Choosing career mode | Basic information NfS Rivals Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
As soon as you start the game for the first time, you'll be asked whether you want to play as a Racer or as a Cop. DO NOT SUGGEST TO this choice, because during the prologue you'll be forced to pre-familiarize with both those careers. What's more, right after completing the prologue you'll be able to switch between careers with no problems (the last option in hideout/mobile command post menu). Depending on your preference you can try to play both of them more or less equally or to focus on one of them, completing it fully before proceeding to the second one.
My personal suggestion is to start Need for Speed Rivals with completing at least few chapters in Cop career. It is easier and will allow you to familiarize with basic gameplay elements as well as with driving model in less stressing conditions. During this career you do not have to worry so much about losing gathered speedpoints (SP), because in contrast to Racer career, it may only happen as a result of total scrapping of the controlled vehicle. You should get interested in Racer career only after getting to know game basics, reducing unnecessary frustration from frequent failures.