FAQ’s for Driver Education

Written by Stan Corbett and Members of the Track Committee

What’s new or continuing for 2024?
More Track Days and Lots More Fun!

Just take a look!  All NER events are three day events – and all except Calabogie are Friday-Saturday-Sunday!  Click here for the full NER and NCR schedule

For those new to DE

Novice Day 2024 will be announced soon. Please note that it is NOT a requirement to attend a Novice Day in order to participate in our DE events. All of our events provide instructors for beginning and novice (Green and Yellow run group) drivers unless we are again restricted by COVID-19 at some events.

Watch the NER Web Site

While we email information to registered drivers the web site should be checked periodically for new and updated information.

Registration Process

How to register

The coordination of the two regions’ schedules means one website for registration, one for both NER events and NCR events. On the event calendar you will notice the host region is identified. Although both regions cooperate with each other, it is the host region that handles registration. All rules and policies are consistent regardless of host region. The host region’s registration web site will be the only point of registration for the events they are hosting.

Each region will require you to establish your credentials as a driver, and give details of your car before you are able to register for an event. Both regions have similar policies and requirements. In all cases setting up your profile with the registration website should be a one-time affair unless your vehicle and/or other profile items change. After you have provided your details to each region, you will be able to log in and will be automatically remembered. For our returning drivers, be sure to update your profile including driving history, car info if you change or add cars AND keep your email address current! The last is particularly important as we use the registration site to send information to drivers via email.

At the end of these FAQs you will find contact details and web addresses for each of the regions. If you have any issues with registering either yourself as a driver or for any particular event, please do not hesitate to contact any of us.

When to register

In most cases registration for all NER events opens on March 1 and NCR events on February 1.

As a general word of warning, be aware that both regions accept entries on a first-come, first-served basis (based on the date paid). This year there will be greater demand for most events; we fully expect that some will sell out early especially if we are forced to restrict attendance due to COVID-19. Although you cannot register before the registration opening day, we strongly suggest you register as early as possible after March 1 to avoid disappointment. This is particularly important for the Green & Yellow student groups as the number admitted to any event is dependent upon the number of instructors signing up. Instructors tend to be late in registering; so Student drivers, sign up and pay early.

Other important information about registration

Though NER and NCR are entirely separate and distinct regions, we’ve done our best to coordinate our policies and procedures to make the DE season as seamless as possible. Even so, please familiarize yourself with the host region’s policies and protocols by reading the host region’s policies as found on their individual web sites. Do not assume the rules you are accustomed to with your home region will be the same as those of other regions. Your standard operating procedure should be to check the DE pages of any region’s event you are attending far enough in advance to allow compliance with their policies; AND those may change from year to year.

A few NER registration caveats

Registration closes approximately 2 weeks prior to an event

Signing up for an event without providing a payment method (i.e., credit card info) is not a full registration. Until your payment method is received you are NOT registered and a space will not be held for you in the event.  If you pay after the 2-week cut-off or at the event with permission of the registrar, you may be subject to a $50/day or $100/event surcharge, whichever is less.

All registrations will normally be for the entire 2 or 3 days of the event. A driver wishing to register for fewer days than the entire event may have to pay a surcharge (~$25/day) and should check first with the registrar.

Instructors are urged to register early to allow us to admit as many student drivers as possible.

If Instructors register within 2 weeks of an event, they may be required to pay an additional $25/day beyond the Instructor rate.

All of the above surcharges are at the discretion of the Track Chair, Registrar and/or Chief Instructor and may be modified depending on the individual circumstances of each event.

Who can drive in a PCA Driver Education event?

NER & NCR have the same basic requirements:

  • You must be 18 years or older
  • You must be a currently licensed driver
  • You must not be under the influence of drowsiness-inducing or mind altering substances (prescribed or not) prior to or during the event.

For more information on requirements click here.

What can you drive at a PCA Driver Education event?

Both regions accept any Porsche vehicle (excluding tractors, because they don’t have seat belts). NER also accepts any non-Porsche driven by a PCA member, or other car club recognized by NER. NCR has agreed to conform to the above at our shared events. If in doubt, contact NCR’s registrar [email protected]. Please also note PCA’s official position on “automatic emergency braking systems.”

