Safety Equipment

Seat belts, child safety seats, airbags, headlights, mirrors and the equipment a vehicle must have to be road legal.

50 practice questions with answers. These rules are the same in every state.

Safety Equipment quiz

Answer at your own pace. After each question you see the correct answer and why, and at the end a review of what you missed.

Quick quiz: 10 random questions on safety equipment; pass with 8 correct.

Safety Equipment questions with answers

How should a lap and shoulder belt be positioned?
1. Lap belt low across the hips and shoulder belt across the chest and collarbone
2. Lap belt across the stomach and shoulder belt tucked underneath the outer arm
3. Shoulder belt tucked behind the back for comfort, with the lap belt snug
4. Lap belt left deliberately loose so that it does not press against the body at all
Show answer

Answer A: Lap belt low across the hips and shoulder belt across the chest and collarbone

The lap belt must bear against the strong pelvic bones rather than soft organs, and the shoulder belt must cross the rib cage and collarbone so crash forces spread over the skeleton.
What is the correct relationship between air bags and seat belts?
1. Air bags replace the need for seat belts in any vehicle fitted with them
2. Air bags are designed to work together with seat belts, not instead of them
3. Seat belts are only needed by occupants who have no air bag in front of them
4. Air bags protect occupants in every type of crash, from any direction
Show answer

Answer B: Air bags are designed to work together with seat belts, not instead of them

An air bag is a supplemental restraint that cushions one impact, while the belt keeps you in position so the bag can work and protects you in rollovers and secondary impacts.

Source: nhtsa.gov
What is the recommended minimum distance between the driver's breastbone and the center of the steering wheel air bag cover?
1. About 2 inches
2. About 5 inches
3. About 10 inches
4. About 24 inches
Show answer

Answer C: About 10 inches

An air bag inflates extremely fast, and keeping that much space lets it deploy fully before it reaches the driver, which is why the seat should be moved back as far as still allows comfortable control of the pedals.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Where is the safest place for children under 13 to ride?
1. In the front passenger seat with the belt fastened
2. Wherever there is the most legroom
3. In the back seat
4. In the front seat whenever the air bag can be switched off
Show answer

Answer C: In the back seat

The back seat keeps children away from the force of a deploying front air bag and is farther from the most common impact area, which is why it is recommended through at least age 12.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Which practice matches current child passenger safety guidance?
1. Turn the seat forward as soon as the child is able to sit up without help
2. Place a rear facing seat in the front, directly in front of an active passenger air bag
3. Move a child on to an adult belt as soon as the booster seat starts to feel tight
4. Keep a child rear facing until the top height or weight limit of the seat is reached
Show answer

Answer D: Keep a child rear facing until the top height or weight limit of the seat is reached

A rear facing seat spreads crash forces across the child's whole back, so it should be used as long as the seat allows, and never in front of an active passenger air bag.

Source: nhtsa.gov
How should a head restraint be adjusted?
1. As low as it will go, so that it does not block the view behind
2. Removed entirely so that you have a much better view through the rear window
3. Tilted as far forward as it will move, so that it touches the head
4. So the top is at least as high as the back of your head and close behind it
Show answer

Answer D: So the top is at least as high as the back of your head and close behind it

A restraint set at head height and close behind limits how far the head snaps backward in a rear impact, which is what reduces neck injury.
At what tread depth should a tire be replaced?
1. When the tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch
2. When the tread has lost half of its original depth
3. Only when the cords become visible
4. Only after 100,000 miles of use
Show answer

Answer A: When the tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch

At that depth a tire loses grip quickly, especially on wet roads, and the built in wear bars or the penny test both show when the point has been reached.

Source: nhtsa.gov
How should tire pressure be checked and set?
1. When the tires are hot after driving, set to the maximum shown on the sidewall
2. When the tires are cold, set to the pressure specified by the vehicle manufacturer
3. By eye, since a low tire always looks flat
4. Once a year at the annual service
Show answer

Answer B: When the tires are cold, set to the pressure specified by the vehicle manufacturer

Driving heats the air and raises the reading, and the sidewall number is a maximum rather than a recommendation, so check cold and use the figure on the vehicle placard or in the owner's manual.

