The paper presents the results of the experimental studies of the frictional resistance of sheet metal used in the automotive industry in the process of its formation. The friction tests are carried out on a special installation designed to reproduce the friction resistance arising at the edge of the die during the metal sheet drawing. It is established that the friction factor can vary significantly in the process of sheet deformation. A comparative analysis of the experiment results and the finite-element sheet drawing simulation is carried out. It is shown that the developed finite-element model allows adequately determining the friction factor under large metal deformations.