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If you’re considering going green and want to test drive a Tesla, you can easily schedule an appointment at a dealership near you or even rent one as an alternative.
We’ve put together a guide below with all the ins and outs you need to know about test driving and what the experience is like to help you out.
How Do I Schedule A Tesla Demo Drive On The Website?
If you have a Tesla dealership near you, you will need to sign up and book a Tesla demo drive on the site.
Before you book appointment, make sure you have a valid US driver’s license and you are over the age of 18 years old.
- Begin by signing up to the Tesla site on the test drive booking page. Here, you will have to enter your details and pick between Model S, Model X, Model 3 and Model Y.
- Once the form is complete, select submit and continue.
- Now the site will choose the Tesla dealership located nearest to you with dates and times you can pick from.
- Tesla will then pick a representative to call you and confirm your appointment. They will also send you a reminder nearer the date.
The Tesla Test Drive Experience
Once you’ve got your test drive booked, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the Tesla driving experience, so you can know what to expect.
- Test drives at Tesla are popular and limited. Try and show up at least 10 minutes before your appointment so as not to be late, otherwise, they could cancel.
- You can typically test-drive a Tesla for 30 minutes. This will give you enough time to get familiar with the car’s interior, a feel for how it drives and use the touch screen.
- Someone will talk you through Tesla with a sales pitch, pay attention and make note of anything important. This is also a good time to ask any pressing questions.
- Depending on where you are, there might still be some Covid-19 regulations. It is possible the sales representative might not be sitting in the car with you while you test drive.
- Once the test drive is complete, you will go back to the dealership to follow up on the experience. Once again you can ask any questions at this point.
- If you decide you want to go ahead and purchase a Tesla vehicle there and then, the sales advisor will talk to you through the ordering process and any designing options.
What If There Is No Tesla Showroom Near Me?
If there is no Tesla dealership nearby, don’t worry.
There are other alternatives that can allow you to test drive the car and get a feel for that famous acceleration.
Rent A Tesla
Tesla is on major rental companies such as Expedia, Rentalcars, or Enterprise, the daily rental rates can be expensive though.
In the California area, you can also use the Turo app to rent a Tesla for test driving.
An advantage to this is that you can drive for more than 30 minutes, it could cost you anywhere between $50-$230 depending on the model and availability.
Be cautious about insurance here too. Personal insurance might not cover this driving, so you might need to buy some extra coverage to be on the safe side.
Borrow From Close Family/Friends
If you have a close friend or relative, then why not ask them if you can test drive their Tesla? This could be especially easy if you live in California where Teslas are very popular.
Be prepared, some people will be eager for you to experience driving this electric car while others might refuse since these cars don’t come cheap!
Visit Tesla Events
Tesla often holds events if there is no showroom near you, this can be a great chance to have a test drive. Check out the events page to see when they are hosting near you to grab a slot.
FAQs About Test-Driving Teslas
Can you Test Drive a Tesla Without Buying One?
Sure, a Tesla can be booked for a test drive without an obligation to buy one.
Most likely the sales advisor will want to try to sell you the car, but the final decision is up to you.
How Old Do I Have to Be to Test Drive a Tesla?
To test drive a Tesla you need to be at least 18 years old and have a valid license.
How Do I Find the Closest Tesla Dealership?
To find the closest Tesla dealership you need to login into the site. Enter your details on the test drive booking site and Tesla will perform a date location search showing you the nearest options.
Does It Cost to Test Drive a Tesla?
No, it does not cost to test drive a Tesla through their test drive booking site and Tesla events. If you rent one privately it will cost.
Does Tesla Offer an Overnight Test Drive?
Tesla does offer an overnight test drive in some locations, allowing you to test the car over a few days, this may only be available for certain models.
Can I Test Drive Tesla for a Day?
Most of the time, Tesla will let you drive for around 30 minutes when booking through their showroom. Although, some locations may let you have it overnight or for the day.
If you want to test drive Tesla for longer we suggest renting it privately.
Our Verdict
Booking a Tesla test drive allows you to take these electric cars out for a spin before you invest a hefty amount.
People say it offers a smoother experience than driving your usual car and not forgetting the speedy acceleration.
Just ensure you have your driver’s license on hand when you show up.
After experiencing it for the first time, you will probably realize why Tesla cars are so popular and wonder why you waited so long to test one of these bad boys out!