Source: nhtsa.gov
What is the proper use of the horn?
1. To express annoyance with other drivers who are holding you up
2. To hurry along a driver who is waiting for pedestrians to finish crossing
3. To give a brief warning when another road user may not have seen you
4. To greet people you recognize on the street as you drive past them
Show answer

Answer C: To give a brief warning when another road user may not have seen you

The horn is a warning device meant to alert someone to your presence when a collision is possible, and using it in anger tends to escalate conflict rather than prevent crashes.
How should a pregnant driver or passenger wear a seat belt?
1. Lap belt below the belly across the hips, shoulder belt across the chest
2. Lap belt placed over the middle of the belly, with the shoulder belt tucked behind the back
3. Shoulder belt only, because the lap belt could harm the baby
4. No belt at all after the sixth month, to avoid pressure in a crash
Show answer

Answer A: Lap belt below the belly across the hips, shoulder belt across the chest

A properly worn belt protects both mother and baby. The lap portion goes low under the belly, snug across the hip bones, and the shoulder belt crosses between the breasts.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Why should the shoulder belt never be worn under the arm or behind the back?
1. It would stop the air bag from inflating
2. It would stop the lap belt from locking and would trigger the belt warning permanently
3. In a crash it could not hold your upper body and could cause severe injury
4. It would trigger the seat belt warning light continuously
Show answer

Answer C: In a crash it could not hold your upper body and could cause severe injury

The shoulder belt restrains your chest and head. Placed under the arm it concentrates crash force on the ribs and organs; behind the back it does nothing at all.

Source: nhtsa.gov
When is a child ready to use a vehicle seat belt without a booster seat?
1. When the lap belt lies across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt crosses the chest
2. When the child is old enough to start elementary school
3. When the child can fasten and unfasten the buckle alone
4. As soon as the child weighs more than the booster seat's minimum weight shown on the label
Show answer

Answer A: When the lap belt lies across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt crosses the chest

Belt fit, not age, decides readiness. Until the child is tall enough for the lap belt to sit on the thighs and the shoulder belt on the chest, a booster is needed.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Where should a rear-facing infant seat never be placed?
1. In the center position of the back seat of a large vehicle
2. In the back seat of a two-door vehicle
3. In a front seat with an active passenger air bag
4. In a seat that has a lap and shoulder belt
Show answer

Answer C: In a front seat with an active passenger air bag

A deploying front air bag strikes the back of a rear-facing seat with enormous force. Rear-facing seats belong in the back seat.

Source: nhtsa.gov
You notice a bulge on the sidewall of one of your tires. What should you do?
1. Add air until the bulge disappears
2. Ignore it as long as the tread depth is still fine
3. Drive only at low speed until the tire has worn out in the normal way and then replace it
4. Have the tire replaced before driving far, because it could blow out
Show answer

Answer D: Have the tire replaced before driving far, because it could blow out

A sidewall bulge means the internal cords have broken and only the rubber is holding the air. The tire can fail suddenly at any speed.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Your vehicle has daytime running lights. Why should you still switch on the headlights at dusk?
1. Daytime running lights switch themselves off automatically as soon as the sun goes down, leaving you dark
2. Daytime running lights usually do not light the tail lights, so you are hard to see from behind
3. Daytime running lights use the high beam and would dazzle oncoming drivers
4. Daytime running lights only work while the vehicle is moving faster than 20 mph
Show answer

Answer B: Daytime running lights usually do not light the tail lights, so you are hard to see from behind

On many vehicles the daytime running lights illuminate only the front. Without the headlight switch on, the rear of the vehicle stays dark and the dash may still look lit.
Study tip. Rule out the options you know are wrong first. Two plausible answers are easier to choose between than four.
The red oil pressure warning light comes on while you are driving. What should you do?
1. Keep driving to the next service station, since it just means the oil is due for a change
2. Increase engine speed so the oil pump builds pressure again
3. Pull over safely as soon as possible and shut off the engine
4. Turn off the air conditioning and continue at a lower speed
Show answer

Answer C: Pull over safely as soon as possible and shut off the engine

Loss of oil pressure means the engine is no longer being lubricated and can be destroyed within minutes. Stop, shut down and check before restarting.
The brake warning light stays on even though the parking brake is fully released. What does it indicate?
1. The brake pads have been recently replaced and need to bed in
2. A possible brake system problem, so have the brakes checked promptly
3. The brake lights at the rear of the vehicle have burned out and must be replaced
4. The antilock system is switched off for the current trip
Show answer

