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How Do I Use Iracing Test Drive

Clear, step-by-step instructions to start a solo test session, troubleshoot missing options, and fix this issue fast.

If you’re asking how do i use iracing test drive, the short answer: open a Test Drive (solo) session from the Drive/Test menu or the car page, pick car and track, then Enter to start. You’re in the right place — below are plain steps and quick fixes if the button or option isn’t showing.

Quick Answer — how do i use iracing test drive

Test Drive in iRacing is a solo practice session that lets you try a car and track without affecting your safety rating (SR) or iRating. Launch iRacing, choose Drive (or Test Drive from the website/car page), select car/track/weather, click Enter, and you’ll load into a private practice session.

What’s really going on

Test Drive is simply a non-official practice session inside iRacing. It’s for setup testing, hardware checks, or learning a car/track. It will not count toward official results, SR, or iRating. People get confused when they can’t find the Test Drive option, or when they expect other drivers, AI, or to race in it — Test Drive is solo-only for experimenting and setup work.

Step-by-step fix

  1. Log into the iRacing launcher and start the simulator.
  2. From the main menu pick Drive (or go to the car page on the iRacing website and click Test Drive).
  3. Select the car and track you want to test. If the car or track isn’t downloaded, download it first from the Content tab.
  4. Set session options: laps/time, fuel/tire states, and weather if available. You can also pick a saved setup or use the default.
  5. Click Enter (or Start Session). Wait for the session to load — you’ll spawn in a private practice session.
  6. Save any setup changes in the Garage so you can reuse them later.

If the Test Drive or Enter button is missing:

  • Quit and relaunch the sim, then log in again.
  • Check the Content tab and download the car/track.
  • Make sure your membership is active and not limited by a subscription restriction.
  • Disable overlays or firewall blocks that might interfere with the launcher.
  • If the website Test Drive opens but the sim doesn’t start, verify the sim path in the launcher settings.

Extra tips / checklist

  • Test Drive won’t spawn other cars or AI — it’s solo only. Use it to focus on clean laps.
  • Save setups in the Garage immediately after making changes.
  • Use the iRacing on-screen telemetry and split times to compare laps.
  • If you need to test wheel/pedal inputs, use the Controller Calibration in Options first.
  • If you want practice with traffic, use a league/private hosted session instead of Test Drive.

FAQs

Q: Can I Test Drive any car or track?
A: Generally yes if you own or have downloaded the content. Some subscription levels restrict certain content.

Q: Does Test Drive affect my SR or iRating?
A: No. Test Drive is a private practice session and does not change SR or iRating.

Q: Why don’t I see the Test Drive button?
A: Common causes: not logged in, content not downloaded, launcher issue, or membership/content restrictions. Restart and check Content downloads.

Q: Can I use AI cars in Test Drive?
A: No. iRacing doesn’t provide AI in Test Drive. Use a private hosted session if you need other cars on track.

Wrap-up

Test Drive is the fastest way to test setups, check hardware, and learn new cars without risk. Start a session from Drive or the car page, download any missing content, and save setups in the Garage. If something’s missing, relaunch, check downloads, and confirm your membership. Now hop in and run a few clean laps.