The Australian Racing Drivers Club

For members and guests

Starting Out: Car Racing Licences

In Australia, there are two main sanctioning bodies that issue car competition licences: Motorsport Australia (MA) and the Australian Auto-Sport Alliance (AASA).
Both provide pathways for competitors from grassroots events through to national-level racing, with licences tailored to different disciplines like circuit, rally, drifting, off road and motorkhana.

Entry-Level and Speed Licences

Motorsport Australia

  • Speed and Speed Junior are the entry-level options.
  • Speed Junior licences are available from age 12, though under-14 competitors are limited to non-speed events such as motorkhanas and trials.
  • From 14 years and up, juniors can compete in speed events including sprints, drifting and rallycross.
  • Requirements:
    • Current club membership
    • Completed application
    • Medical statement

AASA

  • AASA’s equivalent is the Club Racing Licence (minimum age 14), which covers sprints, drifting, time attack and similar events.
  • Juniors from 12 years can apply for a Junior Licence for non-speed events and supervised speed activities.
  • Applications are completed online and generally require only a self-declared medical.

For many competitors, these entry-level licences are all they’ll ever need.

Circuit Racing Licences

Motorsport Australia

  • To race wheel-to-wheel, you’ll need a Circuit licence.
  • Requirements:
    • Circuit race licence lecture
    • Medical examination
    • Observed Licence Test (OLT) assessing driving style, ability and attitude
  • OLT exemptions apply if you have:
    • Competed in five or more MA supersprints or regularity events in the past two years, or
    • Hold an Australian Karting Association Grade B licence or higher
  • Licences start provisional until you complete three circuit race events to the satisfaction of the Clerk of Course.
  • Top-level categories, such as Supercars, require an Australian Superlicence.
  • MA also issues five grades of international licences, covering everything up to Formula 1.

AASA

  • AASA offers the National Racing Licence, which allows participation in circuit racing events under AASA sanction.
  • Applicants must complete a medical examination. An observed test may be required depending on prior experience.
  • Provisional licences can be issued for newcomers, stepping up once they’ve demonstrated competency.

Rally and Off Road Licences

Motorsport Australia

  • Rally and off road each require their own licences, available from club level through to national.
  • Requirements include:
    • Online lecture
    • Medical examination
    • Observed Licence Test (OLT) for drivers (not required for navigators)
  • National Rally licences are mandatory for tarmac rally competitions, along with completion of the Motorsport Australia Online Tarmac Rally Safety Course, accessible via the Member Portal.

AASA

  • AASA issues a Rally Licence and Off Road Licence at both state and national levels.
  • Requirements vary by discipline, but typically include an online application and medical declaration.
  • Navigators are not required to undertake an OLT.

Other Licence Types

  • Motorkhana/KhANACROSS: Both Motorsport Australia and AASA provide specific entry-level licences for motorkhana and khanacross competitors, often available as day licences for newcomers.
  • One Event Licences: AASA offers single-event licences online, while Motorsport Australia offers similar event-based permits through affiliated clubs fortheir days. These are a good way to try motorsport before committing to an annual licence.

Safety First

Both Motorsport Australia and AASA place safety as their top priority. Event-specific safety requirements are provided through your chosen club when you register.

Motorsport Licence Options at a Glance

Motorsport Australia vs AASA

Entry Level / Speed

🟢 Motorsport Australia

  • Speed Licence (14+)
  • Junior Speed (12+, non-speed until 14)
  • Requires: Car club + medical statement

🔵 AASA

  • Club Racing Licence (14+)
  • Junior Licence (12+)
  • Requires: Online application + self-declared medical

Circuit Racing

🟢 Motorsport Australia

  • Circuit Licence (lecture + medical + OLT)
  • Provisional until 3 races complete
  • FIA pathway: Superlicence + International licences

🔵 AASA

  • National Racing Licence (medical, sometimes OLT)
  • Provisional available
  • No FIA pathway

Rally & Off Road

🟢 Motorsport Australia

  • Rally/Off Road Licences (club to national)
  • Requires: online lecture + OLT + medical
  • Tarmac Rally: National Rally Licence + Online Safety Course

🔵 AASA

  • Rally/Off Road Licences (state and national)
  • Requires: online application + medical declaration
  • Navigators don’t need OLT

Motorkhana / Khanacross

  • Both MA and AASA: Junior licences from 12+, day licences available

Section 5: One-Event Options

🟢 MA: Available through affiliated clubs
🔵 AASA: Online purchase

Motorsport Australia Licencing page – CLICK HERE

AASA Licencing Page – CLICK HERE