On May 29, 2002, Scottsdale Insurance, EDGE&TA's insurance carrier, agreed to allow a youth between 12 and 16 years of age to operate tractors and other motorized vehicles at EDGE&TA functions if he or she is a member of EDGE&TA, has completed an EDGE&TA Youth Driver Training Program and has passed the Operational Safety Tests. A youth who passes the Operational Safety Tests will be awarded a Youth Driver Training Certification Card which remains in effect until the youth reach the age when he or she can obtain a Motor Vehicle Operators License from the state in which he or she resides. An additional insurance premium for the current year will not be required.
Note: The Youth Driver Certification program is not available to young drivers wishing to particpate in tractor rides on public roads. A driver on a public road must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver's license or learner's permit.
The Youth Driver Training Program is to be conducted by the parent or sponsor of the youth at home or at a location away from the general public at an EDGE&TA function. The training is to consist of familiarization with the various parts of the vehicle. These parts include the location of the clutch, brakes, brake locks or parking brake, shift pattern, fuel shut off valve, ignition switch, starter, fuel tank and type of fuel used, PTO and belt pulley operation (if vehicle is so equipped), and any other special features of the vehicle.
When the parent or sponsor is satisfied that the youth driver has mastered the above items, instruction in the safe operation of the vehicle will begin. It is recommended that the youth driver complete several hours of supervised operation of the vehicle at home or at a location away from the general public. Included in the operational phase of the instruction are starting and shutting off the vehicle, smoothly moving or stopping the vehicle, backing up the vehicle, parking the vehicle as if to leave it parked for a period of time, backing the vehicle into position to hook up to a piece of equipment, following other vehicles at a safe parade distance, and operating the vehicle where people or other equipment are present.
When the parent or sponsor is satisfied that the youth driver has had adequate training to operate the vehicle safely, the parent or sponsor will complete the Applicant Test Form for the testing phase of the program and submit it to Troy Rhodes, HCAT&EC's Safety Officer. The form may be completed and submitted to Troy Rhodes at the beginning of an EDGE&TA-sponsored event such as HCAT&EC's annual show, sent to him by email at fbgzoo@ktc.com or copied, completed and sent to him by conventional mail at:
Troy Rhodes, Safety
Officer
Hill Country Antique Tractor &
Engine Cluub
4448 Highway 16 South
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
When Troy receives the Applicant Test Form, he will schedule a time for testing. He and at least one other HCAT&EC member will conduct the tests. The parent or sponsor must accompany the youth during the testing phase of the program.
When the test has been completed satisfactorilly, the Application Form will be signed by Troy Rhodes and then forwarded to EDGE&TA's National Safety Officer, who will issue the Youth Driver Training Certification Card. A temporary Certification Card may be issued by the HCAT&EC for a 30 day period or until EDGE&TA's National Safety Officer sends an official card.
The Certification Card will remain in effect until the youth driver reaches the age required to obtain a Motor Vehicle License from the state in which he or she resides. If the youth driver changes vehicles, he or she must go through the certification process again while driving the new vehicle.
The instruction and training phase of the certification program is to be accomplished by the parent or sponsor of a youth between 12 and 16 years of age over a period of time prior to the administration of the testing phase of the Youth Driver Certification Program. This training may be conducted at home or at a location away from the general public at an EDGE&TA function. The instruction and training phase should consist of familiarization and operation of various parts of the tractor or other motorized vehicle to include the location of the clutch, brakes, brake locks or parking brake, shift pattern, fuel shut off valve, ignition switch, starter, fuel tank and type fuel used, PTO and belt pulley operation (if the vehicle is so equipped), emergency shut down procedures and any other special features of the vehicle.
When the parent or sponsor feels the youth has acquired sufficient knowledge to safely operate the tractor or other motorized vehicle, the application form is to be completed and presented to the branch person conducting the testing phase of the program.
At a designated time and place the driver testing program will be conducted by the Safety Officer and/or his designated representatives. The number of individuals required will depend upon the number of students to be tested and the time allotted for the test.
Safety-Troy Rhodes, The Safety Officer, or his designated representative will discuss the safety rules for the show grounds, parades, and tractor pulls (if applicable) with each applicant. When this has been completed each applicant willbe asked to wait by his or her tractor or other motorized vehicle until the Safety Officer asks him or her to get on the equipment.
