No Licence, No Problem: The Formula One Drivers Who Defied The Rules of the Road

Last Friday saw a third attempt at securing my driving licence.

Sadly, as a driver with the aggression of Max Verstappen and the performance anxiety of Lando Norris, I did not pass on this occasion.

Deflated by the whole ordeal, it led me to question how many Formula One drivers have too shared my shoes, when it comes to being unsuccessful in obtaining their own driving licence.

After all, holding a seat in the highest level of open-wheel single-seater racing must translate to their talents in the real world…right?

Super is the Word

The Super Licence – a qualification issued by the FIA – is a requirement for any racing driver seeking to compete in Formula One.

While Formula One opened its competitive paddock to almost anyone who could afford a car in its formative years, in the modern-day era, each candidate must formally meet the following criteria, to obtain their exclusive ticket into Formula One:

Hold a current FIA International Grade A licence
Be at least 18 years-old at the start of their first Formula One Grand Prix
Participate in a minimum of 80 percent of two seasons in single-seater championships (e.g. FIA Formula Two; IndyCar)
Accumulate at least 40 points over three seasons
Complete a theory examination (International Sporting Code; Formula One regulations)
Hold a valid driving licence – racing under the flag of the country in which your licence is held

In 2024, Super Licence rules were amended to deduce the precedence of the ‘regular’ driving licence in its attainment:

“A driver judged to have recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in a single-seater formula car competition may be granted a Super Licence at the age of 17 years-old.”

This has since reclaimed the way for Formula One drivers to enter the competition – Super Licence in hand – without having ever been deemed safe for the road.

Ultimately, if drivers accumulate enough points on their Super Licence – by finishing in top 3 in approved racing series’ – they are deemed fit to race.

Formula One Without a Licence

Fear not – there is hope for those of us begrudgingly still fashioning L-plates yet, with the following drivers embarking upon their careers in Formula One, without holding a regular driving licence.

Juan Manuel Fangio [1950-1958]

Juan Manuel Fangio is one of the founding drivers of Formula One, originating his career 75-years ago at Silverstone in 1950.

Despite having won 5 drivers’ championships between 1951-1957, Fangio did not obtain a regular driving licence until after his retirement from Formula One in 1958, aged 46-years-old.

This feat is made even more impressive, considering Fangio’s championship record remained unbeaten for almost 50 years in Formula One history, irrespective of the unreliable nature of racing cars during his reign.

Max Verstappen [2015-]

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen entered Formula One in 2015 at just 17 years-of-age, making him the youngest driver in its sporting history.

As such, Verstappen was granted his Super Licence before legally being able to obtain his regular driving licence, competing in 14 Grand Prix before doing so. Reports even indicate that the Dutch driver did not pass first time, after failing to stop for pedestrians on a crossing during his practical examination.

In 2021, Super Licence regulations were amended to dictate that drivers must be at least 18 years-old at the start of their first Formula One Grand Prix.

This ruling was enforced to encourage future young drivers to – unlike Verstappen – complete the expected staggered series route into Formula One – not that this stopped the exception of Lance Stroll, however.

Kimi Antonelli [2025-]

As a result of the amendment made to Super Licence rules in 2024, Kimi Antonelli received his first taste of Formula One during the 2024 season, testing for Williams, without having yet obtained his driving licence.

At 17 years-of-age, and just sixth in his debut Formula Two season with Prema Racing, this experience would otherwise not have been possible.

The Italian driver went on to pass his driving test just weeks before his debut for Mercedes at the start of the 2025 season, where he currently places P7 in the drivers’ standings with 63 points.

The First Time Is Not Everything

While the following may have since been given the green light for their regular driving licences, they did not succeed in doing so first-time.

Jenson Button [2000-2017]

Jenson Button embarked on the start of his Formula One career at Williams during the 2000 season, making his mark early at the Brazilian Grand Prix, as the youngest points scorer in Formula One.

Button eagerly took his first driving test at the age of 17, but failed as a result of driving “too close” to a parked car.

This did not stop the British driver from succeeding in Formula One, however, becoming word champion in 2009 and winning a total of 15 Grand Prix during his 17-year career.

Lando Norris [2019-]

McLaren driver Lando Norris first emerged on the scene of Formula One aged 19, scoring points eleven times for the team and narrowly missing out on P10 position in the drivers’ championship.

Despite his apparent talents, Norris did not pass his theory examination first time.

Speaking on Olympic gold medalist Tom Daley’s podcast Made With Love, Norris further proclaimed that driving on roads provokes more anxiety than when driving on racetracks.

“I find it more scary driving on the road than I do in Formula One… You feel like most people probably shouldn’t have a licence. When I’m on a racetrack, I feel much more at home and safe there.”

Oliver Bearman [2025-]

Oliver Bearman first took the series by storm during the 2024 season, filling in for Carlos Sainz and Ferrari, after the Spanish driver was diagnosed with appendicitis shortly before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Bearman took no lessons prior to his first driving test, leaving empty-handed after failing to stop at a stop sign, to which he attests was his “first sighting” of such a sign.

One of six rookies to earn a seat in Formula One for the 2025 season – the largest figure for 15 years – Bearman presently drives for Haas, with varied success.