{"id":3020,"date":"2022-02-19T09:53:37","date_gmt":"2022-02-19T09:53:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/motorracingsports.com\/?p=3020"},"modified":"2022-02-19T09:53:42","modified_gmt":"2022-02-19T09:53:42","slug":"do-you-need-a-state-driving-license-to-drive-nascar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/motorracingsports.com\/do-you-need-a-state-driving-license-to-drive-nascar\/","title":{"rendered":"Do You Need A State Driving License To Drive NASCAR?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Motorsports like NASCAR, Formula 1, IndyCar, Rally and others are all considered the \u201cpinnacle\u201d of driving skill and ability of different sorts. Each is different enough to warrant its own unique area of skill, but they all have one axiomatic thing in common<\/strong> — you have to be a damned good driver in order to excel in any of these events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n NASCAR Licensing requirements do not require drivers to hold a state driving license. NASCAR has a set structure to meet before drivers will be considered across all series. These requirements include, being over 16 (18 for Cup drivers), medical tests, car handling tests, demonstrable racing experience and more.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, how does one prove themself to be a competent driver if they want to compete in something like NASCAR? If you were to imagine what the most basic requirement would be of any prospective NASCAR driver, what would it be? If you said, \u201cthe driver should at least hold a valid state driver\u2019s license\u201d then you answered the same way as countless others would.<\/strong> It may shock you to learn, therefore, that NASCAR drivers do NOT<\/strong> require a valid state driver\u2019s license in order to race. Of course, if they are going to drive on public roads, they need one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, they are. Since NASCAR drivers have to be 18 years of age to race full-time (see below for more), we can assume that many of them have also acquired a state driving license, but of course that isn\u2019t a prerequisite for NASCAR driving.<\/strong> Instead, they have to apply for a special dispensation to drive in NASCAR races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These licenses are issued only by NASCAR headquarters or one of their licensed tracks. It\u2019s not just the drivers who are licensed, either. Everyone on a NASCAR team carries a special license to match the work they do.<\/strong> The idea is to ensure that everyone is adhering to the highest-possible standards at all times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ll cover the details of how NASCAR driver acquire these licenses in another article, but here are some of the important things to know about these NASCAR Licenses:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Holding a NASCAR license is as much about fitting a certain profile as it is about driving skill and experience. There are values and traits that they look for nowadays, such as young drivers who still pursue or prioritize educational pursuits alongside their driving<\/strong>. Such things will also dictate the kinds of endorsements and sponsorships you can get.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The lack of a need for a state license would seem to open the sport up to people of all ages? As it happens, there is an age limit of 18 years old for the NASCAR Cup Series,<\/strong> but there are allowances for drivers as young as 16 to take part in NASCAR Trucks, but not full-time and with a slew of other restrictions on track length.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Still, here are some of the youngest NASCAR high achievers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other big names in the NASCAR field such as Trevor Bayne (winner of 2011 Daytona 500 at age 21), Darrell \u201cBubba\u201d Wallace<\/a> and Kyle Larson<\/a> all got their first big breaks at very young ages.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Another big NASCAR story was that of then 17-year-old Harrison Burton<\/a> who made a big splash on the NASCAR Trucks scene in 2017, a full year or more before he was qualified to race full-time for NASCAR. After turning 18 in October 2018, however, he joined the NASCAR Cup Series full time where he now drives the No. 21 Ford Mustang for Wood Brothers Racing <\/strong>and just came third in the Daytona Duels is his first time out since the Los Angeles Coliseum Clash. (where he finished 12th) (February 2022)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes. It may come as no surprise that all of the pinnacle motorsports require their drivers to hold some kind of related license in order to participate in that sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Formula 1 drivers get the rather specially named \u201cFIA Super Licence.\u201d <\/strong>That\u2019s not a typo, \u201clicence\u201d is the British\/European spelling of license and since the FIA operates primarily in French, that explains that. To get the Super Licence you have to be 18 or over, pass an FIA theory test, hold an existing and valid International Grade A competition license, and finally, perhaps most interestingly, hold a valid driver\u2019s license.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Rally drivers get their license either from the American Rally Association (ARA) or the National Auto Sport Association (NASA). The NASA one, for example, costs $49 for the annual membership, and then $85 for the license. <\/strong>There is some paperwork and a medical required. Rally drivers are licensed regionally in the US, either the Western Region or the Eastern Region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n IndyCar drivers do get licenses, too, but their licensing system is newer than the other sports. The sport previously drew all its candidates from Indy Lights, and also transfers from F1 and NASCAR. Top Indy Lights drivers, as well as F1 and NASCAR drivers can qualify automatically, <\/strong>but other drivers may have to undergo additional training and learning before being allowed to compete in IndyCar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re wondering how drivers get a NASCAR license, we\u2019ll cover that in more detail in a separate article here<\/a>. In short, it involves proof of experience, cash fees, and even possibly attendance at NASCAR driving schools. We\u2019ll cover more in our next piece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ll be taking a deeper dive into the reasons for this in this article, looking at why it is that even this basic driving credential is not required.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAre NASCAR Drivers Licensed?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Who Are the Youngest NASCAR Drivers of All Time?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Do Other Motorsports Require a Driving License?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Formula 1 Driving License<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Rally Championship Driving License<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
IndyCar Driving License<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Read On: How Do NASCAR Drivers Get Licensed?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n