Familiarization Testing-(Test #1) The Safety Officer will discuss the basic operation of the tractor or other motorized vehicle with each student to determine if the student is familiar with the equipment. If the Safety Officer is satisfied that the student is qualified to begin the operational phase of the test, the student will be asked to get on the tractor or other vehicle and demonstrate to the Safety Officer their knowledge and the location of the following items on that particular piece of equipment;
The Safety Officer will ask each student to start the equipment, move it a short distance in low gear, and bring it to a safe, smooth stop. (This may be repeated several times if the Safety Officer feels that it is necessary.) If satisfied that a student has demonstrated his or her ability to control the equipment in a safe manner, the Safety Officer will circle PASS after TEST #1 on the application form, sign in the appropriate place on the form, and then ask the student to line up behind the tractor leading the parade test.
Parade Test-(Test #2) The Safety Officer driving the lead tractor will conduct each student (individually or as a group) on a short parade, stopping and starting several times to insure that each student is able to maintain the proper distance between his or her equipment and the one in front (EDGE&TA Parade Safety Rules will apply). If satisfied that a student has demonstrated his or her ability to control the equipment in a safe manner, the Safety Officer will circle PASS after TEST #2 on the application form, sign in the appropriate place on the form, and then have the student proceed to the next part of the test.
Backing the Vehicle Test-(Test #3) Each student will be asked to back the tractor or other motorized vehicle up a small incline and/or up to a set of cones, stop the vehicle, shift into neutral gear, set the parking brake, and remove his/her feet from the brake pedals to demonstrate that the parking brakes are working. If an incline is not available, the student may be asked to back up into a set of cones, stopping as close as possible to the cones without knocking them over. When requested by the Safety Officer, the student will put the vehicle in gear and safely drive forward from the incline or cone area and then stop. If satisfied with the student's performance, the Safety Officer will circle PASS after TEST #3 on the application form, sign the form in the appropriate place, and ask the student to drive back to the starting area or to the next location for testing.
Pull Test-(Test #4) (This test applies only if a student will be entering pulling competition or will be pulling other equipment.) The Safety Officer will ask the student to back up to a piece of equipment such as a sled. After backing the tractor safely into position, the student is to stop the tractor, shift into neutral gear, and raise both hands to signal that he or she is ready to hook up to the equipment. When the equipment has been connected to the tractor, the student is to shift the tractor into low gear and safely move the equipment a short distance. The student then is to stop the tractor, unhook it from the equipment and move the tractor away a short distance. If satisfied that the student has demonstrated his or her ability to control the tractor in a safe manner, the Safety Officer will circle PASS after TEST #4 on the application form, sign the form in the apropriate place, and ask the student to drive safely back to the starting area.
After the student returns to the starting area, he or she is to wait until the Safety Officer/Instructor signs the application form and issues a temporary driving certificate. Once the student has received the temporary certificate, he or she will be allowed to participate in parades, tractor pulls, and other activities in the same way as members who have valid Motor Vehicle Operators Licenses.
If an additional tractor or other motorized vehicle is to be added to the certificate, a new test for that piece of equipment will be administered.
NAME________________________________________________________________________________ AGE____________________
ADDRESS______________________________________________________________________________________________________
CITY_______________________________________________ STATE_________________________ ZIP________________________
PARENT/SPONSOR_____________________________________________________________________________________________
TEST #1 INSTRUCTOR__________________________________________(circle one of the following) PASS FAIL
TEST #2 INSTRUCTOR__________________________________________(circle one of the following) PASS FAIL
TEST #3 INSTRUCTOR__________________________________________(circle one of the following) PASS FAIL
TEST #4 INSTRUCTOR_________________________________________ (circle one of the following) PASS FAIL
APPROVED FOR EDGE&TA-SPONSORED SHOW OR TRACTOR PARADE (circle one of the following) PASS FAIL /p> DESCRIPTION OF EQUIPMENT_______________________________________________________________________
I understand that my child or ward will be operating a tractor or motorized vehicle at EDGE&TA-sponsored shows and parades and I will be responsible for his or her activities.
SIGNATURE OF PARENT OR SPONSOR___________________________________________________________________________
PRINT NAME__________________________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
CITY_______________________________________________ STATE_________________________ ZIP________________________