Autotest
What is Autotest?
An Autotest in UK motorsport is a fantastic, affordable, and accessible way to get involved in competitive driving, focusing on precision car control and agility rather than outright speed. Think of it as a low-speed, intricate obstacle course for cars.
Here’s a breakdown for a newcomer:
What is it?
- Skill-based: Autotests are all about your driving skill, car control, and ability to follow a pre-determined route quickly and accurately. It’s a true test of driver technique. And sometimes memory.
- Low speed: You’ll rarely get out of first or second gear, and often use reverse. This makes it safer, cheaper on your car, and less intimidating for beginners.
- Memorised courses: Drivers tackle a series of “tests,” which are courses marked out by plastic cones or pylons, usually on tarmac (like a car park) or a smooth grass field. You’ll need to memorise the route for each test.
- Against the clock: You compete one at a time, aiming to complete each test in the fastest possible time.
- Penalties: Hitting a cone, failing to stop on a line, or taking the wrong route incurs time penalties, which are added to your raw time. The driver with the lowest accumulated time (including penalties) wins.
How does it work?
- Find a club: Autotests are run by local motor clubs across the UK. You’ll need to join a club (membership fees are usually low).
- Get a licence: You’ll need a free Motorsport UK RS Clubman licence, which you can apply for online.
- Your car: One of the biggest appeals is that you can often use your everyday road car! Small, agile hatchbacks are popular and competitive, but many types of cars can participate. Some people eventually move on to specially modified “Autotest specials.”
- The event:
- You’ll typically arrive at a venue (like an airfield, large car park, or field).
- There will be a number of different “tests” laid out.
- Before driving, you’ll get a diagram of each test and the chance to walk the course to memorise the route.
- You’ll usually get two or more attempts at each test, with your fastest time counting.
- Skills like handbrake turns, “J-turns” (reverse flicks), and precise reversing are often part of the tests.
- Drivers are split into classes, often by engine size or drive type (front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive).
- Many events allow “double driving,” where two people can share one car, making it even more cost-effective.
- What to expect:
- A friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
- Plenty of opportunity to learn and improve your car control.
- While low speed, it’s still highly competitive and exhilarating!
- Be aware of potential tyre wear, especially on tarmac events.
Why try it?
- Low cost: Entry fees are very reasonable, and you don’t need a specially prepared car or extensive safety gear (unless you’re at the very highest level).
- Develop skills: It’s an excellent way to hone your car control, understanding of vehicle dynamics, and precision driving in a safe, controlled environment. Many top motorsport drivers started in Autotests.
- Fun and social: It’s a very social discipline, with a strong community feel, and a great way to meet like-minded people.
In essence, an Autotest is about mastering your car and the course with skill and finesse, making it a brilliant entry point into the exciting world of UK motorsport.
What’s on in Autotest?
IW Steam Railway Autotest
- Date: 2025-10-18
- Location: IW Steam Railway Car Park, The Railway Station, Station Road, RYDE, United Kingdom, PO33 4DS
- Organiser: Isle of Wight Car Club Ltd
- Find Club: Isle of Wight Car Club Ltd
Penmaenau Autotest
- Date: 2025-10-19
- Location: Penmaenau Farm, Llanelwedd, BUILTH WELLS, United Kingdom, LD2 3RD
- Organiser: Epynt Motor Club Ltd
- More Info: www.epyntmc.co.uk
October Autotest
- Date: 2025-10-19
- Location: Alpaca Field, Southend Farm, Sidlesham Common, CHICHESTER, United Kingdom, PO20 7PU
- Organiser: Bognor Regis Motor Club
- Find Club: Bognor Regis Motor Club
GBMC/CCC Autotest
- Date: 2025-10-19
- Location: Debden Airfield, CB10 2YA
- Organiser: Anglia Motor Sports Club Ltd.
- Find Club: Anglia Motor Sports Club Ltd.
