This confused me too. But I think I've got it figured out. Once you unlock the highest license available in the game (Or at least the license that is required to drive the car you have unlocked online, or via sponsor code), you can use any car that is available and you have unlocked. So, even though you can play those cars online, people can set up races online that have rules like: "C License or worse" or "All Licenses" (Not the correct wording, but you know what I mean). So, some cars you have unlocked at one point may not even appear if the race has a rule that doesn't allow the use of such car.

Hopefully that is not too confusing, but I'm just now starting to figure it out (I hope). I have a B License right now, and have about 10 events to win to get the next license higher. A lot of cars I unlocked online are not available for my use at all yet.


You'll get better at figuring out the map. As much as you might hate it, you kind of have to memorize paths to get the fastest lap times and beat competitors. I have lost many a race because I missed a turn, or slammed into a wall. But, you learn your lessons quickly.

About invites, does it say "Can't Invite" beside my name? I have seen that beside people's names on MY friends list when I try to invite them. I think that it means the person is IN a race, or doing an event when you are trying to invite them. So I think your invite has to wait until they are done with the event. If I see you online too, I'll try to invite you in mine. I would like to complete some of the online team challenges, and maybe do a few races.

Hope that helps. Believe me, I've had the same confusion you have had, thanks to EA making 3 page instruction manuals now. They really cheaped out on this one with explaining things. I think I've started to figure a lot of things out about it now.