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?
Foxley Autotest 2026
- Date: 2026-03-29
- Location: Foxley Estate, Mansel Lacy, HEREFORD, United Kingdom, HR4 7HQ
- Organiser: Herefordshire Motor Club Ltd
- Find Club: Herefordshire Motor Club Ltd
April Autotest
- Date: 2026-04-05
- Location: Will Orr’s Farm, West Mains of Finavon, FORFAR, United Kingdom, DD8 3PU
- Organiser: 750 Motor Club (Scotland)
- Find Club: 750 Motor Club (Scotland)
Eastertime Autotest
- Date: 2026-04-11
- Location: Oakwood Autotest Arena, Tees Valley Community Church, Eaglescliffe, STOCKTON-ON-TEES, United Kingdom, TS16 0ET
- Organiser: Hartlepool & District M C
- Find Club: Hartlepool & District M C
Stephen Stringer Memorial Autotest 26
- Date: 2026-04-11
- 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
April Autotest
- Date: 2026-04-11
- Location: Alpaca Field, Southend Farm, Sidlesham Common, CHICHESTER, United Kingdom, PO20 7PU
- Organiser: Bognor Regis Motor Club
- More Info: [Bognor Regis Motor Club](https://Bognor Regis Motor Club)
Volvo CE Motherwell Autotest
- Date: 2026-04-11
- Location: Volvo CE Motherwell, Motherwell, Lanarkshire, United Kingdom, ML1 5RX
- Organiser: Scottish Sporting Car Club
- More Info: Scottish Sporting Car Club
WSMC/MCAC Streetcar AutoTest
- Date: 2026-04-12
- Location: Debden Airfield, Saffron Walden, Essex, United Kingdom, CB10 2YA
- Organiser: Anglia Motor Sport Club Ltd
- More Info: www.amsc.org.uk
April Autotest
- Date: 2026-04-12
- Location: Colquite House, Washaway, BODMIN, United Kingdom, PL30 3AF
- Organiser: Camel Vale Motor Club Ltd
- Find Club: Camel Vale Motor Club Ltd
April Autotest 2026
- Date: 2026-04-12
- Location: Dallachy Airfield, Speybay, United Kingdom, IV32 7QX
- Organiser: Sixty Three Car Club (Elgin) Ltd
- Find Club: Sixty Three Car Club (Elgin) Ltd
WCMC Autotest Championship Rd1
- Date: 2026-04-12
- Location: Eastmans, Lowca Lane, WORKINGTON, United Kingdom, CA14 1BQ
- Organiser: West Cumbria Motorsport Club
- Find Club: West Cumbria Motorsport Club
Autotest The Junction
- Date: 2026-04-18
- Location: The Junction Retail Complex, 111 Ballymena Rd, ANTRIM, United Kingdom, BT41 4LL
- Organiser: Larne Motor Club
- More Info: www.larnemotorclub.co.uk/autotestthejunction
Top Chicane Autotest
- Date: 2026-04-19
- Location: Anglesey Circuit, Ty Croes, Gwynedd, United Kingdom, LL63 5TF
- Organiser: Caernarvonshire & Anglesey Motor Club
- More Info: www.camconline.co.uk
Staffordshire Knot Autotest
- Date: 2026-04-25
- Location: Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb, Shelsley Walsh, Worcester, Worcestershire, United Kingdom, WR6 6RP
- Organiser: Wolverhampton & South Staffordshire Car Club Ltd
- More Info: www.wsscc.co.uk
Crychan Autotest
- Date: 2026-04-26
- Location: Crychan Quarry, Tirabad, LLANDOVERY, United Kingdom, SA20 0YT
- Organiser: Epynt Motor Club Ltd
- More Info: www.epyntmc.co.uk
Spring All Forwards Autotest (StreetCar)
- Date: 2026-04-26
- Location: Errol Airfield, Seaside Farm, Errol, PERTH, United Kingdom, PH2 7TA
- Organiser: Saltire Rally Club Ltd
- Find Club: Saltire Rally Club Ltd
Spring Autotest
- Date: 2026-05-02
- Location: Oakwood Autotest Arena, Tees Valley Community Church, Eaglescliffe, STOCKTON-ON-TEES, United Kingdom, TS16 0ET
- Organiser: Hartlepool & District M C
- Find Club: Hartlepool & District M C
Grass Autotest Taster & Training Day
- Date: 2026-05-03
- Location: Headcorn Aerodrome, Shenley Road, Headcorn, ASHFORD, United Kingdom, TN27 9HX
- Organiser: Maidstone & Mid Kent Motor Club Ltd
- More Info: mmkmc.co.uk
U17MC - NW Autotest
- Date: 2026-05-17
- Location: Blackburn with Darwen Services, M65 Motorway Services J4, DARWEN, United Kingdom, BB3 0DB
- Organiser: Under 17 Motor Club - Northwest
- Find Club: Under 17 Motor Club - Northwest
June Autotest
- Date: 2026-06-06
- Location: Alpaca Field, Southend Farm, Sidlesham Common, CHICHESTER, United Kingdom, PO20 7PU
- Organiser: Bognor Regis Motor Club
- Find Club: Bognor Regis Motor Club
Brooklands Relived Autotest 26
- Date: 2026-06-14
- Location: BROOKLANDS MUSEUM, Brooklands Road, WEYBRIDGE, Surrey, United Kingdom, KT13 0QN
- Organiser: Maidstone & Mid Kent Motor Club Ltd
- More Info: www.mmkmc.co.uk
Flaming June Autotest
- Date: 2026-06-20
- Location: Oakwood Autotest Arena, Tees Valley Community Church, Eaglescliffe, STOCKTON-ON-TEES, United Kingdom, TS16 0ET
- Organiser: Hartlepool & District M C
- Find Club: Hartlepool & District M C