A Speed Licence is a competition licence issued by Motorsport Australia that allows drivers to participate in a wide variety of timed and skill-based motoring events.
The licence is perfect for newcomers and is designed for people who want to have a go and test their vehicle’s performance and their driving ability. Commitment is low as is the pressure to perform because you’re only competing against the clock, rather than racing alongside other competitors.
Your age matters. Competitors aged 12 and 13 can get started with an Auto Test Junior licence, which allows younger competitors to participate in low-speed disciplines such as motorkhanas and khanacrosses.
Once aged 14, a younger competitor can then apply for a Speed Junior Licence, which allows them to participate in all Auto Test events, as well as higher-speed disciplines like hill climbs, supersprints, regularity and autocross.
That step up means junior competitors may gradually build their skills and confidence behind the wheel before stepping into faster Speed disciplines in a structured and safe environment.
With a Speed Licence, competitors from the age of 14 can enter Speed Events such as Regularity trials, Sprints/Supersprints, Hill Climbs and Drifting, where the focus is on achieving quick times or demonstrating car control.
These events are time based, with a focus on precision, consistency and speed without direct side-by-side racing.
The licence also includes Auto Test and Non-Competitive events. Auto Test events include motorsport types like Observed Section Trials, Motorkhana and Khanacross, which are held on smaller sites and emphasise manoeuvrability and skill over outright pace.
For those new to motorsport, Motorsport Australia’s Single Event Speed Licence is an affordable, flexible option that permits participation in one Speed event during a 12-month period.
This is ideal for first-timers who want to try a Speed event before committing to an annual licence. It’s the ultimate try-before-you-buy option.
Applications for a Single Event Licence can be lodged before or on the day of the event via the Motorsport Australia Member Portal.
Check out the Motorsport Australia event calendar to see what Speed events are coming up.
To obtain either licence, applicants generally need to be members of a Motorsport Australia-affiliated car club and complete the appropriate forms.
If using a Single Event Speed Licence, participants don’t require a car club membership. A club membership is required, however, if they choose to upgrade to an annual licence.
Once issued, the Speed Licence opens the door to many grassroots motorsport opportunities, helping build skills and confidence in a structured, safe competition environment.
