Guides · Karting · Checked 10 September 2026
Step by step
- 1
Try arrive-and-drive
Start with an arrive-and-drive session at a local indoor or outdoor track. If you like it, arrive-and-drive championships exist: indoor (British Indoor Karting Championship, K-I licence) and outdoor (e.g. Club100, free K-X licence).getstarted.motorsportuk.org
- 2
Visit a club and pick a class
Visit local kart clubs to see which classes suit you before you buy a kart or equipment. Classes are age-based, from Bambino (6–8) through Cadet, Junior and Senior.abkc.org.uk
- 3
Buy the first kart licence pack
Buy Motorsport UK's 'Your First Kart Competition Licence (ARKS)' pack. It includes the application form, a guide, digital Yearbook and film links, and your first Kart Inter Club licence fee.starterpacks.motorsportuk.org
- 4
Pass the ARKS test
Book the test with an ARKS member school or a club examiner. It has a written part and a practical driving assessment. ARKS says the test costs up to £100 including VAT, not including kart hire. Bring two photos of the driver, plus one of the parent if the driver is under 18.arks.co.uk
- 5
Apply for your licence
Send the stamped application to Motorsport UK within 12 months of passing. Drivers aged 14–59 need only a vision test for a first kart licence; applicants aged 60 or over need a medical and vision test. Under-18s need a parent or guardian with an Entrant PG licence.motorsportuk.org
- 6
Race with novice plates
Motorsport UK says: "For the first 6 events (five if you did the ARKS test) since obtaining your Kart licence, you will be racing with Novice number plates." Some smaller clubs run Super K-X events that need only a free RS Clubman licence plus an assessment at a practice day.getstarted.motorsportuk.org
The licence
Kart Inter Club
Motorsport UK Kart Inter Club licence (bought via the 'Your First Kart Competition Licence (ARKS)' starter pack)
Buy the starter pack, book and pass the ARKS test (multiple-choice theory paper plus practical on-track assessment) at an ARKS school or with a club examiner, then send the stamped application to Motorsport UK. You have 12 months after passing to apply. Under-18s also need a parent or guardian to hold an Entrant (PG) licence. Arrive-and-drive series use different licences: K-X (free, outdoor arrive-and-drive such as Club100) and K-I (indoor, British Indoor Karting Championship, part of TeamSport Elite Membership); neither needs the starter pack or ARKS test.
Starter pack £78 including the first Kart Inter Club licence fee (Motorsport UK Shop, checked 10 Sep 2026, listed as sold out). Motorsport UK licence page: Kart Inter Club £78, Kart Clubman £51, K-I £34.99, K-X free. No year printed on either page.
Official licence page · starterpacks.motorsportuk.orgKit you need
- Helmet — Must meet Motorsport UK regulations. Under-15s may only use a Snell CMR-type helmet (e.g. CMR2016) or the CMS equivalent. Motorcycle helmets are not permitted.abkc.org.uk
- Race suit — Overalls that are CIK-homologated, or a leather suit (Motorsport UK). ABKC says correct suits show Level 1 or 2 on the collar with the CIK/FIA date range.motorsportuk.org
- Gloves and boots — Listed as required personal safety equipment meeting Motorsport UK regulations.getstarted.motorsportuk.org
- Rib protector — Recommended by Motorsport UK. Club100 strongly recommends one for all drivers.motorsportuk.org
What it costs
| Item | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Your First Kart Competition Licence (ARKS) starter pack, includes first Kart Inter Club licence | £78 (Motorsport UK Shop, checked 10 Sep 2026; listed as sold out) | starterpacks.motorsportuk.org |
| ARKS test | Up to £100 including VAT, excluding kart hire; retakes up to £50 (written) or £60 (driving) | arks.co.uk |
| Kart Inter Club licence (annual) | £78 | getstarted.motorsportuk.org |
| Kart Clubman licence (Kart Endurance and Kart Tyro events) | £51 | getstarted.motorsportuk.org |
| K-I licence (indoor) | £34.99 | getstarted.motorsportuk.org |
| K-X licence (outdoor arrive-and-drive) | Free | getstarted.motorsportuk.org |
| Parent/guardian (PG) Entrant licence for under-18s | £30 | abkc.org.uk |
Published figures from the sources shown, checked on the date above. Prices change; confirm with the organiser before you book.
Your first event
Coming up: go and watch one first
Karting: questions people ask
How much does it cost to start karting in the UK?
An arrive-and-drive session is the cheapest taster. For club racing, Motorsport UK's first kart licence pack was £78 in September 2026, and the ARKS test costs up to £100 including VAT plus kart hire. A kart and safety kit cost extra.
How old do you have to be to start kart racing?
Motorsport UK says competitive racing can start from the 6th birthday in the Bambino class, and ARKS says children can take the ARKS test from age 6. Under-18s need a parent or guardian to hold an Entrant licence.
Do I need a licence to go karting?
Racing your own kart at Motorsport UK club events needs a Kart Inter Club licence, which you get after the ARKS test. Arrive-and-drive championships use their own licences: K-X (free) for outdoor series like Club100 and K-I for the British Indoor Karting Championship. Neither needs the ARKS test.
What is the ARKS test?
It is the novice test you must pass before your first karting competition licence. It has a multiple-choice theory paper and a practical assessment on track, run by ARKS member schools or club examiners.
What safety kit do I need for my first kart race?
You need a helmet, overalls, gloves and boots that meet Motorsport UK regulations, and a rib protector is recommended. Under-15s may only use Snell CMR-type or CMS-equivalent helmets.
Sources, checked 2026-09-10: starterpacks.motorsportuk.org · motorsportuk.org · getstarted.motorsportuk.org · abkc.org.uk · arks.co.uk · motorsportuk.org · getstarted.motorsportuk.org. Rules and fees change; the governing body’s own page is always the final word.