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?

  1. 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).
  2. Get a licence: You’ll need a free Motorsport UK RS Clubman licence, which you can apply for online.
  3. 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.”
  4. 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.
  5. 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?

Coleraine & District Motor Club ANICC Championship & Challenge Autotest

Edlesborough Grass Autotest

  • Date: 2025-08-24
  • Location: Willow Farm, Tring Road, Edlesborough, DUNSTABLE, United Kingdom, LU6 2EE
  • Organiser: Falcon Motor Club
  • More Info: www.falconmotorclub.com

Upper Barr

  • Date: 2025-08-24
  • Location: Upper Barr Farm, NEWTON STEWART, United Kingdom, DG8 6AU
  • Organiser: Machars Car Club Ltd
  • Find Club: Machars Car Club Ltd

SCCON Autotest Round 3 of the AMSC 2025 AutoSolo Challenge

  • Date: 2025-08-25
  • Location: Snetterton Circuit, NR16 2JU
  • Organiser: Sporting Car Club of Norfolk
  • More Info: www.sccon.co.uk/

7th Summer Autotest

  • Date: 2025-08-31
  • Location: The Mynd, Abbeydore, HEREFORD, United Kingdom, HR2 0AE
  • Organiser: Ross & District Motor Sports Ltd
  • Find Club: Ross & District Motor Sports Ltd

Alves Autotest

  • Date: 2025-08-31
  • Location: Sweethillock Farm, FORRES, United Kingdom, IV36 2RA
  • Organiser: 63 Car Club (Elgin) Ltd
  • Find Club: 63 Car Club (Elgin) Ltd

SOSCC Chanlockfoot AUg 25 CM

  • Date: 2025-08-31
  • Location: Chanlockfoot Farm, THORNHILL, United Kingdom, DG3 4NH
  • Organiser: South Of Scotland Car Club Ltd
  • More Info: www.soscc.co.uk

The Andy Wilson Memorial Autotest/PCA

  • Date: 2025-09-06
  • Location: Crail Raceway, Crail, Fife, KY10 3XL
  • Organiser: Glenrothes Motor Sport Club
  • Find Club: Glenrothes Motor Sport Club

AMSC Summer Autosolo, Autotest and PCA

  • Date: 2025-09-07
  • Location: Woodbridge Airfield, 3CR4+2P, Rock Barracks, Sutton Heath, WOODBRIDGE, United Kingdom, IP12 3LU
  • Organiser: Anglia Motor Sport Club
  • Find Club: Anglia Motor Sport Club

Bacon and Brakes Grass Autotest

  • Date: 2025-09-07
  • Location: Rhynd Farm, Leuchars, ST. ANDREWS, United Kingdom, KY16 0DR
  • Organiser: Glenrothes Motor Sport Club
  • Find Club: Glenrothes Motor Sport Club

September Autotest

  • Date: 2025-09-07
  • Location: Pendrift Farm, Pendrift, Blisland, BODMIN, United Kingdom, PL30 4JT
  • Organiser: Camel Vale Motor Club
  • Find Club: Camel Vale Motor Club

Bestfed.co.uk September Sprint Autotest

  • Date: 2025-09-13
  • 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

Graig Goch Auto Test

  • Date: 2025-09-14
  • Location: None
  • Organiser: Epynt Motor Club Ltd
  • More Info: www.epyntmc.co.uk

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September autotest Taster

  • Date: 2025-09-14
  • Location: East Kirkby Airfield, SPILSBY, United Kingdom, PE23 4DE
  • Organiser: MG Car Club (Lincolnshire Centre)
  • More Info: mgcclincolnshire.co.uk

Twisted Arms Grass AutoTest & PCA

  • Date: 2025-09-14
  • Location: Pusey Lodge Farm, FARINGDON, United Kingdom, SN7 8QD
  • Organiser: Oxford Motor Club
  • More Info: www.oxfordmotorclub.co.uk

VSCC Madresfield Driving Tests

  • Date: 2025-09-14
  • Location: Madresfield Court, Madresfield, MALVERN, United Kingdom, WR13 5AJ
  • Organiser: Vintage Sports-Car Club
  • More Info: Vintage Sports-Car Club

SOSCC Jones Sept 25 CM

  • Date: 2025-09-14
  • Location: Jones Yard, Heathhall, DUMFRIES, United Kingdom, DG1 1TS
  • Organiser: South Of Scotland Car Club Ltd
  • More Info: www.soscc.co.uk

Kennings Autotest 2025

Ardeer Autotest 2

  • Date: 2025-09-20
  • Location: Ardeer (Irvine Bay Events), Lundholm Road, STEVENSTON, United Kingdom, KA20 3LJ
  • Organiser: Scottish Sporting Car Club
  • More Info: Scottish Sporting Car Club

September Autotest

  • Date: 2025-09-20
  • Location: Alpaca Field, Southend Farm, Sidlesham Common, CHICHESTER, United Kingdom, PO20 7PU
  • Organiser: Bognor Regis Motor Club
  • Find Club: Bognor Regis Motor Club

Tremayle Autotest

  • Date: 2025-09-28
  • Location: Tremayle Farm, BODMIN, United Kingdom, PL30 5JY
  • Organiser: Camel Vale Motor Club
  • Find Club: Camel Vale Motor Club

Bestfed.co.uk Octobertest Autotest

  • Date: 2025-10-11
  • 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

Late Autumn autotest Taster

  • Date: 2025-10-12
  • Location: Strubby Airfield, Fruitpick Control Tower, Woodthorpe, ALFORD, United Kingdom, LN13 0DD
  • Organiser: MG Car Club (Lincolnshire Centre)
  • More Info: mgcclincolnshire.co.uk

Llanwrytd Auto Test

  • Date: 2025-10-19
  • Location: Plas Y Cadno Farm, Beulah Road, LLANWRTYD WELLS, United Kingdom, LD5 4SA
  • Organiser: Epynt Motor Club Ltd
  • More Info: www.epyntmc.co.uk

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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

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

Ardeer Autotest 3

  • Date: 2025-11-01
  • Location: Ardeer (Irvine Bay Events), Lundholm Road, STEVENSTON, United Kingdom, KA20 3LJ
  • Organiser: Scottish Sporting Car Club
  • More Info: Scottish Sporting Car 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