Have you ever seen a Tesla driving down the road and wondered what it was like to drive one? Well, you can find out! If you have a Tesla dealership within a reasonable distance, schedule a test drive to find out.

What does driving a Tesla feel like?

First things first: schedule your test drive! You can schedule a contactless test drive at your local dealership on the Tesla website. You need a valid driver’s license and insurance to get behind the wheel. Put in your personal information and hit submit.

Depending on the availability, you can drive a Model 3, a Model Y, a Model X, or even a Model S. Soon enough, you will get a text from an adviser offering a test drive.

You can narrow down the specifics once the Tesla sales adviser texts you. Pick a day and time that works for you, and get ready to drive! The test drives are generally 30 minutes. Tesla asks that you not put more than 20 miles on the car.

Tesla offers a trade-in value for your current car if you want. By the end of the test drive, the adviser will have a value and will help price out the Tesla of your choice, should you want one.

Getting behind the wheel of a Tesla EV

Once your insurance and license are validated, your adviser will walk you to a car. The door opening is a bit funky, so the individual will help get the door open and turn the car on. Once behind the wheel, you can adjust the mirrors and seat using the touchpad and buttons.

At this point, the adviser is there to help. Under normal circumstances, the staff member would drive with you. During the pandemic, you are on your own. You can bring a passenger if you would like.

The screen is large but reasonably intuitive. You can use menus along the left side to adjust the horn, mirrors, braking, and other essential features.

You will even shift into gear using the touch screen in the new Model X and Model S. The screen seems intimidating initially, but it is like using a new phone. You get used to it and find your way around.

Driving your Tesla on the road

One of the more complicated things to get used to is how the Tesla brakes when you let off the gas. This is called regenerative braking. You can change this setting on the screen by moving it from “standard” to “low,” but it is an exciting feature.

Driving the Tesla electric vehicle is similar to driving a regular gasoline car and nothing like driving a gasoline-powered car simultaneously. It isn’t hard to get used to or like driving a golf cart, but it is different. Backing out of a spot shows cameras all around. Cameras are on the back and the two side mirrors so you can see all around you. It makes backing out of tight spots seem pretty straightforward.

The acceleration is smooth and fast but not jerky, like some internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. It feels like a pleasant spaceship ride through 5 o’clock traffic. The drive goes pretty quickly when driving is this much fun. With only 30 minutes, you can’t get too far. Just far enough to want to take home your new Tesla.