Answer B: A possible brake system problem, so have the brakes checked promptly

The brake warning light also signals low brake fluid or a failure in one part of the hydraulic system. Do not ignore it, because braking may be reduced.
The passenger-side mirror on most vehicles is convex. What does this mean for the driver?
1. Vehicles in that mirror are farther away than they appear
2. The mirror shows only the lane directly beside the vehicle
3. The mirror shows objects at their true distance but reversed
4. Vehicles in that mirror are closer than they appear
Show answer

Answer D: Vehicles in that mirror are closer than they appear

A convex mirror gives a wider view but shrinks what it shows, so a vehicle looks smaller and therefore farther away than it really is. Allow for this before changing lanes.
You have fitted the small temporary spare tire after a flat. What should you keep in mind?
1. It can be used exactly like a normal tire for as long as its tread remains above the wear bars
2. It must be inflated to a much lower pressure than a normal tire
3. It is meant for low speed and short distances until the regular tire is repaired
4. It should only be fitted on a front wheel of the vehicle
Show answer

Answer C: It is meant for low speed and short distances until the regular tire is repaired

Compact spares have limited grip, handling and durability. Follow the speed and distance limits printed on the tire and get the regular tire fixed soon.

Source: nhtsa.gov
How can you tell that a child safety seat is installed tightly enough?
1. It can be lifted slightly off the seat cushion with light pressure and settles back
2. It moves no more than three inches when you push it
3. It moves less than an inch side to side or front to back at the belt path
4. It tilts forward when the vehicle brakes normally
Show answer

Answer C: It moves less than an inch side to side or front to back at the belt path

A correctly installed seat is nearly immovable where the belt or lower anchors pass through it. Excess movement lets the child's body travel farther in a crash.

Source: nhtsa.gov
You feel dizzy and get a headache while driving with the windows closed. What could be the cause and what should you do?
1. Low tire pressure making the ride rough and noisy, so check all four tires at the next service station stop
2. The air conditioner running too cold, so turn it off and keep driving
3. Eye strain from the windshield, so clean it at the next stop
4. An exhaust leak letting carbon monoxide into the cabin, so open the windows and stop to get fresh air
Show answer

Answer D: An exhaust leak letting carbon monoxide into the cabin, so open the windows and stop to get fresh air

Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, and headache, dizziness and drowsiness are early signs. Get fresh air at once and have the exhaust system inspected.
How does a lap and shoulder belt protect you in a crash?
1. It allows you to be thrown clear of the wreck before the vehicle settles
2. It holds you to the seat and spreads the force over the strong bones
3. It keeps the airbag away from you at the moment when the airbag inflates
4. It stops the body of the vehicle from crushing on the side where you sit
Show answer

Answer B: It holds you to the seat and spreads the force over the strong bones

The belt keeps you with the vehicle as it slows and puts the load on the hips and the chest rather than on soft tissue.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Why is being thrown out of a vehicle in a crash so dangerous?
1. Because the insurance company will not pay a claim if you were thrown out
2. Because the airbags keep inflating for as long as a seat is left empty
3. Because you strike the road or other objects at high speed, and rarely survive
4. Because the vehicle usually catches fire once a person has been thrown out
Show answer

Answer C: Because you strike the road or other objects at high speed, and rarely survive

Ejection is one of the deadliest outcomes of a crash, and a fastened belt is what keeps a person inside the vehicle.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Where should the lap part of the seat belt sit?
1. Loose across the waist, so that you can move about while you are driving
2. Under the arm rest, so that it cannot ride upwards during a hard stop
3. Low and snug across the hips, touching the tops of both of the thighs
4. Across the softest part of the stomach, well above the two hip bones
Show answer

Answer C: Low and snug across the hips, touching the tops of both of the thighs

The hip bones can take crash forces, but the abdomen cannot, so the lap belt goes low and tight across the hips.

