There are different levels of Motorsport Australia licences required for competitive use, depending on the type of competition you want to enter.

Competition events range from entry-level to international, with separate licences for rally and off road.

Regardless of the type of licence required, you need to join a Motorsport Australia Affiliated Car Club, which also provides access to events and can be a great source of advice and support for entry-level competitors.

The most basic Motorsport Australia licences are Speed and Speed Junior. The latter is available from the age of 12, but competitors under the age of 14 are limited to non-speed events such as motorkhanas and trials.

From the age of 14, competitors can compete in speed events such as sprints, drifting and rallycross.

Speed licences require a current car club membership, an application and a medical statement to be completed. For many competitors, a Speed licence is all they’ll ever require.

Those wishing to go racing on a circuit will need to upgrade to a Circuit licence.

A Circuit licence requires a circuit race licence lecture in addition to a medical examination and an observed licence test known as an OLT, where the applicant’s driving style, ability and attitude will be evaluated.

An OLT is not required if an applicant has competed in at least five Motorsport Australia supersprint or regularity events in the previous two years (or if they currently hold an Australian Karting Association Grade B licence or higher).

Circuit licences are provisional until the participant has completed three Motorsport Australia circuit race events to the satisfaction of the Clerk of Course running the event.

Supercars drivers are required to satisfy the requirements for an Australian Superlicence.

There are five different grades of international licence qualifying drivers for everything up to and including Formula 1.

Rally and off road each have their own licences, which require an online lecture, OLT and medical examination. These are offered at different levels to suit your desired competition and budget, from Club Off Road to National Rally.

Applicants who wish to navigate only do not require an OLT.

A National Rally licence is also required for tarmac rally competitions, as well as the completion of the Motorsport Australia Online Tarmac Rally Safety Course which can be accessed via the Member Portal.

To get started, you’ll need a Motorsport Australia competition licence and to join a Motorsport Australia Affiliated car club.

Safety is Motorsport Australia’s number one priority and event-specific safety requirements will be available through your club upon registration.