Kunos is taking a different direction when it comes to being able to drive vehicles in its latest title, Assetto Corsa Evo. In previous Assetto Corsa editions, there were no restrictions on which cars you could purchase or drive, but this isn’t the case in Evo.
Each player will need to save up and purchase the vehicles they want to use full-time or rent a vehicle they don’t own for a limited time. Alongside this mechanic, Kunos has also introduced a license system for the first time, which determines which vehicles you can own and drive. This Coach Dave Academy guide will explain how the system works, and what you can expect when you hit the track.
For those not sure whether they have the hardware needed to run the game, take a look at Coach Dave Academy’s dive into the AC Evo system requirements.
How The Licence System Works
From now on, to be able to rent or purchase more powerful and serious vehicles, you’ll need to obtain the license that pertains to each one. Every driver will start out with an Entry-Level license when they first enter the game, which will allow them to use lower-powered vehicles such as the Hyundai i30 N and the Honda S2000.
From there, a further six licenses will be available to obtain from the ‘Licences’ sub-menu. These are:
- Sports Cars: For lower-powered sports cars like the Alpine A110 and the Toyota GR86
- Super Cars: For higher-end sports cars and entry-level supercars like the Lotus Emira and Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
- Hyper Cars: For high-end supercars and hypercars like the Ferrari 296 GTB
- Racing 1: For entry-level race cars such as the Mazda MX-5 Cup
- Racing 2: The next-level of race cars, for vehicles like the BMW M2 CS Racing
- Racing 3: Upper-level racers such as GT cars like the Mercedes-AMG GT2 and Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo
Once you complete the tests needed for each category, you’ll gain your license and be able to buy or rent cars that make up the category. To take a look at which cars are currently available in AC Evo, take a look at Coach Dave Academy’s guide on the subject.
What Each Licence Consists Of
Each license level requires you to complete a total of five tests before you’ll be able to unlock it. Four of these cover a particular challenge, such as nailing a certain type of corner of weather condition, while the last will task you with completing a fast lap of the track you’ve been practicing on.
- Each test uses a star system to rank how well you did. One star is the easiest target to achieve, while three stars is the hardest.
- Only one star is needed for each test to progress to the next one, and you’ll have to complete each in order.
- This also goes for the license levels e.g. you can’t skip over the Sports Car and Super Car licenses to do the Hyper Car one, you’ll have to complete the others first.
- Your run will be voided if you exceed track limits or jump the starting lights
Upon completing each test, you’ll also earn XP and credits. The former will help you progress your driver level, while the latter can be used to buy new cars and upgrades. The better score you get, the more XP and credits you’ll earn.
The Tests Get More Difficult As You Progress
As you progress up the license ranks, the tests will challenge you with ever more difficult conditions and more technical sections of track, alongside more powerful vehicles that are harder to drive.
- Tests for lower license levels include basic driving techniques like taking hairpins and dealing with different drive types i.e front, rear, and all-wheel drive
- Tests for higher tier licenses will see you face more challenging corners like technical S sections, as well as learning to deal with wet weather
Most players should find it straightforward to work their way through each license test, each star score spread out nicely.
- One-star scores are designed so that players new to track driving can clear them
- Experienced sim racers should easily be able to aim for two stars
- Pilots not in the top 5% of drivers may struggle to nail three stars straight away, and may need a few attempts before achieving it
- Passing quickly will also depend on what car you’re driving, as some drivers will suit some vehicles more naturally than others
Cars Belonging To Each Licence Group Are Used To Complete Tests
Drivers will have access to a range of cars from each of the license categories they’re trying to conquer. Some classes, such as the Hypercar and Racing ones, are limited due to few cars of their type being included in earlier builds of AC Evo.
- Sports Car: Audi RS3 Sportsback
Ford Escort RS Cosworth
Alpine A290 Beta
Toyota GR86
Alpine A110 S - Super Car: Lotus Emira
Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm (Two tests)
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
BMW M4 CSL - Hypercar: Ferrari 296 GTB (All tests)
- Racing 1: Mazda MX 5 Cup (All tests)
- Racing 2: BMW M2 CS Racing (All tests)
- Racing 3: Mercedes-AMG GT2 (Two tests)
Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo (Two tests)
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992)
Working through each license gives you a golden opportunity to sample many of the different cars on offer in AC Evo, which will help build your confidence as your track time increases.
Plus, if you’re struggling to work your way around the garage, take a look at Coach Dave Academy’s guide to the Assetto Corsa Evo Garage system exploring the layout.
Tracks Are Placed In Order Of Difficulty
The license tests make use of the five tracks featured in the first build of AC Evo, with each taking the spotlight across the first five licenses before all five are used in the final one. The more demanding and technical tracks are placed higher up the license order, with easier ones placed at the start.
- Sports Car: Brand Hatch GP
- Super Car: Imola
- Hypercar: Laguna Seca
- Racing 1: Suzuka
- Racing 2: Mount Panorama
- Racing 3: Each track used in one test each
To brush up on your knowledge of the tracks you’ll be taking on, Coach Dave Academy put together a guide of all the tracks currently available in AC Evo.
Wrapping Up
All in all, most drivers won’t find it difficult to progress through each license class. Given you only need to score a single star on each test to progress to the next one, only the greenest drivers will struggle not to clear the entire lot within an hour or two.
They prove to be a useful education tool for drivers not used to some of the cars on offer, as well as putting them in difficult situations they may choose to normally avoid, such as wet weather driving. This only helps to close up the gap between driver skill levels, which should hopefully help keep online racing that bit cleaner when it eventually comes online.
Should you want to learn more about the AC Evo Early Access program, then refer to Coach Academy’s extensive guide.
