Karting in Dubaiwith theMX-Academy

Karting in Dubai is easy to arrange: you arrive, put on the helmet and race suit provided and drive. This guide covers the indoor and outdoor tracks of the Dubai Kartdrome, karting in Abu Dhabi, minimum ages and what to wear.

Dubai Kartdrome at the Dubai AutodromeIndoor from age 7, outdoor from age 13Arrive-and-drive sessions of 15 minutesYas Kartzone and Al Forsan in Abu Dhabi

Motocross Dubai Desert ride Dubai

Go-karting in Dubai: a covered grandstand with a large red-and-white sign above a paved plaza and a covered car — Photo: Curtis Palmer, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Dubai Kartdrome: indoor karting in Dubai and an outdoor circuit

The Dubai Kartdrome at the Dubai Autodrome has two tracks. The outdoor circuit is 1.2 km long, FIA sanctioned and floodlit for night racing, with 17 corners, a tunnel and a bridge. The indoor track is shorter and takes up to ten drivers at a time.

A standard arrive-and-drive session lasts 15 minutes: the first three minutes are paced laps, then you drive on your own. Plan to arrive about an hour before your booking for registration and the safety briefing, which every driver must attend. The Kartdrome shares its site with the main circuit, where motor racing in Dubai takes place on race weekends.

Which track suits you? Families with younger children usually start indoors, where junior karts are available from age 7. Teenagers from 13 and adults who want a longer lap with a tunnel, a bridge and evening sessions under floodlights head for the outdoor circuit.

Motocross in the dunes of Dubai: two riders on motocross bikes with sand spraying up behind them

MX-Academy Dubai

Ride the dunes yourself

In a 4x4, on a quad or in a buggy you see the desert – on a motocross bike you ride it. MX-Academy Dubai, the school of Chris Möckli and Mohammed Al Balooshi, takes you into the dunes on a guided desert ride in Dubai.

On the handlebars yourself instead of in the passenger seat
First the basics on the training track: riding standing up and in sand
Bike and a full set of protective gear for hire
Experienced desert riders as your guides, on a date of your choice

Desert ride Dubai Motocross training in Dubai

Go-karting in Dubai: age, height and ID

The Kartdrome publishes clear minimum requirements, and it pays to check them before you book, especially if you are bringing children. Juniors and seniors drive in separate sessions, so a family with a younger and an older child may need two bookings one after the other.

Bring an ID document for every driver in your group, children included, because every driver must present one at registration. If your child is close to one of the limits below, check with the Kartdrome before you set off rather than at the reception desk. The main rules:

Indoor track: junior karts from age 7 and a minimum height of 1.25 m
Outdoor track: senior karts from age 13 and a minimum height of 1.57 m
Maximum driver weight: 135 kg
Drivers under 18 need a parent or legal guardian to sign the disclaimer at registration
Every driver shows a valid ID, such as an Emirates ID, passport or driving licence

What to wear for karting in Dubai

Helmets, race suits and balaclavas are provided and included in the session, and disposable gloves are available on site. Wear closed shoes, because sandals are not allowed, and tie long hair back and tuck it into the balaclava, helmet or race suit. Motocross, off-road, skydiving and open-face helmets are not permitted: on track you wear a full-face helmet, fastened for the whole session.

The track rules are simple: no alcohol before driving, no mobile phones on track, no bumping, no short cuts and walking pace in the pit lane. Karting at the Kartdrome is not suitable for pregnant women or people with existing medical conditions. Sessions can be booked online in advance or bought at reception, where they are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Kart tracks in Dubai and Abu Dhabi: Yas Kartzone and Al Forsan

Yas Kartzone at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi has a 1 km track with three configurations and is an official Sodi World Series track. Sessions are split by age: small electric karts for children aged 3 to 6, kids' karts for ages 5 to 7, junior karts for 8 to 12 and adult karts from 13. In a two-seater kart, a driver aged 15 or over can take a passenger from the age of 5.

Also in Abu Dhabi, Al Forsan International Sports Resort has an FIA-certified kart track and launched a karting academy for young drivers in 2025, with three levels from beginner to advanced. If you are planning a trip to the capital anyway, our overview of top Dubai tours explains how day trips to Abu Dhabi work.

Kart racing at the Dubai Kartdrome: championships and rookie nights

Beyond arrive-and-drive sessions, the Kartdrome runs race series for all levels and ages. Among them is the Dubai Kartdrome Endurance Championship, a team series whose past entrants include well-known drivers such as Fernando Alonso and Pedro de la Rosa. Besides the overall ranking, teams can compete in categories for colleagues from one company, drivers of the same nationality and drivers from GCC countries.

Rounds of the IAME Series UAE, a championship with classes from under-10s to seniors, are also held at the Kartdrome, alongside the Rotax MAX Challenge. If you want to race yourself, Rookie Race Nights are a stepping stone: they are open from age 13 to drivers who have completed at least 20 arrive-and-drive sessions on the outdoor circuit. Dates change every season, so check the racing calendar on the Kartdrome website.

Karting in Dubai, then two wheels in the sand

On a kart track, everything is about grip, braking points and the right line on tarmac. In the desert the ground moves under you, which is why riding a motorbike in the dunes feels so different. MX-Academy Dubai offers motocross and enduro in the desert with experienced riders from motocross and rallying who know the terrain around Dubai.

You pick the day for your desert ride. Some guests take the complete MX package with flight and hotel, others travel independently and simply ask the MX-Academy for a riding slot. From Switzerland it is around six hours by air. For more ideas for a day of fun in Dubai, see our separate guide.

Karting in Dubai and beyond: a rider on a red motocross bike with number 700 throws up a wall of orange sand

FAQ: Karting in Dubai

How old do you have to be for indoor karting in Dubai?

At the indoor track of the Dubai Kartdrome, drivers must be at least 7 years old and 1.25 m tall. The outdoor track is for drivers aged 13 and over.

Can I wear my own motocross helmet at the Dubai Kartdrome?

No. Motocross, off-road, skydiving and open-face helmets are not permitted. The Kartdrome provides helmets, race suits and balaclavas, and the full-face helmet must stay fastened.

What ID do I need for go-karting in Dubai?

At the Dubai Kartdrome every driver shows a valid ID at registration, for example an Emirates ID, passport or driving licence. For drivers under 18, a parent or legal guardian signs the disclaimer.

Can small children drive a kart in Abu Dhabi?

Yes. Yas Kartzone at Yas Marina Circuit has micro sessions with electric karts for children aged 3 to 6 and kids' sessions for ages 5 to 7.

Can you go karting at night in Dubai?

Yes. The outdoor circuit of the Dubai Kartdrome is floodlit for night racing, and the indoor track does not depend on daylight at all.

Can beginners race at the Dubai Kartdrome?

Yes. Rookie Race Nights are a stepping stone into racing. Drivers must be at least 13 and have completed at least 20 arrive-and-drive sessions on the outdoor track.