The DMSB has revealed an overhaul to its Nordschleife Permit system, which will come into effect from 2026 onwards.
The DMSB Permit Nordschleife (DPN) is the license required to compete in race events at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, such as the 24H Nürburgring and rounds of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie.
The permit is split into four levels: one make, C, B and A.
A Level A Permit is required to drive the fastest machinery which competes on the Nordschleife, such as GT3, 992 Cup and GT4 cars.
Previously, a driver had to complete 14 laps across two penalty-free races in lower-class vehicles to be eligible for a Level A Permit, with a race start only counted if the driver was behind the wheel for at least 20% of the vehicle’s total lap count.
From 2026, however, this requirement has been reduced to eight laps and one penalty-free result, with up to two laps from qualifying counting towards the eight-lap target. The 20% minimum has also been removed.
Drivers are also free to request a Level A Permit from the DPN decision-making body, in the scenario that they have made at least two starts but have failed to complete eight laps, whilst the decision-making body can grant Level A Permits to drivers yet to meet the criteria on a case-by-case basis, especially if weather interrupts proceedings.
Fines, warnings and pit lane speeding violations are excluded from the ‘penalty free’ requirement.
Changes have also been made to the eligibility for a Level B Permit, with international license holders now allowed to count participation in the 2025/26 Digital Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (DNLS), if they lack the necessary real-world experience.
A Level B Permit is required to compete in the Nürburgring 24 or NLS in lower-class machinery. To be eligible for a Level B permit, drivers need to be at least 18 years old, successfully complete the relevant DPN E-learning course, and have experience on the Nordschleife.
For international license holders, this experience can come in the form of participation in multiple RCN performance tests, participation in a single RCN performance test as a solo driver, or the successful completion of a DMSB-approved DPN driver training course, Level B.
From 2026, drivers who have only completed one RCN performance test, but have completed at least three rounds of the 2025/26 DNLS without a penalty, will also meet the experience requirements.
The DNLS is a four-round, DMSB-approved competition which takes place each winter. Held on the iRacing platform, it is made up of three-hour races, with the 50-car multi-class entry determined by a pre-qualifying process. Competitors in the top SP9 category must include a real-world driver in their line-up.
