When I think back to the “old days” (and I guess I'm showing my age when I say that), test-driving a vehicle was typically done for one of two reasons: to check for wind noise or to verify an alignment — making sure the vehicle drove straight and the steering wheel was centered.

But today, test-driving is much more in-depth.

Today’s test drive is far more complex, and far more critical. Now, you're test-driving to verify systems and components such as a blind spot monitor are functioning exactly as intended after a collision repair. And that requires a completely different mindset. We need to understand that test drives are much more than just taking it on a five-minute drive.

Consider the blind spot monitoring system. You need to understand what are the set conditions in which that blind spot monitor activates and verify its operation in real-world conditions. A blind spot monitor may only activate unless you're driving above a specific speed — let's say 31 mph. If you never reach that threshold during your test drive, you haven’t actually tested anything.

The same applies to other systems. A backup camera requires operation in reverse, often below a certain speed. Some calibrations require very specific driving patterns: straight lines, circles, or even figure-eights. I recently wrote an estimate on a vehicle that required a figure-eight under 20 mph just to recalibrate the compass after a windshield replacement.

Let that sink in for a moment: a compass calibration tied to a windshield repair required a specific driving maneuver. That’s the level of precision we’re dealing with today.

And it doesn’t stop there. Some advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) require testing on specific types of roads. Systems like GM Super Cruise or Nissan ProPILOT Assist may only function on designated highways. Other features rely on clear lane markings or visible road signage to operate properly. In some cases, systems even interpret the backside of road signs to detect wrong-way driving. You may have to test-drive a vehicle for a certain length of time: 5 minutes, 5 seconds, or 30 minutes.

You must research these procedures. But keep in mind when you go into the OEM repair procedures, it's not so simple. You don't just type in, "test drive." OEMs use a variety of terminology. One might use "action test," another "drive cycle." One might use "set conditions." You are not going to be able to use a one-size-fits-all approach to figure out your test drive conditions.
Instead, you need to identify the systems and components you're verifying and research what activates them.

Instead, you need to start with the systems you’re trying to verify and work backward. What triggers them? What conditions are required for them to function? Often, the owner’s manual can provide helpful clues, especially for activation thresholds and operating conditions. But in many cases, you’ll need to dig deeper into OEM procedures.

Another critical misconception I hear is that scanning the vehicle will tell you if everything is working properly. That is absolutely false.

A scan tool will only identify faults if the system has detected a problem, and that often requires the system to first be operated under the right conditions. If you never reach the speed, distance, or environmental triggers needed to activate a system, it may never set a DTC, even if something is wrong.

So, researching and understanding test drives are critical to a safe and proper repair.

And finally, we need to talk about documentation.

As test drives become more complex, documenting them becomes more important. I’ve seen shops mount GoPro cameras on windshields to capture the entire drive, including speed, set conditions, and system behavior. There are also software solutions available that help track and record these details.

Why does this matter? Because if a question ever arises — whether from a customer, an insurer, or a liability standpoint — you need to be able to demonstrate that you followed the required procedures and verified the repair.

At the end of the day, the test drive is no longer a simple loop around the block. It’s a structured, intentional process that plays a critical role in ensuring a safe and proper repair. If we don’t approach it that way, we’re not just missing steps; we’re putting outcomes at risk.