How to Get Your SCCA Race License and Start Racing
To start racing with the SCCA, the first step is to join the club and become a member. Once you’re a member, you’ll need to acquire the necessary safety gear—including a certified helmet, fire-resistant suit, gloves, and shoes—and prepare an SCCA-legal race car that meets the club’s safety and technical regulations.
Next, you’ll attend an SCCA Driver’s School, a structured program designed to teach foundational racing skills, car control, track etiquette, and safety procedures. Successfully completing the Driver’s School allows you to apply for a Novice Permit, which gives you limited permission to participate in supervised SCCA races.
After obtaining a Novice Permit, you’ll gain experience by attending a few Club Race Experience weekends, where you’ll run on track under the guidance of instructors and with other novice drivers. These events help you build confidence, develop racecraft, and learn the nuances of wheel-to-wheel competition in a controlled, safe environment.
Once you have sufficient track experience, demonstrated skill, and confidence on the course, you can apply for a full Competition License. This license grants you the ability to compete in official SCCA races, including both sprint and endurance events, and is recognized across most SCCA-sanctioned programs.
From there, the world of SCCA road racing opens up: you can participate in regional races, endurance events, and even work toward national championships, all while continuing to refine your skills, strategy, and teamwork on and off the track.
Getting Started in SCCA Racing
Step 1 – Join the SCCA: Start by becoming an official SCCA member to gain access to events, licensing programs, and racing resources.
Step 2 – Gear Up and Prepare Your Car: Acquire all the required safety equipment, including a certified helmet, fire-resistant suit, gloves, and shoes. Make sure your race car meets SCCA safety and technical regulations before hitting the track.
Step 3 – Attend Driver’s School: Enroll in an SCCA Driver’s School to learn the fundamentals of racing skills, track etiquette, and car control. Gain hands-on experience under the guidance of certified instructors.
Step 4 – Earn a Novice Permit: After completing Driver’s School, apply for a Novice Permit, which allows you to participate in supervised race weekends and start building track experience.
Step 5 – Participate in Club Race Experiences: Join supervised race weekends to practice wheel-to-wheel racing, develop racecraft, and gain confidence in a safe, structured environment.
Step 6 – Apply for a Full Competition License: Once you’ve demonstrated skill and experience, apply for a full Competition License, enabling you to compete in official SCCA events, including sprints and endurance races.
Step 7 – Start Racing: Compete in regional events, endurance races, and national championships while continuing to refine your skills, strategy, and teamwork on and off the track.