Driving Force
By Lucy Maher,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
High-speed reality show is OK for teen car lovers.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
In A&E's DRIVING FORCE, National Hot Rod Association drag racing champion John Force takes viewers on a wild ride as he both guides and, at times, struggles to maintain a hands-off attitude while his three daughters embark on their own racing careers. Driving Force is much more about the Force family dynamics than it is about racing. In each episode, John mentors and gives pointers to his daughters, all of whom are following in his racing footsteps: Ashley, 23, a former Rookie of the Year who has a Barbie Doll and Hot Wheels car named after her; Brittany, a 19-year-old college student; and Courtney, 17. In between traveling en masse from race to race and being a loving dad, John falls into coach mode, pressuring his daughters to win their races. When he becomes too tough on them, wife Laurie must remind him that above all, he's their father.
Is It Any Good?
John Force is a gruff character, and his harsh exterior belies his heart of gold. The show's humor comes from his interaction with his family; though they respect him, his daughters sometimes think he's out of touch, and their jokes and banter let him know it. Laurie isn't afraid to wear the pants, and it's entertaining to see her put John in his place.
Still, the Forces are a pretty unorthodox family, and viewers might be put off by their language and lifestyle (in one episode, for example, John jokes that he and his wife only get along because they live apart –- in two homes near each other.)
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how much influence a parent should have in a child's career choice. When is it OK for a parent to give advice, and when should mothers and fathers step aside and let their kids make their mistakes and learn from them?
TV Details
- Premiere date: July 17, 2006
- Cast: Ashley Force, Courtney Force, John Force
- Network: A&E
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: March 1, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate