UK Racing licence - when is it best to get?

[Allfatherodin]

Hello,

So I've noticed that the MSA racing licence is valid for 12months; January to December.
Is this correct?
If so, does that mean I need to pay to renew the licence every January? Or can I keep it as long as I do a certain amount of competitive races?

Apparently 3days of research has found nothing that's a straightforward answer.
Essentially, can anybody help me in what exactly I need to do once I get the licence in order to maintain its validity?

Thank you!

[RichUK]

Your licence is valid from the 1st of January each year, so if you apply now you'd need to renew it for 2018.

If you don't need it this year, then you can wait and apply for a 2018 licence. Caught me out when I started racing and needed my first licence for November and then had to renew again two months later.

[Allfatherodin]

That really sucks.. wow.
Righty then, I'll save a bit of money and wait until 2018.
I assume you pay each year too?

[andrewcliffe]

Yes, you are applying for a licence for the 2017 season, valid until last day of December. The 2018 license runs from 1st January.

For those already with a licence you can make a medical stretch two years if you renew as soon as the form comes through.

[ginettajoe]

Allfatherodin said:

That really sucks.. wow.
Righty then, I'll save a bit of money and wait until 2018.
I assume you pay each year too?

Will this be your first race licence? Have you completed an ARDS course? Have you had a medical? How old are you?

[fat80b]

Allfatherodin said:

That really sucks.. wow.
Righty then, I'll save a bit of money and wait until 2018.
I assume you pay each year too?

Yes you do pay each year. In terms of when to get the license, it makes sense to get it in plenty of time before your first race / event.

If you are looking to enter an event in January for example, I would have thought it would be better to get it this year and then get a renewal in plenty of time rather than a new licence in the first week of Jan but that's just me....

Also- if you are worried about the annual cost of the license, you are probably in for a bit of a shock.

ards
helmet
hans
boots
suit
seats
belts
etc etc....

before you even consider the cost of the car, fuel, entries etc

....a few quid to have a license is the least of your worries.

Bob

[Allfatherodin]

Cheers for the insight everyone!

Not worried about cost at all (thankfully).

I just needed to know the general insight of getting things in place and getting everything in order so I know the exact process each year.

Thanks,
you've helped a lot!

[ginettajoe]

Allfatherodin said:

Cheers for the insight everyone!

Not worried about cost at all (thankfully).

I just needed to know the general insight of getting things in place and getting everything in order so I know the exact process each year.

Thanks,
you've helped a lot!

...... was my response invisible??

[MG CHRIS]

fat80b said:

Allfatherodin said:

That really sucks.. wow.
Righty then, I'll save a bit of money and wait until 2018.
I assume you pay each year too?

Yes you do pay each year. In terms of when to get the license, it makes sense to get it in plenty of time before your first race / event.

If you are looking to enter an event in January for example, I would have thought it would be better to get it this year and then get a renewal in plenty of time rather than a new licence in the first week of Jan but that's just me....

Also- if you are worried about the annual cost of the license, you are probably in for a bit of a shock.

ards
helmet
hans
boots
suit
seats
belts
etc etc....

before you even consider the cost of the car, fuel, entries etc

....a few quid to have a license is the least of your worries.

Bob

How much is the renewal cost anyway. Doing my ards test end of year ready for next year. My thinking was I will have enough to do to get car built over the winter along with getting a van and doing that out with for weekends away etc so get it out the way now.

[Allfatherodin]

ginettajoe said:

Will this be your first race licence? Have you completed an ARDS course? Have you had a medical? How old are you?

Sorry champ, still getting used to foruming. For me, It's something I've always wanted to do, so now I have the chance, trying to get as much info as possible.

First licence, have not done ARDS yet, and I am going to get my medical in a couple months time (as I will do the ARDS and get the licence in Jan/Feb time).

[Allfatherodin]

MG CHRIS said:

How much is the renewal cost anyway. Doing my ards test end of year ready for next year. My thinking was I will have enough to do to get car built over the winter along with getting a van and doing that out with for weekends away etc so get it out the way now.

Renewal costs are on the competition licence form, you pay for the most expensive and the others are discounted somewhat (as far as I can see)

[tapkaJohnD]

allfatherodin,

If you have been researching the licnece question for three days, you must have found this, the MSA page on competiton licences, includiig the phone number of the MSA Licensing Dept., who will answer every possible question you have.

https://www.msauk.org/Competitors/Competition-Lice...

John

[Allfatherodin]

tapkaJohnD said:

allfatherodin,

If you have been researching the licnece question for three days, you must have found this, the MSA page on competiton licences, includiig the phone number of the MSA Licensing Dept., who will answer every possible question you have.

https://www.msauk.org/Competitors/Competition-Lice...

John

Aye I did find this page, I thought calling was for applying instead of doing via online haha!
Cheers bud, I shall indeed give them a buzz after work!

[ginettajoe]

Allfatherodin said:

ginettajoe said:

Will this be your first race licence? Have you completed an ARDS course? Have you had a medical? How old are you?

Sorry champ, still getting used to foruming. For me, It's something I've always wanted to do, so now I have the chance, trying to get as much info as possible.

First licence, have not done ARDS yet, and I am going to get my medical in a couple months time (as I will do the ARDS and get the licence in Jan/Feb time).

Well, you can do your ARDS course in November, or December, and send the application after the beginning of December for your 2018 licence to start from the 1st January. The medical examination is valid for three months, so in other words, if your medical was carried out in October, you have until three months later to submit your application with your medical, if this makes sense. I have a Doctor in Sale, who will carry out your medical for £40, and I carry out ARDS courses at Anglesey, which is slightly more expensive than Oulton Park, but you will receive far more in the way of time on track, together with a comprehensive coaching session built in to the course!! We can provide the "Go Racing Pack" should you require it, and I would also take and process the necessary photographs included in the cost!

So, firstly you need the "Go Racing Pack", then book a medical, and then your ARDS course! The total cost would work out at £445, at this time, bearing in mind there would possibly be an increase after January. That would provide you with a National 'B' race licence. Once you are over the age of 45, you have to have a medical on an annual basis, but depending upon the date you apply for your licence, it is possible to have one medical cover two years! HTH

[steveavxt]

RichUK said:

Your licence is valid from the 1st of January each year, so if you apply now you'd need to renew it for 2018.

If you don't need it this year, then you can wait and apply for a 2018 licence. Caught me out when I started racing and needed my first licence for November and then had to renew again two months later.

I spoke to the MSA the other day about this and apparently you can apply from the 1st of October as long as you attach a note to your application stating you want a 2018 license. The only restriction (and the reason for 1st Oct) is that the 3 months validity on your medical must still be valid on the 1st Jan.

[Graham]

Allfatherodin said:

Not worried about cost at all (thankfully).

Can you adopt me then...


racing is life, everything else is just finding the money

[MWebby]

thought medicals were valid for 12 months : so you can potentially get 2 years on the back of 1 medical