Trackday licences

Author
Discussion

billflin

Original Poster:

159 posts

275 months

Wednesday 5th December 2001
quotequote all
Any idea whether you have to actually have a full driving license to drive at track days? And do passengers have to pay generally? Any help for this enthusiastic learner with a aston owning friend appreciated....

Neil Menzies

5,167 posts

291 months

Wednesday 5th December 2001
quotequote all
A lot of track days require a valid road licence, and they do check.
Insurance is up to you...

Greenv8s

30,479 posts

291 months

Wednesday 5th December 2001
quotequote all
quote:
Any idea whether you have to actually have a full driving license to drive at track days? And do passengers have to pay generally? Any help for this enthusiastic learner with a aston owning friend appreciated....


It wasn't always like this, but nowadays you usually need to show your driving license at registration. That isn't to say you can't find an organiser somewhere who doesn't require it. Passengers are usually charged a small fee for the day. This will sometimes get you a lunch too.

Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)

billflin

Original Poster:

159 posts

275 months

Wednesday 5th December 2001
quotequote all
So if I wack my L plates on the aston, would it be legal......? Tee hee.

adrianr

822 posts

291 months

Thursday 6th December 2001
quotequote all
It tends to be the circuits, rather than the organisers who insist on road licences, Octagon in particular are very fussy - at Brands Hatch, Snetterton, Silverstone and Oulton it's no licence, no drive.

Passengers are down to the organisers, although I avoid the ones that charge for this unless they are providing something, like lunch.

AdrianR

race

102 posts

275 months

Sunday 16th December 2001
quotequote all
Do you think there are enough companies doing track days?

fanjules

30 posts

282 months

Sunday 23rd December 2001
quotequote all
Bookatrack don't charge extra for passengers or even additional drivers.

They have the best website by far, also.

AndrewD

7,592 posts

291 months

Wednesday 2nd January 2002
quotequote all
Nice advertising Jules

Pete Cros

285 posts

286 months

Tuesday 8th January 2002
quotequote all
Octogon also require passengers to have a valid driving licence, something to do with the "no one under 16" requirement. Also, Bedford Autodrome now require a massive 75:00 GBP for a pit lane pass. The PLP allows acces to the pit lane, and to ride as a passenger. I think its called creative marketing. Best value passenger costs, Porsche Club GB, 5:00 gets you a wrist band on PCGB organised days, then ask around for rides, usually no problem finding obliging owners/drivers.

tvrmark

369 posts

277 months

Tuesday 8th January 2002
quotequote all
Bookatrack.com does not charge for passegers nor does The TVR Car Club for members £5 if not.

Mark

hertsbiker

6,372 posts

278 months

Thursday 24th January 2002
quotequote all
Can anyone explain the logic of needing a license? as we all know, holding a UK driving license does not equate to being a good driver ! surely as long as you can drive, that's all that matters?

Cotty

40,293 posts

291 months

Monday 28th January 2002
quotequote all
quote:

Can anyone explain the logic of needing a license? as we all know, holding a UK driving license does not equate to being a good driver ! surely as long as you can drive, that's all that matters?



Errr if somebody could drive why would they not have a licence, unless they were underage in which case I would not like to share track space with them.

Also I dont think you are allowed on track if you have a current ban running. Points are ok.

Paul


McNab

1,627 posts

281 months

Wednesday 20th February 2002
quotequote all
I was told this is all down to the danger of litigation. You can imagine the scenario:

High Court Judge: "You mean you allow people on your track who aren't even qualified to drive a car?"

Defending QC: "Er, yes m'lud, that is correct."

Award to plaintiff (injured in collision with unlicenced driver): £1,000,000 payable by trackday organiser.

That's Britain today...

MattC

266 posts

282 months

Wednesday 20th February 2002
quotequote all
quote:

Octogon also require passengers to have a valid driving licence, something to do with the "no one under 16" requirement.


Based on Brands last week, this driving licence requirement is not happening with passengers. I think the "under 16" rule is enforced like pubs do - my clearly adult passengers weren't asked for any proof.

Also, as far as we could tell, the main reason Brands looks at your licence is so that they have a unique ID for you, and can thus ban you from all their circuits whenever they feel like it!

p.s. 16-yr-olds can't have a UK licence, can they?!?

Pete Cros

285 posts

286 months

Friday 22nd February 2002
quotequote all
yes, that was a new twist at Brands Hatch last week. Anyone who goes off track, gets a black flag and warning. It happened to one driver that I know of on the day. He had all four wheels on the grass out of the hairpin. The second off, results in a ban from all Octogon owned tracks. The reason given was: Octogon are fed up with having their armco bent.