Generally speaking, any Porsche that is ’as delivered‘ and is currently in good, safe working order will be acceptable for entry in any Driver Education event. Depending on the host’s specific rulings, the same can be said of most cars produced by other makers. The only consistent exceptions are:

All cabriolets (other than Porsche 996s, 997s and Boxsters) must be equipped with roll over protection (roll bar or roll cage).

Some older Porsches (pre-1969) may be required to modify the mountings of, or install, seat belts. Host web sites will give details of requirements and should be checked periodically to stay current with any changes. All vehicles are required to have at least 3-point seat belts.

For vehicles modified from original specification, please check your host’s web site for requirements. Most importantly, check for specific details regarding the installation of racing harnesses, racing seats and the need for equal restraints for both passenger and driver. Also be aware that many tracks have dB (noise) limits — a modified exhaust may not be acceptable at all tracks. Check the web sites and READ your registration acknowledgements.

What else is needed?

Both regions require that your vehicle be given a pre-event Technical Inspection by a PCA-recognized Inspector. These inspections must be undertaken prior to arrival at the event and are intended primarily to ensure the safety and track-worthiness of your vehicle. Details of these inspections along with downloadable NER and NCR tech forms and a list of recognized inspectors can be found at each of the host regions’ web sites. Each host region may have slightly different forms and requirements, but each will accept the host region’s “Tech” form signed and stamped by another region’s registered tech inspector. Please be aware, however, that technical inspection does not negate the vehicle’s driver/owner responsibility for the vehicle to be safe and in compliance with all PCA, host region and/or track requirements.

All PCA Driver Education events require that you wear a Snell-rated helmet while on the track. Both host regions require that these helmets meet the SA2015, M2015 or newer standards. In all cases SA ratings are strongly recommended for their fire safety qualities. Helmet certifications occur every 5 years and are valid in PCA events for 10 years.

Note: If you’re buying a helmet this year, the NER Track Committee strongly recommends that you get a closed-face SA-rated helmet for the additional safety it affords.

While NER does not require that your car be equipped with a fire extinguisher, NER does strongly recommend it. You should be aware, however, that many regions do require a 2-½ lb (minimum) class BC or ABC fire extinguisher be mounted in a metal bracket and bolted to a metal surface within reach of the driver.  Some regions allow a one-time exemption from this requirement for the first event a driver attends. Be sure to check the host region’s requirements.

In summary

  • Identify who is hosting the event or events you wish to enter
  • Go to the host’s web site and locate links to Driver Education
  • Go to their registration site and register for events
  • Pay online or mail a check to the host region
  • Have a fire extinguisher installed in your car (if required by the host region)
  • Beg, borrow or buy a helmet that meets Snell SA2015, M2015 or newer requirements
  • Download a tech inspection form a couple of weeks before the event
  • Locate a nearby tech inspector from your home region’s web site
  • Have your car inspected and keep the tech form, as you will need it at the event
  • Read the articles on what to expect and what to bring that appear on our web site
  • Come to the track and have fun

Insurance Documentation for Canada

The following information was verified and updated 1 July 2020. Per the U.S. Department of State; U.S. driver’s licenses are valid in Canada. Drivers must carry proof of insurance in Canada at all times. U.S. auto insurance is accepted as long as an individual is a tourist in Canada. U.S. insurance firms will issue a Canadian insurance card, which should be obtained and carried prior to driving into Canada. If you’re towing a track car that has been registered, it’s advisable to have a card for both the track and tow vehicle. If your track car is unregistered, it’s wise to have proof of ownership with you. Probably best to keep these cards somewhere other than in the vehicle.

Erratic Driving (aka Two Spin Rule)

Any driver who leaves the track (two or four wheels off), spins, is not in control of his/her car, and/or makes contact with another car or object will be black flagged and must come into the pits to have the car looked over and to be queried for the cause. Do not wait for the black flag to come into the pits. A second incident may be cause for not driving the rest of the day and/or ejection from the event.

Contacting your instructor/student

Guide to contacting your assigned instructor or student before a Driver Education Event will be emailed to you before the event

Evaluating your instructor/student

Evaluations of your student or instructor is done through Driving Evals, you will receive an email after the end of each event

Contact Information

Northeast Region (NER)
Registrar Paul Skinner [email protected]
Track Chair Charlie Kenney [email protected]
Event Registration motorsportreg.com
North Country Region (NCR)  www.ncr-pca.org
Registrar John Lussier 802-728-4457 [email protected]
Track Chair Dennis Mascetta [email protected]
Event Registration  www.motorsportreg.com