Becoming a racing car driver, the profession that everyone dreams of
Short guide for those who want to become a racing car driver: requirements, ACI courses and medical examinations to obtain a sports license. The official way to realize the dream of racing on a track like a real motorsport driver. To many it may seem like an unattainable dream, but that of a sports car driver is a profession in all respects, with its own rules and entry criteria. And the truth is that obtaining an ACI Sport license to race on the track like a true professional is not a prohibitive goal reserved for a select few. Of course, it’s not even simple, but if you’ve always dreamed of being a pilot , it’s right that you give yourself a chance. Who knows, one day you could be the protagonist of a race on the track of the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, the Temple of Speed. This short article is intended to be a quick and easy guide to becoming a racing car driver by earning a sports license . Let’s go!
How does a Formula 1 driver train?
The requirements to become a car driver
An aspiring sports driver , by law, does not have to satisfy any particular requirements . All that is required is a minimum (and maximum) age and possession of a road driving license.
The age to become a pilot
As for the age requirement, you must be at least 18 years old and not older than 80 , the age limit beyond which you are considered no longer capable of driving a sports car on a professional circuit. A clarification, however, is a must. In fact, the minimum age is required for sports licenses , but getting behind the wheel is an activity that can be started at 6 years old (in the case of karts) or 15 years old (for sports cars on a closed circuit).
The driving license B
The second requirement is the possession of a type B driving licence , the one normally required for road circulation with vehicles that do not exceed 3.5T in weight. Obviously, if you have a higher level driving license, these are equally accepted.
Minimum age | Maximum age | Driving licence |
18 | 80 | Type B |
How do you become a car driver? The complete path
Do you meet both the age and driving license requirements? Well, then your journey towards acquiring a sports license can begin by submitting the appropriate application at the Sports Offices of the Automobile Club Italia (ACI) , which are present in every provincial capital .
The necessary documents
During the process of obtaining your driving license you will be asked for :
- Valid identity document ;
- ACI membership card;
- Certificate of psycho-physical fitness for competitive or non-competitive activity (issued after medical examination, to be carried out at an accredited Sports Medicine Center);
- Tetanus vaccination certificate;
- Payment of the license fee (see the updated ACI Sport price list and find out how much it costs to become a pilot).
The course for aspiring pilots
However, bureaucracy is not enough to become a pilot. It is also necessary to participate in the courses organized by the ACI , which are free, are activated throughout the year and require the issuance of a certificate. They are simple theoretical lessons, without final exams, aimed at explaining the basic rules of motor sports (here is the list of ACI courses scheduled for first licenses ). The main topics covered are:
- the sports system;
- the types of license;
- car approvals;
- the conduct of the competitions and the role of the professionals involved;
- the meaning of the flags displayed in the race;
- sanctions for technical and sporting irregularities and related complaints.
Track Days – Race on the Monza post office like a real driver
The original contents of this article are produced by an external service without any involvement of the press office of the Autodromo Nazionale Monza.