Getting Started

Driver's School

SAN FRANCISCO REGION’S ONCE-A-YEAR COMPETITION LICENSING SCHOOL

February 20 – 21, 2026
THUNDERHILL RACEWAY PARK.
2026 Entry fees $1270

This year, we will kick off our school at noon on Friday with one‑on‑one time with your instructor and track “driver arounds,” followed by dinner with your instructor to discuss how SFR can help you reach your road racing goals. Students will then follow our proven program, which includes on‑track training with nationally licensed drivers, practice starts and races, and personal download sessions to review each driving session. Ground school will be completed in advance through an online class to be finished before the school weekend. Upon successful completion of the school, students receive an SCCA Novice Permit, allowing them to enter SCCA Regional Road Racing events anywhere in the United States.

If you have previous competitive racing (not track day) experience, you may be able to skip the school: Waiver Process for those with previous racing experience

Let's go...

1. Join SCCA if you are not already a member, join online at the National SCCA web page.
2. Sign up for Driver’s School on MotorsportReg.

3. Get safety gear. You’ll need:
- Helmet with a Snell sticker of 2025 or later
- Head and Neck Restraints meeting SFI 38.1 or FIA 8858
- One-piece driver’s suit that covers the entire body from the neck to the ankles and wrists. All suits must have an SFI 3.2A/1 (or FIA 1986 Standard) or higher, underwear of fire-resistant material unless you have a driver’s suit SFI 3.2A/5 or higher.
- Gloves, driving shoes and socks made of fire-resistant material
- Arm Restraints are required for open cockpit cars (formula cars, sports racers, & Spec Racer Fords)

You can get all the gear you need locally at Wine Country Motorsports at Sonoma Raceway or online from many racing equipment vendors.

If you wish to rent safety gear instead of buying, we have arranged a discount with Race Suit Rental. https://racesuitrental.com/rent_gear.html
You will need everything in the Complete Drivers Rental Package. Do not add Nomex socks although they are required for drivers school.

After you purchase the rental package, email them at: Sales@racesuitrentals.com with your name, order #, sock size and Driver’s School dates asking for the SF Region Drivers School Discount. They should add socks for no charge. This is also a great way to try and buy if you like what they rent.

4. Get a race car.
- You can rent a race car from many local race prep shops. Renting a car makes your school days easier since the renter prepares the car for school (including going through Tech) and takes care of the car during the school so you can concentrate on driving (and getting an occasional rest break).
- If you own or have access to a race car, you need to make sure it meets all the SCCA safety requirements. Contact us to arrange a tech inspection, or reach out to our Travel Tech volunteers to have your car inspected.

5. Show up for Driver’s School
- The format of Driver’s School is a series of on-track sessions and off-track classroom sessions. Classroom sessions cover rules of the road, passing, flags, race craft, qualifying, race formats, safety and other topics. Your on-track sessions are where you’ll practice these skills.
- Friday: Registration, tech inspection, meet and greet, classroom sessions and instructor/student drive arounds, followed by dinner.
- Saturday: Instructor/Student drive arounds, alternating on-track and classroom sessions, lunch, social event, dinner, and early bedtime.
- Sunday: Practice, qualifying, lunch, then TWO races. Congratulations — you graduate!

6. Getting Your Novice License.

After you register for Driver’s School, you should start on getting your racing license. Here’s how.

Fill out the Novice Permit Application
Schedule your physical and have your doctor complete the SCCA Physical Form
Submit your application and physical form through your SCCA member portal or email them to membership@scca.com
About three weeks later, you will receive your Novice Permit and a current GCR (General Competition Rules) book
Check the racing schedule and add events to your calendar
About 45 days before each event, sign up on MotorsportReg https://www.motorsportreg.com/

If you have any questions, please contact:

Dottie Quimby
dottie@sfrscca.org
530-934-7275
530-934-4455 ext 101

See you on track!
San Francisco Region SCCA