ARDS

ARDS stands for the Association of Racing Driver Schools. It is a Motorsport UK-recognised collection of race schools that train and test prospective competitors to ensure their suitability for holding a Motorsport UK competition licence.

There are 13 member schools who run the Novice Driver Training Course, often referred to as the ARDS course. It’s a good idea to complete a track day at your chosen ARDS venue before booking your test, although you can complete the test as a total novice, with most schools offering training packages for those who have never been on track before. For more information about ARDS schools and licenced instructors, please click here.

You can complete the course at any school of your choice, so just use the map below to pick the one that is right for you and get in touch.

Choose Your School

1. Anglesey Performance Driving Centre
2. Castle Combe Racing School
3. Croft Promosport
4. Knockhill Racing Drivers School
5. Goodwood Motor Circuit
6. MotorSport Vision Brands Hatch
7. MotorSport Vision Cadwell Park
8. MotorSport Vision Oulton Park
9. MotorSport Vision Snetterton
10. Silverstone Motorsport Academy
11. MotorSport Vision Donington Park
12. Thruxton Motorsport Centre
13. The Motorsports School (Mallory Park)

ARDS Course – What to expect

The exact format of the course can vary from school to school, but a typical day includes several key stages.

1. Welcome Briefing
   The ARDS examiners will start the day by welcoming you and your fellow candidates to the school and briefing you on how the day will proceed. This will also include some guidance on what to expect at your first race meeting once you have completed the course.
2. Safety
   Safety is always the overriding consideration in motorsport, so expect a good deal of time to be spent covering this vital topic on the day. Make sure to watch our instructional film before completing your course so that is it fresh in your mind before you complete the course.
3. Written Test
   You will need to sit a 30-minute written test in a classroom environment. This test will cover the relevant section of the Motorsport UK Yearbook: Section Q, Circuit Racing. It will also test your knowledge of the various flags used to communicate important safety information and instructions to competitors out on track. These flags are detailed here and your knowledge of them will need to be 100 per cent accurate to pass the course.
4. Track Test
   In addition to the written test you will head out on track with an ARDS examiner in a road car. The examiner will evaluate your ability to lap the circuit in a safe and controlled manner, using the appropriate racing line. There may be other cars on the track at the same time, so you must also demonstrate your ability to circulate among ‘traffic’.
   Remember, this is not a test of your speed and skill; it is a test of your competency.
5. Debrief
   The final step is to debrief with your ARDS Examiner who will stamp and sign your application form if you pass the course successfully. Once stamped, you can then compete and return your form to Motorsport UK to receive your first competition licence.