how to make a remote control car at home

November 30, 2025

Building a remote control (RC) car at home is one of the most exciting DIY projects for kids, teens, and even adults. But if you search online, most tutorials are either too complicated, missing steps, or don’t explain how RC control actually works. This guide fixes all of that by giving you three complete build paths — from the easiest “reuse an old toy” method to a phone-controlled Bluetooth RC car.

Whether you’re working on a school project, a STEM activity, or a weekend build, you’ll find everything you need here.

How Remote Control Cars Work (Explained Simply)

Before you start building, it helps to understand what makes a remote control car move.

Every RC car — homemade or store-bought — uses four key components:

1. Battery (Power Source)

This powers the motor, receiver, and lights.

2. Receiver

The part that receives signals from the remote (or phone, if using Bluetooth).

3. Motor(s)

These spin the wheels to drive the car forward, backward, or turn.

4. Chassis & Wheels

This is the car’s body, which can be made from cardboard, a plastic bottle, foam board, or wood.

Types of Homemade RC Control

You can build your homemade RC car using:

  • Recycled electronics from an old toy

  • RF remote control module (simple radio transmitter/receiver)

  • Bluetooth using Arduino and your smartphone

This article covers all three.

Materials You Can Use (Budget-Friendly Options)

Don’t worry — you do not need a 3D printer. Most of these materials are household items.

Chassis Options

  • Cardboard (easy to cut, perfect for kids)

  • Plastic bottle (lightweight and durable)

  • Foam board

  • Wooden popsicle sticks

Wheels

  • Bottle caps

  • Toy car wheels

  • Cardboard circles glued together

  • 3D-printed wheels (optional)

Motors & Electronics

Depending on your build level:

Level 1 (Easiest):

  • Salvaged motors & receiver from old RC toy

Level 2 (Beginner DIY):

  • 1–2 DC motors or TT gear motors

  • Battery pack (9V or AA)

  • RF receiver + remote

  • Switch

  • Wires, glue gun

Level 3 (Advanced/Phone-Controlled):

  • Arduino (Nano or Uno)

  • L298N motor driver

  • HC-05/HC-06 Bluetooth module

  • DC motors

  • Battery pack

Tools

  • Glue gun

  • Tape

  • Scissors or craft knife

  • Screwdriver

  • Soldering iron (optional)

LEVEL 1: Easiest DIY Method — Make an RC Car by Reusing an Old Toy

This is the fastest, safest, and most beginner-friendly way to make a remote control car at home.

Step 1: Salvage the electronics

Open an old/broken remote control car and remove:

  • Receiver board

  • Motors

  • Battery connector

  • Power switch

  • Antenna wire

These components are already matched to the original remote — no coding required.

Step 2: Build a new car body

Use cardboard or a plastic bottle:

  • Cut a rectangle or use the bottle horizontally.

  • Create holes for axles.

  • Attach wheels using skewers or wooden sticks.

Step 3: Mount motors

  • Glue the motor to the rear axle for driving.

  • If the toy had steering, reuse that mechanism; otherwise use a simple fixed front axle.

Step 4: Install receiver & battery

Glue or tape the receiver board to the chassis.
Keep wires tidy to avoid tangling in wheels.

Step 5: Power it up

Insert batteries into the remote and your car.
Test forward, reverse, and turning.

LEVEL 2: DIY Remote Control Car Using DC Motors + RF Kit

This level teaches you how to build a homemade RC car from scratch, using affordable electronics.

Step 1: Build the chassis

  • Cut a strong rectangle from cardboard or foam board.

  • Mark positions for front axle, rear axle, and motor mount.

Step 2: Create axle and wheel system

  • Use skewers or metal rods as axles.

  • Push wheels (bottle caps, toy wheels) onto the ends.

  • Ensure wheels spin freely.

Steering Options:

  • Simple: front wheels fixed; turning done by dual motors.

  • Intermediate: front wheels pivot using cardboard linkages.

Step 3: Install motors

Attach DC motors to the rear wheels.
Use hot glue or cable ties to secure tightly.

