There is a smart way to experience driving different types and models of cars, and one of such is test driving cars, while the other is renting cars for specific periods. Test driving can be advantageous to both the selling party and the buyer, and it is the norm for most dealerships. The buyer gets a firsthand feel of the car, experiencing the transmission, the sleekness and other features he/she might require in his/her dream car. If the car is used, pre-driving it can allow the buyer to experience the car to see if there are any hidden faults or features that he/she cannot live without. Of course, people research ahead of a visit to the dealership by reading car services reviews on different platforms. Nevertheless, nothing can beat the firsthand experience of driving two to three cars to pick the one that best suits an individual.

Before you take a car on a test drive, however, here are a few points to keep in mind:

• You need to ask questions about the allowance and boundaries offered by the car dealership’s policy on test driving. Are you required to take an employee or salesperson with you on the ride? What is the maximum time duration for the dealership’s policy on test driving? In the event you are allowed to test drive a car alone, what is the dealership’s coverage on accidents and unforeseen circumstances? What is the distance that a test-driving session is allowed to cover? Are there areas that the customer should not take the car to? These and any more questions about cars, dealerships and test-driving can be found on co.uk.
• Once the organizational policies and allowances are sorted out, then comes the personal relationship with the car. Have you driven the type of transmission of your potential car before? Do you know what each dial stands for? It is standard practice to have a salesperson explain the functioning of the car to a customer before the test drive, although some customers might choose to waive this as a formality or in their impatience to experience the car. As much as possible, ensure that your attention is on the driving, and leave the experience of other features like the stereo, GPS and technologies to when you are not moving, especially if you are a fairly new driver.
• The above point, which is to pay attention to the driving, allows the customer to notice if the acceleration of the car operates smoothly, what the car feels like as it climbs a bump or drives for long stretches of road, if the car is easy to steer and how comfortable the customer is with driving the car.
• If you have not driven in a long time, a test drive at a dealership is not the time or place for a refresher course, unless you are willing to pay a huge sum for such a course. It is also not the time to practice stunts, learn to drive a stick or any other such activity.
• Try out routes that are similar to your regular, everyday routes if it is within the allowance of the dealership. If not, you can speak to the salesman so that allowances can be made for you.
• Behind the wheel, try to get as comfortable as you could hope to be if you bought the car. Does your leg reach the pedals easily? Are you cramped in the driver’s seat, even after adjusting to create more legroom? Is your head hitting the roof or you have to hold your neck at a particular angle to avoid hitting the roof? Test-driving allows for you to find the perfect fit for you, so it is best not to make any compromises that could over time lead to discomfort or disgruntlement.

Most importantly, have fun with the comparison process. Try out as many varieties as you want, and once you drive the perfect car for your future, you’ll be sure that it was the best choice!