The Importance of Safety & Risk Management During Test Drives

Allowing prospective customers to test drive vehicles is an essential part of the car-buying process and can present risks such as accidents and unauthorized use. To help mitigate these exposures, dealerships should prioritize safety. Implementing formal test drive policies, such as those outlined below, is recommended to establish clear criteria and procedures.

Customer Qualification and Documentation

• Verify that customers have a valid driver's license and proof of insurance, and retain copies of these documents.
• Cross-reference the driver's license with two additional forms of identification, such as a credit card, passport, utility bill, or vehicle ownership documents, if applicable.
• Obtain customers’ credit card information and require a completed test drive agreement that clearly outlines roles, responsibilities, and expectations.

Test Drive Conduct and Supervision

• A salesperson should accompany the customer during the test drive whenever possible and maintain control of the vehicle keys.
• The salesperson may initially drive the vehicle with the customer as a passenger to demonstrate key features before allowing the customer to take the wheel.
• When accompanying the customer is not feasible, such as during motorcycle, ATV, or snowmobile test drives, the salesperson should follow in a separate vehicle.

Test Drive Route and Duration

• Establish a designated test drive route that avoids busy intersections and incorporates primarily right turns.
• Set a maximum time limit for test drives, typically no more than 30 minutes.
• Overnight test drives should not be permitted.

Vehicle Safety and Tracking Measures

• Ensure factory-installed vehicle tracking devices are activated and operational.

Post-Test Drive Procedures

• Upon return from an unaccompanied test drive, immediately retrieve the vehicle key and secure the vehicle.
• Staff should personally lock the vehicle using the returned key to help verify that no key switching occurred during the test drive.

Additional Safety Reminders and Policy Formalization

• Remind all occupants of test drives to use seatbelts.
• Conduct vehicle inspections before and after each test drive.
• Review the vehicle's safety features and operating procedures with customers and document completion of the process.
• Formalize all policies related to test drives, including customer eligibility requirements and test drive procedures. 

Effective test drive controls can help dealerships enhance customer safety, protect vehicles, reduce liability exposures, improve customer experience, assist in vehicle performance evaluations, increase sales conversion rates, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Sources:
Kelley Blue Book. Test-Driving a Car: A Checklist. https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/test-driving-car-checklist/. Accessed August 7, 2026.