Driving Age For FRC

[EliStevens12]

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.

[Tungrus]

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.

[BigJ]

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.

Originally Posted by Glossary

DRIVER: a pre-college student TEAM member responsible for operating and controlling the ROBOT.

EDIT:

Originally Posted by Tungrus

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.

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:

FRC pairs high school students with adult mentors (primarily engineers and teachers) to design and build robots that compete against one another in this high energy “Varsity Sport for the Mind™”.

I don't the the above quote applies any rules, but I could be wrong...

[Botwoon]

Originally Posted by Tungrus

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.

Were you told this by a FIRST representative?

[kmitchell]

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.

[Knufire]

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

DRIVER: a pre-college student TEAM member responsible for operating and controlling the ROBOT.

HUMAN PLAYER: a pre-college TEAM member delegated to manage the BALLS while the BALLS are not on the FIELD.

[Danny Diaz]

Originally Posted by Knufire

I know of several teams who had pre-high school aged kids on drive team.

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

[wmarshall11]

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.

[T^2]

Originally Posted by Danny Diaz

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.

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

[Mastonevich]

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

[MattRain]

Originally Posted by Mastonevich

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

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.

[BigJ]

Originally Posted by Mastonevich

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

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]".

[kmitchell]

Originally Posted by T^2

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

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

[Brian C]

Originally Posted by EliStevens12

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.

Told by whom?

Whoever it was gave you incorrect information.

[orangemoore]

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.