Step 4: Connect RF receiver

Most RF kits have:

  • Forward channel

  • Reverse channel

  • Left channel

  • Right channel

Wire motors accordingly.

Step 5: Power the system

  • Connect battery pack to the receiver.

  • Add an on/off switch.

Step 6: Test the car

Adjust wheel alignment if the car veers sideways.

LEVEL 3: Arduino + Bluetooth Remote Control Car (Phone-Controlled)

This is the most fun and customizable version — and perfect for science fairs or engineering projects.

Step 1: Gather extra electronics

  • Arduino Nano or Uno

  • L298N motor driver

  • Bluetooth module (HC-05/HC-06)

  • 2× DC motors

  • 1 battery pack

Step 2: Wire the circuit

  • Motors → L298N

  • L298N → Arduino

  • Bluetooth module → Arduino TX/RX

Remember: motors need separate power for best performance.

Step 3: Upload Arduino code

Simple code listens for Bluetooth commands from your phone:
“F” = forward
“B” = backward
“L” = left
“R” = right
“S” = stop

Step 4: Download phone app

Use any free Bluetooth controller app or custom RC app from the Play Store/App Store.

Step 5: Build the chassis & attach electronics

Use cardboard or a plastic box to hold the wires, battery, and Arduino securely.

Step 6: Test movement

Pair phone → send commands → car responds.

Designing the Car Body (Cardboard, Plastic Bottle, or 3D Print)

Cardboard:

Best for beginners. Easy to cut, shape, and glue.

Plastic Bottle:

Very durable; perfect for kids’ projects.
Cut windows, wheel arches, and paint the exterior.

3D Printed Body:

Great for advanced hobbyists wanting a clean, realistic car shell.

Safety Tips (Especially for Kids)

  • Keep batteries away from heat.

  • Do not short-circuit wires.

  • Avoid leaving Li-ion cells charging unattended.

  • Use insulated wires only.

  • Adult supervision recommended for cutting tools and motors.

Troubleshooting When Your DIY RC Car Doesn’t Work

Car doesn’t move

  • Check battery polarity

  • Ensure switch is ON

  • Reconnect any loose wires

Moves but won’t go straight

  • Adjust axle alignment

  • Ensure wheels are equal size

  • Check if one motor is weaker than the other

Very poor remote range

  • Straighten antenna

  • Replace remote batteries

  • Move wires away from motor interference

Bluetooth not working

  • Recheck module pairing (default PIN usually 1234 or 0000)

  • Match Arduino baud rate

  • Test motors directly from battery to confirm they work

Fun Upgrades for Your Homemade RC Car

Take your build to the next level:

Cosmetic Upgrades

  • Paint the body

  • Add decals

  • Add a cardboard spoiler

Functional Upgrades

  • LED headlights

  • Brake lights

  • Suspension system

  • Larger wheels for off-road

Smart Upgrades

  • Line-following mode

  • Obstacle detection using ultrasonic sensor

  • FPV camera for first-person view

Project Variations for Schools & STEM Programs

  • “Build a car from recycled materials only” challenge

  • Competitive RC car races

  • Arduino engineering fair project

  • Speed optimization challenge

  • Phone-controlled robotics demo

FAQs: How to Make a Remote Control Car at Home

What is the easiest way to build a remote control car at home?

The simplest method is reusing electronics from an old RC toy and creating a new cardboard or plastic bottle chassis.

Do I need Arduino to make an RC car?

No. You can use an RF kit or even salvage an old toy’s circuit.

Can kids build a remote control car safely?

Yes — with adult supervision for cutting, wiring, and battery use.

How much does it cost?

Level 1 costs $0–$10; Level 2 costs ~$15–$25; Level 3 (Arduino) costs ~$25–$40.

Can I use waste materials?

Absolutely — bottles, cardboard, caps, and scrap plastic all work great.

Final Thoughts

Making a remote control car at home is not just fun — it teaches creativity, problem-solving, engineering, and electronics. Whether you take the easy, intermediate, or Bluetooth-powered advanced path, you’ll end up with a fully working RC car that’s uniquely yours.