Driving Age For FRC
 

Hi at my FRC teams prior to our first competition we were informed that we our driver had to bee at lest 16 years old, however when we looked in the rule book we were told that you have to be pre college. Any information on this will be greatly appreciated.

Re: Driving Age For FRC
 

I believe student should be in High School (Jr High etc). Last year we had middle school student and they were told that they cannot be part of drive team.

Re: Driving Age For FRC
 

Whoever gave you the 16 year old requirement was wrong (at least in terms of the FRC Manual). The definition of DRIVER states that the student must only be pre-college.

EDIT:

The only time "high school" is used as a requirement for a student in the FRC Manual is:

Who can go in early at Champs (one must be post high school)
Who can submit a Woodie Flowers essay
Who can be awarded the Allaire Medal
A description of the program: I don't the the above quote applies any rules, but I could be wrong...

Re: Driving Age For FRC
 

Were you told this by a FIRST representative?

Re: Driving Age For FRC
 

Whenever you are told anything like this please ask the person telling you this to cite the rule in the manual. The discussion should be over at that point but if it is not go to the question box and discuss it with the head referee.

Re: Driving Age For FRC
 

I know of several teams who have pre-high school aged kids on drive team. The only official rule states that drivers and human players must be pre-college.

From the 2014 FRC Manual Glossery

Re: Driving Age For FRC
 

Heck, I know of entire teams that are made up entirely of middle school students. Would that same logic dictate that none of them can be a driver? I agree with kmitchell, if someone gives you that load of garbage again have them talk to the Head Referee or the FTA.

The only time a pre-college student should be asked to not be a driver is when they literally cannot see over the driver station to drive. In that case, go be the Human Player.

-Danny

Re: Driving Age For FRC
 

I don't think 193's ever had a driver over the age of 15. Young drivers are neither against the rules or necessarily a bad thing.

Re: Driving Age For FRC
 

Not necessarily. I remember a few years ago seeing a small driver standing on a box while operating.

Re: Driving Age For FRC
 

Are there other rules that state a maximum age, as "pre-college TEAM member" could include anyone not going to college?

Re: Driving Age For FRC
 

Common sence should come into play here... if you have finished highschool/senior year, and havent gone to college, YOU are still a college student. So no.

Re: Driving Age For FRC
 

it's pre-college student TEAM member, at least in the DRIVER definition. I would also assume "pre-college" means "hasn't had the chance to go to college yet", not "is not going to college [yet]".

Re: Driving Age For FRC
 

Yes, we determined that it did not give them an unfair advantage and the safety advisor also verified that it was not unsafe.

Re: Driving Age For FRC
 

Told by whom?

Whoever it was gave you incorrect information.

Re: Driving Age For FRC
 

Like what was said before. The only solid limit to the age is you must be pre-college. Last year I was a freshman driving and I was only 14.