causes whiplash, straining the muscles and ligaments in your neck. A correctly positioned head restraint limits how far your head can travel backward, supporting it during the impact and dramatically reducing the risk and severity of whiplash. Whiplash is one of the most common injuries in rear-end collisions, and a well-adjusted headrest is your main defence against it.
Why Adjustment Matters More Than You Think
Here's the crucial part: simply having a headrest isn't enough. An incorrectly positioned one offers little protection, and can even make an injury worse by acting as a pivot point for your head. Yet a huge number of drivers never touch theirs, leaving them set too low or too far back.
Getting it right takes about ten seconds:
Height: the top of the headrest should be level with the top of your head, or at the very least level with the top of your ears. Set too low, it can push your head forward in a crash rather than supporting it.
Distance: the gap between the back of your head and the headrest should be as small as comfortably possible, ideally no more than a few centimetres. The closer it is, the sooner it catches your head in an impact, and the less your neck is strained.
Once you've adjusted your seat and steering position, take a moment to set your head restraint too. It's a tiny habit that could save you a genuinely nasty injury.
Headrests and the Cockpit Drill
If you're learning to drive, this isn't just general safety advice, it's part of setting your car up correctly. When you run through the cockpit drill at the start of a drive, checking your head restraint sits alongside adjusting your seat, mirrors and seatbelt.
It can also come up on your driving test. The examiner won't fail you for a headrest alone, but being set up safely and correctly is exactly what they want to see, and the "show me, tell me" safety questions can touch on how you'd make sure the car is set up properly before driving. Building the check into your routine early means it becomes second nature, one less thing to think about on test day.
Are Headrests a Legal Requirement?
Yes. New cars sold in the UK have been required to have front head restraints for decades, under vehicle construction and safety regulations, and they must meet set standards for height, strength and adjustability. Many modern cars now include them for rear seats too. Because they're a required safety feature, a missing or damaged head restraint can also be an issue for your MOT and your car's roadworthiness, so it's not something to remove or ignore.
The headrest is one of the most underrated safety features in your car. Properly called a head restraint, its job is to limit how far your head snaps back in a collision, protecting you from whiplash. But it only works if it's adjusted correctly: the top level with the top of your head, and the gap behind your head as small as comfortable. For learner drivers, checking it is part of the cockpit drill and good practice for your test. It takes seconds to set, and it could spare you a painful injury, so the next time you get in the car, give your headrest the attention it deserves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times will I have to pull over on my driving test?
You can expect to pull over on the left at least twice during your test, in different conditions such as a normal stop, pulling out from behind a parked vehicle, and a hill start. The examiner will ask you to pull over "when it's safe to do so."
Where am I not allowed to pull over?
Avoid stopping within 10 metres of a junction, next to a bus stop, in a cycle lane, on double yellow lines, opposite another parked vehicle, or across a driveway. Near schools and on bends, take extra care. Your spot must be safe, legal and convenient.
How close to the kerb should I be when I pull over?
Aim to finish parallel to the kerb and close to it, roughly 20 to 30 cm away, without mounting it. Approaching at a shallow angle rather than steering sharply makes it much easier to end up straight and correctly positioned.
How do I move off without stalling?
Take your time rather than rushing. After your mirror and blind spot checks, bring the clutch gently to the biting point while applying light accelerator, then ease off the clutch smoothly as you release the handbrake. Rushing is the most common cause of stalling when moving off.
How do I do a hill start without rolling back?
Bring the clutch to the biting point and apply a little more accelerator than on the flat, then release the handbrake only once you feel the car is ready to pull away. This holds the car steady so it doesn't roll back, and stops you over-revving.
Ready to Master the Basics?
Pulling over, moving off and hill starts all get easier with practice alongside a professional instructor. Find your local DRIVE instructor and book your lessons today.