Source: nhtsa.gov
You find that your shoulder belt has some slack in it. Why does that matter?
1. The belt warning chime will keep on sounding for the whole of the trip
2. The belt will lock permanently and you will not be able to move in the seat
3. The airbag will be unable to inflate at all while the belt is not tight
4. You travel further before the belt restrains you, so injuries are worse
Show answer

Answer D: You travel further before the belt restrains you, so injuries are worse

Slack lets your body build up speed before the belt takes hold, which increases the forces on you and the risk of hitting the interior.

Source: nhtsa.gov
A short driver cannot get ten inches between the chest and the steering wheel airbag. What is the answer?
1. Lean back and steer with both of the arms fully straight for the whole trip
2. Have the airbag switched off, which any driver is entitled to do at any time
3. Sit on a firm cushion so that the chest is above the airbag when it fires
4. Move the seat back and tilt the wheel downward, or fit pedal extenders
Show answer

Answer D: Move the seat back and tilt the wheel downward, or fit pedal extenders

Distance from the airbag is gained by moving the seat back and aiming the wheel at the chest, using pedal extenders if the pedals are then out of reach.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Why does safety guidance say a child should ride in the back seat rather than in front of an active passenger airbag?
1. Because the child would not be able to see the road ahead from that seat
2. Because the seat belt in the front is designed only for adult passengers
3. Because the airbag will not inflate at all when a child is sitting there
4. Because the airbag inflates with enough force to injure a small child badly
Show answer

Answer D: Because the airbag inflates with enough force to injure a small child badly

Airbags deploy at very high speed and are sized for adults, so a child seated close to one can be badly hurt by the bag itself, which is why the back seat is recommended for children.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Your car has side curtain airbags. What should you avoid doing?
1. Adjusting the head restraint to the top of the ears when seated
2. Resting your head against the window or the door pillar
3. Sitting with the seat belt fastened over the shoulder as usual
4. Carrying passengers in the outer rear seats on a long journey
Show answer

Answer B: Resting your head against the window or the door pillar

A side airbag deploys from the pillar or roof rail, so a head leaning against that area is directly in its path.

Source: nhtsa.gov
What is true about an airbag once it has inflated in a crash?
1. It shows that the seat belts in the car no longer need to be replaced
2. It must be replaced by a technician before the car is driven any further
3. It reinflates by itself and will protect you again in a second impact
4. It can be folded back into its housing and used again just as before
Show answer

Answer B: It must be replaced by a technician before the car is driven any further

An airbag is a single use device, and the module and often the belts must be replaced before the vehicle protects anyone again.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Besides its height, what else matters about a head restraint?
1. That it can be removed easily to give the rear passengers a view
2. That it is set as high as it will go, the same for every driver
3. That it is close to the back of the head, and not far behind it
4. That it is padded enough to be comfortable on a long journey
Show answer

Answer C: That it is close to the back of the head, and not far behind it

A restraint that sits far behind the head lets the head snap back before it is caught, so a small gap is important.

Source: nhtsa.gov
What injury does a correctly set head restraint help prevent?
1. A neck injury of the kind caused when your vehicle is struck from behind
2. A broken collarbone caused by the shoulder belt during a crash
3. A head injury from the windshield in a hard frontal collision
4. A back injury caused by sitting for too long at the wheel
Show answer

Answer A: A neck injury of the kind caused when your vehicle is struck from behind

In a rear impact the body is pushed forward and the head restraint stops the head from whipping backward.

Source: nhtsa.gov
How long should a young child ride in a rear-facing child seat?
1. Until the first birthday, whatever the size of the child at that time
2. Until the child is able to sit upright without any help from an adult
3. Until the child is tall enough to see out of the window when seated
4. Until the child outgrows the height or the weight limit of the seat
Show answer

Answer D: Until the child outgrows the height or the weight limit of the seat

Rear facing is the safest position and should be kept until the child reaches the top height or weight allowed by the seat.

Source: nhtsa.gov
A child has outgrown the rear-facing seat. What comes next?
1. A booster seat used together with the adult lap and shoulder belt
2. The adult belt on its own, with the shoulder part behind the back
3. The front passenger seat, with the airbag left switched on as usual
4. A forward-facing seat with a harness, used up to its own stated limits
Show answer

Answer D: A forward-facing seat with a harness, used up to its own stated limits

The stages run rear facing, then forward facing with a harness, then a booster, then the adult belt alone.

