Your child can experience driving at historic Goodwood from age 10, but they’ll need to meet the 4ft 11in height requirement and complete three progressive £149 missions before the main track experience. You’ll pay £596 total for the full program, which includes professional instruction in BMW 118i vehicles with dual controls. Weather can affect sessions, so dress appropriately in trousers and closed-toe shoes. Discover what makes this legendary 2.4-mile circuit the perfect learning environment.
- Program Structure and Pricing Overview
- Age and Height Requirements for Participation
- What to Expect During Your Driving Sessions
- Safety Protocols and Weather Considerations
- Dress Code and Arrival Guidelines
- Spectator Information and Venue Amenities
- Booking Process and Voucher Validity
- The Historic Goodwood Circuit Experience
- The Sum Up
Program Structure and Pricing Overview
While many driving experiences offer just a single session, Goodwood’s Young Driver programme takes an all-encompassing three-stage approach that builds skills progressively. You’ll book three separate “missions” in the Dynamic Training Zone, each delivered on different dates to allow proper skill development between sessions.
Each mission costs £149, providing around 50 minutes of one-to-one instruction with an Approved Driving Instructor.
After completing all three learner missions, your young driver can graduate to the full 2.4-mile Goodwood Motor Circuit for the final experience.
The complete package—three missions plus graduation—costs £596 total. You’ll pay per session rather than upfront, making the investment more manageable across multiple visits.
Gift vouchers remain valid for 12 months, giving you flexibility in scheduling. All sessions include a 15-minute safety briefing before the driving portion begins, ensuring participants understand safety protocols and track procedures.
Age and Height Requirements for Participation
Since safety remains paramount at Goodwood, the venue sets clear physical requirements rather than strict age limits for young drivers. Your child must reach at least 1.5 metres tall (4ft 11in) to participate, guaranteeing they can safely control the vehicle on track. Height checks occur before each experience begins.
You’ll find no minimum age restrictions for Young Driver experiences, though junior sessions typically accommodate children from age 10. Under-17s drive MINI Coopers in the Dynamic Training Zone with professional instructors.
Once your child turns 17, they’ll need a full driving licence to join adult track day experiences.
You’ll also need to provide parental consent for under-18s participating in certain supercar experiences. Always verify age restrictions in the Fine Print section of each package before booking to avoid any misunderstandings.
Maximum height restrictions of 6ft 4in and weight limits of 22 stone ensure comfortable vehicle operation.
What to Expect During Your Driving Sessions
When you arrive for your young driver session, you’ll need to check in 15 minutes early at the Dynamic Training Zone where complimentary refreshments await while you complete necessary paperwork. Your professional instructor will deliver a thorough safety briefing before you begin driving.
You’ll spend approximately 50 minutes behind the wheel of a BMW 118i, working through three progressive missions designed for your skill level. Starting with basics like moving off, steering, and gear changing, you’ll advance to more complex techniques including roundabouts, junctions, and bay parking. Throughout the experience, you’ll document your progress in a Young Driver Log Book to track your developing skills.
Your instructor provides one-on-one guidance tailored to your pace and ability throughout the entire experience.
The session concludes with a full lap on Goodwood’s historic 2.4-mile Motor Circuit, marking your progression from learner to confident young driver.
Safety Protocols and Weather Considerations
Before you or your young driver can experience the thrill of Goodwood’s circuit, thorough safety protocols guarantee every participant’s wellbeing. You’ll arrive 15 minutes early for essential safety briefings with professional instructors who’ll provide expert guidance throughout the session.
All vehicles feature dual controls or kill-switches, ensuring instructors maintain complete control when necessary.
Weather plays a pivotal role in session safety. Driving gets cancelled or curtailed during extreme conditions like snow, ice, heavy rain, or high winds. If you’re uncertain about weather conditions, call 01243 755055 for updates.
While postponement is highly unlikely, severe weather may require rescheduling your experience.
The driving experience takes place in a BMW 118i with your professional instructor, providing the perfect learning environment for young drivers.
These protocols aren’t restrictions—they’re safeguards that allow your family to enjoy this incredible driving opportunity with complete confidence and peace of mind.
Dress Code and Arrival Guidelines
What should your young driver wear for their Goodwood experience? Comfortable clothing suitable for driving is essential. Trousers are compulsory – shorts aren’t permitted on certain experiences. Your child must wear flat, closed-toe shoes; flip-flops, sandals, and high heels are banned for safety reasons. Avoid loose accessories like long scarves or dangling jewelry that could snag on controls.
Layer clothing for changing weather conditions between indoor briefings and outdoor circuit areas. Pack a light jacket even in summer due to wind chill around the paddock.
Arrive 15-30 minutes before your scheduled start time – lateness risks forfeiture. The experience lasts approximately one hour, including safety briefing and 50 minutes of driving time. Participants must be at least 1.5 meters tall to take part in the driving experience. Bring a compact bag for storing phones and keys securely during instruction.
Spectator Information and Venue Amenities
While your young driver takes to the track, the entire family can enjoy watching from designated spectator areas around Goodwood’s Dynamic Training Zone. You’ll find trackside viewing positions with clear sightlines to the action, plus perimeter walkways and viewing banks offering multiple vantage points.
Children are welcome as spectators, though under-16s must be accompanied by an adult. You can bring cameras to capture this milestone experience from the spectator zones.
The venue provides tea and coffee for spectators, along with permanent circuit facilities including toilets and sheltered areas. Expect some walking between parking, check-in, and viewing areas due to the large outdoor layout. Shuttle tractors are available to help families with mobility needs move around the grounds more easily.
The atmosphere remains supportive and educational rather than competitive, making it perfect for families celebrating their young driver’s first experience behind the wheel.
Booking Process and Voucher Validity
Securing your young driver’s spot at Goodwood requires careful attention to timing and documentation. You’ll need to complete pre-registration via the provided link and confirm your booking with payment to guarantee entry. Your final confirmation arrives within 48 hours of purchase, separate from the automatic purchase email.
If you’re redeeming a voucher, contact the Ticket Office at 01243 755055 or enter your code during online checkout.
Gift card extensions require an administration fee before expiry, so don’t let them lapse.
The Young Driver Learner Experience costs £149 per mission, totaling £596 for all three missions plus graduation. All participants must arrive by 7.45-8am for mandatory sign-on and safety briefings before track access is permitted.
The Historic Goodwood Circuit Experience
Beyond the booking paperwork lies the real excitement: your young driver’s journey through Goodwood’s legendary 2.4-mile circuit that’s hosted motorsport since 1948. Your teenager won’t immediately tackle this historic tarmac – they’ll build essential skills through three missions in the Dynamic Training Zone first.
Each £149 mission develops their abilities across separate dates, with progress tracked in their Young Driver Log Book.
After completing the learner programme, they’ll graduate to the main event: a thrilling 50-minute drive on the same professional-grade circuit where racing legends have competed. The perimeter road layout delivers genuine motorsport excitement while maintaining safety standards. Upon completion, they’ll receive a Driving Experience Certificate to commemorate their achievement on this historic track.
With a maximum of four cars on track simultaneously and one-to-one instructor guidance, your young driver experiences authentic circuit driving in a controlled, secure environment.
The Sum Up
You’ll find Goodwood’s young driver days offer an exceptional introduction to motorsport in a controlled, safe environment. They’ve structured everything with families in mind—from clear age requirements to extensive safety protocols. You can’t go wrong with this experience if you’re looking to nurture your child’s passion for driving while ensuring they learn proper techniques from day one. It’s an investment in their automotive education that’ll create lasting memories together.