StreetCar Westridge Autotest
- Date: 2025-10-19
- Location: Westridge Centre Car Park, Brading Road, RYDE, United Kingdom, PO33 1QS
- Organiser: Isle of Wight Car Club
- Find Club: Isle of Wight Car Club
Precision Engine Services Autotest
- Date: 2025-10-19
- Location: Dallachy Airfield, Speybay, United Kingdom, IV32 7QX
- Organiser: Sixty Three Car Club (Elgin) Ltd
- Find Club: Sixty Three Car Club (Elgin) Ltd
SOSCC 2025 - Tar 4 Jones Clubman
- Date: 2025-10-19
- Location: Jones Yard, Heathhall, DUMFRIES, United Kingdom, DG1 1TS
- Organiser: South Of Scotland Car Club Ltd
- More Info: www.soscc.co.uk
ADC Clubman Charity Autotest
- Date: 2025-10-25
- Location: Carryduff Building Supplies, 116 Hillsborough Road, Moneyrea, NEWTOWNARDS, United Kingdom, BT23 6AZ
- Organiser: Autotest Drivers Club N.I. Ltd
- More Info: www.autotestdriversclub.co.uk
Loch Lomond Shores Autotest 3
- Date: 2025-10-26
- Location: Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch, ALEXANDRIA, United Kingdom, G83 8QL
- Organiser: Scottish Sporting Car Club
- More Info: Scottish Sporting Car Club
AUTOTEST 26.10.25
- Date: 2025-10-26
- Location: Les Vardes, Ronez, St. Sampson, GUERNSEY, United Kingdom, GY2 4TF
- Organiser: GUERNSEY MOTORCYCLE AND CAR CLUB LBG
- More Info: GUERNSEY MOTORCYCLE AND CAR CLUB LBG
Kirranrae Autotest
- Date: 2025-10-26
- Location: Kirranrae Farm, Kirkcolm, STRANRAER, United Kingdom, DG9 0NS
- Organiser: Machars Car Club Ltd
- Find Club: Machars Car Club Ltd
Autumn Tarmac Autotest 25
- Date: 2025-11-01
- Location: Ashford Livestock Market, Monument Way, Orbital Park, ASHFORD, United Kingdom, TN24 0HB
- Organiser: Maidstone & Mid Kent Motor Club Ltd
- More Info: www.mmkmc.co.uk
2nd Winter Autotest 25
- Date: 2025-11-01
- Location: Ross Auction centre, R G & R B WILLIAMS AUCTIONEERS LTD, Netherton Road, ROSS-ON-WYE, United Kingdom, HR9 7QQ
- Organiser: Ross & District Motor Sports Ltd
- More Info: Ross & District Motor Sports Ltd
SDMC November Autotest
- Date: 2025-11-02
- Location: John Lawrie Metals, Greenbank Road, East Tullos Industrial Estate, ABERDEEN, United Kingdom, AB12 3BQ
- Organiser: Stonehaven and District Motor Club
- More Info: www.sdmc.co.uk/
Guy Fawkes Autotest
- Date: 2025-11-02
- Location: Anglesey Circuit, LL63 5TF
- Organiser: C&A Motor Club
- Find Club: C&A Motor Club
Bestfed.co.uk Bonfire Autotest
- Date: 2025-11-08
- Location: Oakwood Autotest Arena, Tees Valley Community Church, Eaglescliffe, STOCKTON-ON-TEES, United Kingdom, TS16 0ET
- Organiser: Hartlepool and District Motor Club
- Find Club: Hartlepool and District Motor Club
StreetCar Fort Street Car Park Autotest
- Date: 2025-11-09
- Location: Fort Street Car Park, SANDOWN, United Kingdom, PO36 8BA
- Organiser: Isle of Wight Car Club
- Find Club: Isle of Wight Car Club
StreetCar Ventnor Botanic Garden Autotest
- Date: 2025-11-16
- Location: Botanic Garden, Undercliff Drive, VENTNOR, United Kingdom, PO38 1UL
- Organiser: Isle Of Wight Car Club Ltd
- Find Club: Isle Of Wight Car Club Ltd
3rd Winter Autotest 25
- Date: 2025-11-29
- Location: Ross Auction centre, R G & R B WILLIAMS AUCTIONEERS LTD, Netherton Road, ROSS-ON-WYE, United Kingdom, HR9 7QQ
- Organiser: Ross & District Motor Sports Ltd
- More Info: Ross & District Motor Sports Ltd
The Winter Driving Tests
- Date: 2025-11-29
- Location: Bicester Heritage, Southern Avenue, BICESTER, United Kingdom, OX27 8FY
- Organiser: Vintage Sports-Car Club
- More Info: Vintage Sports-Car Club
AUTOTEST 30.11.25
- Date: 2025-11-30
- Location: Les Monmains, Vale, GUERNSEY, United Kingdom, GY3 5TX
- Organiser: GUERNSEY MOTORCYCLE AND CAR CLUB LBG
- More Info: GUERNSEY MOTORCYCLE AND CAR CLUB LBG
Showground Auto Test
- Date: 2025-12-07
- Location: Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, BUILTH WELLS, United Kingdom, LD2 3SY
- Organiser: Epynt Motor Club Ltd
- More Info: www.epyntmc.co.uk
SOSCC Oakbank 6 Clubman
- Date: 2025-12-07
- Location: Oakbank, Brasswell, DUMFRIES, United Kingdom, DG1 4PH
- Organiser: South Of Scotland Car Club Ltd
- More Info: www.soscc.co.uk
4th Winter Autotest 25
- Date: 2025-12-13
- Location: Ross Auction centre, R G & R B WILLIAMS AUCTIONEERS LTD, Netherton Road, ROSS-ON-WYE, United Kingdom, HR9 7QQ
- Organiser: Ross & District Motor Sports Ltd
- More Info: Ross & District Motor Sports Ltd
AUTOTEST 21.12.25
- Date: 2025-12-21
- Location: Les Vardes, Ronez, St. Sampson, GUERNSEY, United Kingdom, GY2 4TF
- Organiser: GUERNSEY MOTORCYCLE AND CAR CLUB LBG
- More Info: GUERNSEY MOTORCYCLE AND CAR CLUB LBG