Clubman Licence Motorsport: What It Is, What It Costs and How to Get One

A Clubman licence is a Motorsport UK competition licence that lets you enter grassroots, non-race events — things like autotests, autosolos, sprints, hill climbs, car trials, road rallies and 12-car navigational rallies. It is the entry-level step into organised, timed motorsport, it does not require any medical or on-track test, and for many disciplines it is either very cheap or available free. If you have been watching events and want to actually take part, the Clubman licence is usually the first piece of paper you need.

The important thing to understand up front: "clubman licence motorsport" is not the same as a race licence. A Clubman licence covers speed and non-speed events where you are not wheel-to-wheel with other cars. The moment you want to race door-to-door on a circuit, you need a different licence (an RS Clubman / Inter-Club race licence) which does involve an ARDS test and a medical. We will explain exactly where the line sits below.

What is a Clubman licence in motorsport?

Motorsport UK (the national governing body, formerly the MSA) issues all UK competition licences. The Clubman licence is the base tier. It is designed for club-level competitors taking part in events run by Motorsport UK-affiliated clubs, and it covers the disciplines where there is no direct contact between cars and no high-speed close racing.

Typically a Clubman licence (or the free Rally First / RS InterClub entry routes within it) allows you to enter:

• Autotests and autosolos — low-speed precision driving against the clock in a car park or field
• Car trials and production car trials — driving as far as possible up a muddy, slippery section
• Sprints and hill climbs — solo timed runs up a course or against the clock on a circuit
• Road rallies and navigational rallies, including 12-car rallies
• Treasure hunts and scenic tours (many of which need no licence at all)

You can browse what is actually running in each of these categories on the motorsport calendar and filter by venue on the event map.

Do you even need a Clubman licence?

This is where people waste money. A lot of true grassroots motorsport can be done on a free "Clubman" (RS Clubman/Rally First) licence that you print at home, and some entry-level events need no licence at all beyond club membership.

Motorsport UK's general structure works roughly like this:

What you want to do	Licence you typically need	Test or medical?
Treasure hunt, scenic tour, some autotests	Often club membership only	No
Autotest, autosolo, car trial, 12-car, road rally	Free Motorsport UK RS Clubman licence	No
Sprints and hill climbs	Non-Race National or Clubman speed licence	No on-track test (medical may apply for higher grades)
Circuit racing (wheel-to-wheel)	RS Clubman / Inter-Club race licence	Yes — ARDS test + medical

In other words, the word "Clubman" gets used two ways: as the free, no-test base licence for non-race events, and as the first rung of the race licence ladder. If you only intend to do autotests or a 12-car, you almost certainly need the free version. If you want to go circuit racing, you are on the paid race-licence path — our guide to becoming a racing driver in the UK walks through that route in full.

How much does a Clubman licence cost?

The free Motorsport UK Clubman/RS Clubman non-race licence costs £0 — you register through the Motorsport UK website or app and download it. That is deliberate: the governing body wants to lower the barrier for people trying club motorsport for the first time.

Where costs do appear:

• Club membership — you must be a member of the organising club to enter most events. This is typically around £20–£40 a year, varying by club.
• Paid speed licences — higher-grade licences for sprints and hill climbs carry an annual fee. Check the current figures on the Motorsport UK site, as they are reviewed each year.
• Race licences — if you progress to circuit racing, expect to pay for the licence plus the ARDS test and medical. We break the real numbers down in what an ARDS test actually costs in 2026.

Fees change annually, so always confirm the exact figure with Motorsport UK before you budget. If a page quotes you a number without a date, treat it with caution.

How to get a Clubman licence, step by step

1. Create a Motorsport UK account. Use the Motorsport UK website or the official app to register your details.
2. Choose the right licence for your discipline. For autotests, trials, road rallies and 12-cars, select the free non-race (RS Clubman / Rally First) option. For sprints and hill climbs, check whether the event's regulations require a speed licence grade.
3. Join an affiliated club. You cannot usually enter an event without being a member of the organising (or an inviting) club. Pick a local club that runs the events you want — many run multiple disciplines.
4. Download and carry your licence. The digital licence lives in your Motorsport UK account; have it available at sign-on.
5. Enter an event. Find something near you, check the supplementary regulations (the "SRs"), and submit your entry. Our walkthrough on how to enter your first motorsport event covers the sign-on and scrutineering process so nothing catches you out.

Read the event's supplementary regulations before you enter. They state exactly which licence grade, club membership and car requirements apply — and they override any general advice, including ours.

Clubman licence vs race licence: where the line is

The simplest test: are you going to be on a circuit at the same time as other cars, racing them? If yes, you need a race licence, an ARDS test and a medical. If you are doing solo timed runs (sprint, hill climb) or low-speed/navigational club events, the Clubman route covers you with no on-track test.

A common point of confusion is track days. A track day is not a competition, so it does not need any competition licence at all — see do I need a licence for a track day. A Clubman licence is only relevant once you enter an organised, timed, club-run competition.

What car do you need?

For most Clubman-level events you can use a standard road car with a valid MOT, tax and insurance, plus basic safety kit depending on the discipline (a helmet is commonly required for speed events). Autotests, trials and road rallies are famously accessible — people genuinely turn up in daily-driver hatchbacks.

As you get more serious and move toward circuit racing, the engineering and preparation step up sharply. If you eventually build a competition car, it is worth understanding how a reliable, regulation-legal engine is put together — the GMR guide to club racing engine parts is a good primer — but none of that is needed to get started on a Clubman licence.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Clubman licence free?

The entry-level Motorsport UK non-race Clubman/RS Clubman licence is free to register and download. You will still usually need to pay for membership of the organising club (often around £20–£40 a year) and for event entry fees. Paid speed and race licences carry additional annual fees.

Do I need an ARDS test for a Clubman licence?

No. The ARDS test is only required for circuit racing licences. Non-race Clubman events — autotests, sprints, hill climbs, trials, road rallies and 12-cars — do not require an ARDS test or an on-track assessment.

What age do you need to be for a Clubman licence?

Minimum ages vary by discipline, with several junior and youth routes available (for example junior autotests and karting). Check the specific minimum age in the regulations for the event and class you want to enter, as Motorsport UK sets these per discipline.

What is the easiest motorsport to start with on a Clubman licence?

Autotests, autosolos and 12-car rallies are the most accessible and cheapest to try. They need minimal car preparation, a free licence and local club membership, and they are built around welcoming newcomers.

Finding your first event

Once your licence is sorted and you have joined a club, the hard part is simply knowing what is on and where. You can search every UK motorsport event in one place, filter by discipline and venue, and check dates so you can plan your first entry around something close to home. Start small, read the regs, and build up — that is exactly how most UK competitors began.