Source: nhtsa.gov
What does a booster seat do for a child?
1. It lets a child ride safely in the front seat of any vehicle at all
2. It lifts the child so that the adult belt crosses hips and shoulder
3. It holds the child in place using its own five point harness straps
4. It removes the need for the child to wear any kind of belt at all
Show answer

Answer B: It lifts the child so that the adult belt crosses hips and shoulder

A booster raises the child so the adult belt lies on the strong parts of the body instead of the neck and the abdomen.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Where is the best place in the car for a child safety seat?
1. In the rear seat, secured either with the belt or with the lower anchors
2. In the front seat, where the driver can watch the child more easily
3. In whichever seat has the most room for the child to stretch out
4. In any seat at all, as long as the harness straps are pulled tight
Show answer

Answer A: In the rear seat, secured either with the belt or with the lower anchors

The rear seat is furthest from most impacts and from the front airbags, and the seat must be locked in with the belt or the anchors.

Source: nhtsa.gov
A child seat was in the car during a moderate crash. What should be done with it?
1. Replace it, because a seat that has been through a crash may be weakened
2. Keep on using it if the shell shows no cracks after a careful inspection
3. Wash the cover and tighten all the straps, which restores its strength
4. Use it only for a heavier child from now on, and never for a small baby
Show answer

Answer A: Replace it, because a seat that has been through a crash may be weakened

Crash forces can damage a seat in ways you cannot see, so a seat involved in anything but the mildest crash is replaced.

Source: nhtsa.gov
What is the safe way to carry a dog in a car?
1. Loose in the back seat, so that it can move and settle comfortably
2. In the open trunk of the vehicle, where it has plenty of fresh air
3. In a secured crate, or in a harness attached to a seat belt anchor
4. On the lap of the front passenger, held firmly throughout the trip
Show answer

Answer C: In a secured crate, or in a harness attached to a seat belt anchor

An unrestrained animal distracts the driver and becomes a heavy projectile in a crash, so it should be crated or harnessed.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Why should heavy objects in the passenger compartment be secured?
1. Because loose objects fly forward in a crash and can injure the people
2. Because the suspension of the vehicle wears out very much more quickly
3. Because the load will shift the headlight beams upward when on a hill
4. Because the fuel consumption of the vehicle rises with any loose cargo
Show answer

Answer A: Because loose objects fly forward in a crash and can injure the people

Anything loose keeps traveling at the speed of the vehicle when the vehicle stops, so it strikes the occupants with great force.

Source: nhtsa.gov
You have strapped luggage to the roof rack for a long trip. What should you expect?
1. The vehicle handles as it always does, since the roof carries little weight
2. Better stability in crosswinds, because the load presses the roof downward
3. Shorter braking distances, because the extra weight loads the front tires
4. A higher center of gravity, so take the curves and lane changes gently
Show answer

Answer D: A higher center of gravity, so take the curves and lane changes gently

Weight on the roof raises the center of gravity and makes the vehicle lean and respond more slowly to steering.

Source: nhtsa.gov
What does a tire with worn tread do on a wet road?
1. It steers more sharply, which makes the vehicle easier to control
2. It loses grip and it hydroplanes at a lower speed than a good tire
3. It grips better, because more rubber is touching the road surface
4. It heats up less, so that the risk of a blowout is actually reduced
Show answer

Answer B: It loses grip and it hydroplanes at a lower speed than a good tire

Tread grooves carry water away from the contact patch, and a worn tire cannot do that, so it floats on the water sooner.

Source: nhtsa.gov
What happens when tires are driven underinflated for a long time?
1. They wear only in the middle of the tread and last very much longer
2. They give a shorter stopping distance on dry roads than usual tires
3. They make the steering lighter without any other effect on the tire
4. They wear at the edges, they run hot and they are more likely to fail
Show answer

Answer D: They wear at the edges, they run hot and they are more likely to fail

An underinflated tire flexes too much, which wears the shoulders and builds up heat that can destroy the tire.

