Cyclocross Racing - First Race: Did you have a license?

So I just finished reading the latest article on cyclocrossworld.com, when I began to realize that the CX race season beings in September, and that is not too far away. I've been contemplating doing a CX race, but I don't race and I don't have a USCF license.

So here's the question:

Did you have a USCF license when you did your first race? And if you didn't have a license, did you have any issues with being allowed to race? Were there any extra fees for being an unlicensed racer, or insurance issues for that matter?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

You can buy a one day license for like an additional 5 or 10 dollars i think and that covers you for insurance. If you are going to race enough, you should buy the license, if not dont. The only stipulation is if you win your states championship race and you do not hold a USAC license you are not allowed to be the state champ.

I did my first few CX races without a license- just paid the extra $5 or $10 for the one-day license. No worries about insurance, etc.- that's covered by the one-day license. I bought my license as soon as it was available for the following year (November, I believe) so that I could stop buying one-days.

If you wait until cross season the license is half price. Check the website for the date.

Is the license from the road racing season, the same for CX?

your road license covers you, yes.

I also did one day licenses for the first several races I did. I think they run $10 a pop so you kind of have to do the math on whether or not it's worth it for you to buy a license. They may be half off when cross season starts but they expire Dec. 31st too.

Word on the street is that they will not be offering partial licenses this year:
http://crossbabble.blogspot.com/2007/07/no-partial-year-licenses-this-year.html

Word on the street is that they will not be offering partial licenses this year:
http://crossbabble.blogspot.com/2007/07/no-partial-year-licenses-this-year.html

This is what I received earlier from our district listserv:

As the season continues I wanted to ask you guys to please be reminding your
promoters, officials, and riders that there will no longer be the 'Half
Year' ($30) licenses. Riders can start purchasing their license for the
2008 season starting December 1st.

I did not have a year license and bought a single day license. There were only four races left it the series so for me I ended up spending $40 for the four races instead of the $60 for a year license. You just need to figure out how many races you will do and determine what the cheaper option is.

I just bought a road license and it included a CX license. You could pick up your license now and race a few crits to really get you in shape for CX season.