R 431.4255 Drivers; licensing.

Rule 4255. (1) A person who desires to drive a harness horse at a race meeting licensed by the executive director is required to obtain a license from the executive director, upon the recommendation of the stewards, whether or not the person possesses any other license. (2) Every applicant for a driver's license shall satisfy the stewards in a manner prescribed by the stewards, that he or she meets all of the following qualifications: (a) Has had at least 1 year's training experience and has demonstrated the ability to drive. (b) Is physically and mentally competent to drive. (c) Is knowledgeable of, and conversant in, the training and driving of harness horses. (d) Is familiar with the rules of racing. (e) Has a minimum of 20/40 corrected vision in both eyes or, if the individual is blind in 1 eye, not less than 20/30 corrected vision in the other eye, as certified by a licensed optometrist, oculist, or ophthalmologist. (f) Is not less than 16 years of age. (g) Is the holder of a currently valid A (full), V (probationary), P (provisional) or Q (qualifier) license issued by the United States Trotting Association, or comparable licensing issued by Standardbred Canada. (3) Proper licensing notwithstanding, the stewards at any race meeting may refuse to permit any driver to compete in a race if, in their judgment, he or she is unfit, unqualified, or too inexperienced to drive. The driver may be required to submit to a physical examination under conditions specified by the stewards. (4) A person aspiring to become a driver may, after successfully completing a written exam administered by the United States Trotting Association or Standardbred Canada, apply for licensing to drive in qualifying races and nonbetting races only. Persons granted Q licenses shall be not less than 16 years of age and have the approval of the stewards. All persons driving in races on a track licensed by the executive director shall do so under the scrutiny of the stewards and, where instituted, a horsemen's advisory committee, which shall present its observations to the stewards in writing. To aid in making a determination on the ability and qualifications of the holder of a Q license, the stewards may require the driver to go a rated mile, with the times for the mile and the quarters thereof to be declared beforehand by the driver. The holder of a Q license shall perform not less than 12 satisfactory qualifying drives before being advanced to a P license. (5) A driver holding a P license shall not be considered for advancement to an A license by the stewards until he or she has qualified pursuant to 1 of the following provisions: (a) Had at least 1 year's driving experience while holding a P license, plus 25 satisfactory pari-mutuel starts in the calendar year before application. (b) Had less than 1 year's driving experience while holding a P license, but had not less than 50 satisfactory pari-mutuel starts and the written approval from the stewards at a recognized meet. (c) Made 25 satisfactory starts at pari-mutuel or grand circuit meetings in the 2 calendar years preceding the date of application if he or she has had not less than 50 satisfactory fair starts. (6) A driver who presently holds a license and wishes to obtain a license in a higher category and who has not previously submitted to a written test may be required to take a written test before becoming eligible to obtain a license in a higher category. (7) Repeated rule violations are grounds for refusal to grant, or grounds for revocation of, any driver's license.