If you’re learning how to use QuickBooks Online or need a safe place to experiment with features, QuickBooks Test Drive is the perfect solution.
It provides access to a sample company file, allowing you to test workflows, explore features, and troubleshoot issues—without affecting real financial data.
Whether you’re a business owner, bookkeeper, or accountant, knowing how to access and use QuickBooks Test Drive can be incredibly valuable.
In this guide, we’ll explain what it is, how to access it, and the best ways to use it for learning and troubleshooting.
What Is QuickBooks Test Drive?
QuickBooks Test Drive is a free, interactive demo version of QuickBooks Online.
It allows users to explore features, practice transactions, and test settings in a risk-free environment.
Unlike a trial account, QuickBooks Test Drive:
- Does not require a subscription.
- Does not save data (it resets each time you log in).
- Provides a preloaded sample company file so you can practice bookkeeping tasks.
Check out QuickBooks Test Drive Here.
How to Access QuickBooks Test Drive
There are two primary ways to access QuickBooks Test Drive—through Google search or directly from within QuickBooks Online Accountant.
Method 1: Accessing via Google Search
The easiest way to access QuickBooks Test Drive is through a quick Google search.
- Open your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.).
- Type “QuickBooks Online Test Drive” into Google and press enter.
- Click on the official Intuit link that leads to the sample company file.
- Select the correct test drive version:
- QuickBooks Online Plus – The standard version most businesses use.
- QuickBooks Online Advanced – For businesses needing more complex features.
- You’re in! You’ll see a sample company file (usually “Craig’s Design & Landscaping”).
💡 Tip: Bookmark the QuickBooks Test Drive link so you can easily return to it whenever you need to test something.
Method 2: Accessing from QuickBooks Online Accountant
If you’re an accountant or bookkeeper, you can access QuickBooks Test Drive directly from your QuickBooks Online Accountant dashboard.
- Log into QuickBooks Online Accountant.
- Go to your client list.
- Click on the gear icon (⚙) in the upper-right corner.
- Under the “Your Company” section, select “Sample Company.”
- Confirm that you want to sign out of your current account.
- You’ll be redirected to Craig’s Design & Landscaping, the sample QuickBooks company.
This method is better for Accountant users because it gives you access to the Accountant’s Toolbox, which provides additional bookkeeping tools.
What You Can Do in QuickBooks Test Drive
Now that you’re in the QuickBooks Test Drive environment, what can you do?
Test Transactions Without Risk
Since this is a sample company file, nothing you do will impact real financial data. Try:
- Creating and deleting invoices.
- Recording expenses and payments.
- Creating recurring transactions.
- Playing around with progress invoicing.
Experiment with Features Before Using Them in Your Live File
Not sure how a feature works? Try it in the test drive before using it on your real books. You can:
- Set up budgets.
- Apply sales tax settings.
- Create custom reports.
Train Employees or Clients on QuickBooks
If you’re training someone on QuickBooks, Test Drive is the perfect sandbox environment.
- Walk through how to create invoices, manage expenses, or generate reports without risk.
- Reset the file whenever you need a fresh start.
Explore the Accountant’s Toolbox (For Bookkeepers & Accountants)
If you access the Test Drive through QuickBooks Online Accountant, you’ll have access to the Accountant’s Toolbox, which includes:
- Reclassification tools
- Journal entry options
- Trial balance reports
This makes it a great place to test accounting adjustments before applying them in real client files.
Limitations of QuickBooks Test Drive
While QuickBooks Test Drive is a fantastic tool, it does have some limitations:
- No saved data – Each time you log out, all changes are erased.
- Limited integrations – You can’t test third-party app connections.
- No access to live banking feeds – Bank connections and syncing are disabled.
- Restricted features in some versions – Some settings (like payroll) may not be available.
💡 Workaround: If you need to test more advanced features, consider signing up for a free QuickBooks Online trial, which allows real data entry.
Who Should Use QuickBooks Test Drive?
QuickBooks Test Drive is helpful for:
- New QuickBooks users who want to explore the software before subscribing.
- Business owners who need a safe space to practice transactions.
- Bookkeepers & accountants who want to test features without affecting client files.
- Trainers & educators who use it for QuickBooks tutorials and live demonstrations.
Whether you’re learning, training, or troubleshooting, QuickBooks Test Drive is an invaluable resource for mastering QuickBooks Online.
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Use QuickBooks Test Drive
If you’ve ever hesitated before clicking a button in QuickBooks, wondering what it might do to your real financials, QuickBooks Test Drive is the perfect place to experiment.
With a preloaded sample company file, you can practice transactions, test reports, and troubleshoot issues—without any risk.
Key Takeaways:
- QuickBooks Test Drive is a free tool for exploring QuickBooks Online.
- You can access it via Google search or through QuickBooks Online Accountant.
- It’s perfect for testing features, training employees, and troubleshooting issues.
- Bookkeepers and accountants can access additional tools through the Accountant’s Toolbox.
- All changes reset upon logout, so no data is permanently saved.
If you need hands-on experience with QuickBooks Online, there’s no better place to start than QuickBooks Test Drive!
Watch the videos below to see how to access QuickBooks Test Drive:
