How to Prepare for a Performance Driving School
Preparing for a performance driving school comes down to three things: a car in sound mechanical condition, the right documents, and a plan for a full day of driving and classroom work. At Road America, Performance Driving 1 requires your own vehicle and a valid driver’s license. Performance Driving 2 also requires proof of insurance and registration, adequate fuel, and a vehicle that is subject to an instructor’s safety inspection. Arrive 15 minutes early with lunch sorted, and you will spend the day learning instead of scrambling.
Confirm you’re in the right class
Road America’s Performance Driving Program, presented by Kohler Credit Union, has two levels, and preparation differs slightly between them.
| Performance Driving 1 | Performance Driving 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | Little to no performance driving experience | Drivers 16+ who completed Performance Driving 1 or have equivalent experience |
| Hours (2026) | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Where you drive | Exercise areas on the property, not the 4-mile road course | Exercise areas, then lead/follow sessions on the 4-mile road course |
| Required documents | Valid driver’s license | Valid driver’s license, proof of insurance and registration |
| 2026 price | $385 per driver | $385 per driver |
If you have never taken a performance driving class, Performance Driving 1 is the place to start. Performance Driving 2 is designed to build directly on it.
Get your car ready
Both classes use your own vehicle, and Road America recommends a high-performance car. You do not need a dedicated track car, but whatever you bring will be braking, cornering and accelerating harder than it does on a commute. Performance Driving 2 vehicles are subject to a safety inspection by a qualified instructor.
Road America’s Track Day tech sheet is a useful checklist for school preparation too. It asks drivers to confirm items such as:
- Brakes: firm pedal, a full reservoir of clean brake fluid, and pads, lines and calipers free of leaks
- Tires and wheels: tire wear on all four corners, plus wheel bearings and rotors
- Engine bay: no fuel, oil or transmission leaks, belts tight and free of cracks, hoses and wiring secure
- Suspension and steering: no play in the steering wheel, tight tie rods, no unusual suspension noise
- Interior: seat belts and anchors in good condition, battery secure, all loose objects removed
- Lights: headlights, signals, brake and tail lights working
If any of these are uncertain, have a trusted mechanic look at the car a week or two before class, so there is time to fix what they find. Check your tire pressures the morning of the class as well.
Clear out the car
Loose items become distractions, or worse, during hard braking and cornering. Before you leave home, remove floor mats, empty the glove box and door pockets, and take everything out of the trunk except a spare tire that is bolted down. Leave room for the lunch and gear you will bring.
Gather your documents
For Performance Driving 1, bring your valid driver’s license. For Performance Driving 2, bring your license plus proof of insurance and registration. Read Road America’s school policies, linked on each class page, before you arrive.
It is also worth asking your auto insurer how your policy treats driving at a facility like Road America. Road America’s Performance Driving 2 page links to on-track insurance from Hagerty for drivers who want separate coverage.
Plan your day
Arrive 15 minutes early. Road America asks every participant to arrive 15 minutes before the start time.
Sort out lunch. Both classes include a 40-minute lunch break. You can bring a bag lunch or order a chef’s selection boxed lunch in advance at checkout.
Start with adequate fuel. Performance Driving 2 requires it, and it is good practice for Performance Driving 1. Fuel is also available on site: 91 octane and 98 octane unleaded, and 110 octane leaded.
Dress for the weather. Performance Driving 2 runs rain or shine, and both classes include time outside the car, so bring layers and rain gear.
Know how the day is structured
Knowing the format helps you pace yourself.
In Performance Driving 1, the class is divided into two groups. Each group spends about 45 minutes in classroom instruction and rotates through five driving exercises, each lasting about 30 minutes. The exercises cover braking, cornering and acceleration, and include autocross-style challenges. The day also includes a guided behind-the-scenes tour of the property.
In Performance Driving 2, the class again splits into two groups. Each spends about 40 minutes in the classroom, then moves to on-property driving exercises. The program ends with professional lead/follow sessions on Road America’s 4-mile road course, where an instructor leads and you follow in your own car.
Prepare yourself, too
Your car is only half of the equation. Get a full night of sleep, eat well and stay hydrated through the day. Concentrating on precise inputs for hours is more tiring than most drivers expect.
Road America advises anyone with motion sickness or another medical condition that could affect their driving to consult a doctor before taking the course.
Once you are in the car, set up your seat properly. Road America’s track tips recommend sitting as upright as possible, with your thighs supported, your knees slightly bent when the clutch is fully pressed, your back against the seat, and your elbows slightly bent with your hands at 9 and 3.
Finally, come ready to listen. Instructors build each exercise on the one before it, and the drivers who improve most are usually the ones who focus on being smooth rather than fast.
After the class: what comes next
Performance Driving 1 leads naturally to Performance Driving 2, and both lead to Road America Track Days. Road America strongly recommends the Performance Driving schools before a first Track Day, and notes that drivers who complete both classes move up from the Novice run group to Intermediate more quickly.
Find your class date
Road America releases 2027 Performance Driving 1 and Performance Driving 2 dates on December 1. Classes have limited space, so check Road America Driving Schools for the new dates and register early to secure your spot.