Driving for Kids 7-11

We are inviting kids to test our new track we are building in Orangeville, ON! For this please choose "Flexible Date" when booking the kids package. We will reach out to you by email to select a date and time slot - there are many spots available on week days and weekends until the end of May.

If you would like to go to our usual tracks instead, please choose a specific event date when booking

Drive	On	With a
Your Car or Our Subaru	Dirt or Snow	Private Instructor

Requirements

Driver

For ages 7 - 11. No driver's license or previous driving experience required (obviously).

Child's height should be minimum 115 - 120 cm for them to reach the pedals with padding that we will provide.

Car (if using your own)

Please check Vehicle Compatibility of the track you want to drive at. This is VERY important so that there are no surprises when you get to the event. For winter events, AWD is required.

Why Start Young?

The best time to start learning to drive is earlier than you think.

Research shows that ages 6-12 are a "golden age" for motor skill development, a window where the brain is uniquely primed to absorb technical and coordinative skills more effectively than at any other stage of life. Driving is, at its core, a complex motor skill, and the earlier those foundations are built, the better. (Motor skills. A perfect play on words, isn't it?)

Skills like spatial awareness, coordination, and split-second decision-making — all essential to safe driving — are significantly easier to develop before puberty. Studies also show that children who build strong motor skills early demonstrate better working memory and decision-making ability later in life.

At Race Lab, our kids' program gives children ages 7–11 early, hands-on experience in a safe, supervised environment. We teach correct techniques from the start, focusing on control, attention, and good habits, helping them develop the kind of confident, instinctive feel for driving that simply can't be rushed or replicated later.

❔ Did You Know

Most legendary drivers started young. Michael Schumacher began karting at just 4 years old, and Travis Pastrana got into motocross before most kids learn to ride a bike. Early exposure is often the foundation of exceptional driving skills.

Training Safety

Safe, Closed Track. Training conducted on a controlled track with a special track set-up and layout with plenty of run-off space.

Professionally Trained Instructors. Race Lab instructors have extensive training and experience teaching kids, using a personalized, sensitive approach to make sure that your child is comfortable, safe, and learns a lot while having a ton of fun!

Specially-prepped Subaru. Our Subarus are prepared for training, making them safe for kids (no airbag).

Low speed exercises. Training is conducted at very low speeds.

Helmets for safety and pillows for additional padding to reach the controls are also provided.

Curriculum & What’s Included

Date, Time, Location
Choose your driving date and location in the configurator during booking. Your exact time slot will be confirmed by email after booking.
Arrive 15 mins before your time slot to sign in.

Total In-Car Time
Choose 30 minutes to 2 hours when booking. Training is private, one-on-one with an instructor in our specially-prepared Subaru or your own car.

Curriculum
Your child will start by driving very slowly in a designated area to learn throttle control, braking, and proper steering. We teach the hand-over-hand technique from the beginning to build correct muscle memory. Once the instructor sees they’re comfortable, your child will move to our closed dirt track, where they’ll be the only car on course.

The instructor adjusts the curriculum and pace of instruction based on your child’s progression. Depending on progress, we cover:

• Correct seating position
• How to hold a steering wheel & hand-over-hand steering technique
• Smooth steering, braking, throttle inputs
• Vision
• Understanding vehicle dimensions
• Synchronizing all the correct inputs, making sure to stay smooth
• The seriousness of responsibility drivers take on when getting behind the wheel
• Understanding braking distance depending on speed

Next Steps

Driver Progress Report Will arrive by email with instructor feedback and practical next steps to help your child to keep improving in future training sessions.

Generally recommended next steps would be:

• Retake this course to progress in the curriculum and for more practice.
• At 12, your child can move on to Driving for Teens 12-15. Still no license required.

* All Race Lab events operate within our Rain Check Guarantee