HomeBlogBlogDo You Give or Take a Test? A Guide to Test Drives

Do You Give or Take a Test? A Guide to Test Drives

Do you give a test or take a test?

You take a test when you are the person being evaluated. A teacher, instructor, or organization gives a test when they administer it to someone else. For example, you take a driving test, and the licensing examiner gives the test.

A test drive works a little differently. You can say you take a car for a test drive or give a car a test drive. Both expressions mean you drive the vehicle to see how it performs. The dealership may also say it gives customers test drives, meaning it provides the opportunity to try the car.

How do you use these phrases correctly?

The right expression depends on who or what follows the verb:

Take a test: “You need to take a driving test before getting your license.”
Give a test: “The examiner will give you a driving test.”
Take a test drive: “You can take a test drive before deciding whether to buy.”
Give a car a test drive: “Give the car a test drive to see how it handles.”

In everyday American English, “test-drive” can also be a verb: “You should test-drive the car.” Our team uses these terms to distinguish a vehicle evaluation from a licensing exam.

What should you notice on a test drive?

Before setting off, adjust the seat, mirrors, and steering wheel so you can reach the controls comfortably and see clearly. Make sure passengers have enough room and that the driving position suits you.

On the road, pay attention to acceleration, braking, steering, and visibility. If it is safe and permitted, try a mix of local roads and a faster route. Listen for unusual noises, and notice whether the ride feels comfortable over bumps. Park the car, too, so you can judge how easily it fits into a space.

We recommend taking enough time to assess the features you will use regularly, from the climate controls to the cargo area. For a more complete checklist, read our guide to test-driving a car.