Source: nhtsa.gov
How often should the spare tire be checked?
1. Never, since a spare is sealed at the factory and holds its air
2. Once in the life of the car, at the very first scheduled service
3. Regularly, because a spare loses pressure while it sits unused
4. Only after a flat tire has actually happened out on the road
Show answer

Answer C: Regularly, because a spare loses pressure while it sits unused

Spares lose air slowly over months, and a flat spare is useless at the moment you need it.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Your wiper blades smear the windshield instead of clearing it. What should you do?
1. Drive with the side window open and look through that opening instead
2. Set the wipers to their fastest speed, which will stop the smearing
3. Replace the blades, because smearing means that the rubber is worn
4. Use the washer more often, which makes worn blades work well again
Show answer

Answer C: Replace the blades, because smearing means that the rubber is worn

Worn or hardened rubber cannot wipe cleanly, and blades are cheap compared with driving without a clear view.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Why should the washer reservoir hold proper washer fluid rather than plain water in winter?
1. Water is heavier and it reduces the fuel economy of the vehicle
2. Water damages the paint of the hood every time the washer is used
3. Water sets off the low fluid warning light on the instrument panel
4. Water freezes and it leaves you with no way at all to clean the glass
Show answer

Answer D: Water freezes and it leaves you with no way at all to clean the glass

Washer fluid contains antifreeze, so it still works in the cold, whereas water freezes in the reservoir and the lines.

Source: nhtsa.gov
You have fitted small convex blind spot mirrors to the door mirrors. What is true of them?
1. They help a good deal, but you should still look over your shoulder as well
2. You no longer need to glance over your shoulder before changing lanes
3. They show distances truly, so judging a gap becomes very much easier
4. They replace the inside mirror, which can now be left unadjusted
Show answer

Answer A: They help a good deal, but you should still look over your shoulder as well

Add-on mirrors reduce but do not remove the blind spot, and they make vehicles look smaller and further away.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Study tip. When two answers both seem legal, pick the one that is safer for everyone on the road. That is how most tests are written.
When should headlights be switched on besides during the hours of darkness?
1. Only on a highway, and never on a street where there are street lights
2. Only when the vehicle in front of you has switched its own lights on
3. Whenever rain, fog, snow or dust makes it harder to see or to be seen
4. Only when the street lights of a town have already been lit for the night
Show answer

Answer C: Whenever rain, fog, snow or dust makes it harder to see or to be seen

Headlights are as much about being seen as about seeing, so they go on whenever visibility drops.

Source: nhtsa.gov
What are front fog lights for?
1. Lighting the road far ahead when the highway is completely empty
2. Replacing the low beams whenever it rains during the daytime hours
3. Warning other drivers that your vehicle has stopped at the roadside
4. Adding a low, wide beam close to the car when visibility is poor
Show answer

Answer D: Adding a low, wide beam close to the car when visibility is poor

Fog lights throw a low, wide beam under the fog, which is why they are mounted low and are used only in poor visibility.

Source: nhtsa.gov
When are the hazard warning lights properly used?
1. When your vehicle is stopped or barely moving and is a hazard
2. Whenever you double park for a moment to drop off a passenger
3. When you want other drivers to know you are about to make a turn
4. When you want to keep other drivers from passing you on a long hill
Show answer

Answer A: When your vehicle is stopped or barely moving and is a hazard

Hazard lights warn that your vehicle is an obstruction; they do not authorize illegal parking and they hide your turn signals while driving.

Source: nhtsa.gov
You are approaching a horse and rider on a country road. What about your horn?
1. Sound it continuously until the rider has moved on to the shoulder
2. Sound it only if the horse is on your side of the center line
3. Do not sound it at all, because the noise can frighten the animal
4. Sound it twice from a distance so that the rider knows you are there
Show answer

Answer C: Do not sound it at all, because the noise can frighten the animal

A startled horse is dangerous to its rider and to you, so pass wide and slow and leave the horn alone.

Source: nhtsa.gov
What is the purpose of carrying a first aid kit in your vehicle?
1. It replaces the need to call for an ambulance after a small crash
2. It is required equipment in every private car right across the country
3. It allows you to give medicines to anybody injured at the scene
4. It lets you treat cuts and bleeding while the help is on its way
Show answer

Answer D: It lets you treat cuts and bleeding while the help is on its way

A kit is for simple first aid such as controlling bleeding until trained help arrives, not a substitute for calling for that help.

Source: ready.gov