National Show Ski Association - Tested Driver Program#

For the purpose of driving for “Show Skiing,” three (3) classifications of NSSA Learner’s Permit and Tested Driver ratings are offered. The written testing covers aspects of all three classifications where as practical testing is conducted for each classification.

• Class A Driver Learner’s Permit and Class A Driver Ratings - covers inboard and single engine outboard boats
• Class B Driver Rating - covers twin rig and Class A boats
• Class C Driver Rating - covers triple rig and Class A and B boats

1. All drivers of towboats, pick-up boats, and any other watercraft in USA Water Ski & Wake Sports (USA-WSWS) sanctioned practices, exhibitions, clinics, and tournaments must comply with and meet all requirements for boater’s training and/or licensing under state law applicable in the driver’s state of residence. For more information on boating resources and your state’s boating laws, visit the “Waterways” page on USA-WSWS Web site.
2. In addition to the above, boat drivers who tow skiers in USA-WSWS sanctioned practices, exhibitions, clinics, and tournaments shall possess a current Learner’s Permit or NSSA Tested Driver rating and must:
   • be at least 18 years of age and a current Active member of USA-WSWS (GrassRoots members are not eligible)
   • always have a current and valid motor vehicle operator’s license while they hold an NSSA driver’s rating (or, in the case of a rated driver who does not currently hold a motor vehicle operator’s license, demonstrate that the reason that he/she does not currently hold this license is not because his/her motor vehicle operator’s license privileges have been suspended or revoked)
   • immediately report to USA-WSWS any suspension or loss of their motor vehicle operator’s license
   • meet minimum “safe driving” standards established by NSSA at all times

• Student Driver Manual
• NSSA Drivers Practical Experience Record
• NSSA Team Drivers Practical Experience Record
• Application For Learner's Permit Class "B" & "C"
• NSSA On-Water Evaluation For Class A Driver Learner's Permit
• NSSA Tournament Drivers Record

MVR Reviews may only be performed for valid driver’s licenses issued by a state within the United States or a Canadian province (excluding Alberta).

All NSSA drivers must successfully pass an MVR Review to acquire a driver’s rating and again once every two years thereafter to maintain a driver’s rating. To complete the MVR Review:

Go to 

•  From your Member Dashboard, go to Driver Programs/MVR Review and follow the instructions to complete your MVR Review application and pay the screening fee.

Typically, it takes two to three business days for the results to be returned to USA Water Ski & Wake Sports. Note that MVR Reviews for Canada and the state of Pennsylvania take significantly longer. USA-WSWS will send a pass/fail notification via e-mail from 

Drivers who fail an MVR Review will have their current driver’s rating suspended and will not be authorized to serve in any boat driving capacity at USA-WSWS-sanctioned events until they have successfully passed an MVR Review and had their driver’s rating restored. Individuals who successfully pass an MVR Review within five years of being suspended, will be eligible to retake the on-water practical evaluation to reinstate their previous driver’s rating held at the time of suspension. Individuals who do not successfully pass an MVR Review within five years of being suspended will be required to take the online course or attend a classroom clinic before being allowed to retake the on-water practical evaluation to reinstate their previous driver’s rating. Prior to testing for reinstatement, drivers must acquire the appropriate Learner’s Permit to be eligible to drive at any sanctioned event.

In addition to the general requirements above, aspiring NSSA Tested Drivers must obtain a Learner’s Permit for the classification for which they are applying as outlined below.

NSSA CLASS A DRIVER LEARNER’S PERMIT:

1. Successfully pass a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Review as outlined in the instructions above

2. Complete the online Class A Driver Learner’s Permit course, available through your USA-WSWS Members-Only Dashboard, and successfully pass the written exam.

3. Successfully pass the on-water practical evaluation administered by a NSSA Tested Class A, B or C rated driver

• To locate a qualified driver in your area, go to the Officials Directory on the USA-WSWS website and choose the selections below.

1. Select the applicable region or state(s)

2. Sport Discipline = NSS

3. Rating Type = Driver

4. Level = All

5. Click on the “Search” button to retrieve the listing of qualified drivers

• Upon successful completion of the practical evaluation, the test administrator should return the practical evaluation form to the USA-WSWS Official’s Coordinator via email, fax or mail.
• USA-WSWS will verify that the applicant has met all necessary requirements, issue the learner’s permit, and send a notification via e-mail.

Class A Driver Learner’s Permits are valid for two years from the date of issue at which time the permit expires. If the driver does not complete the Class A Driver on-water practical evaluation to advance to a Class A Driver before the permit expires, the driver can request a one-time two-year renewal of the permit by driving a USA-WSWS/NSSA-sanctioned show ski tournament or driving ten hours of USA-WSWS sanctioned show ski club practices/exhibitions each of the last two years.

NSSA CLASS B AND C DRIVER LEARNER’S PERMIT:

1. must hold a current NSSA Class A or Class B Driver’s rating (a waiver request may be submitted in writing to the NSSA Drivers’ Committee when a team does not have a specific boat related to each rating)

2. complete a NSSA Class B and C Learner’s Permit Application and submit to USA-WSWS

3. USA-WSWS will verify that the applicant has met all necessary requirements, issue the applicable learner’s permit, and send a notification via e-mail.

Class B and C Driver Learner’s Permits are valid for two years from the date of issue at which time the permit expires. If the driver does not complete the Class B or C Driver on-water practical evaluation to advance to a Class B or C Driver before the permit expires, the driver can request a renewal of the permit by driving a USA-WSWS/NSSA-sanctioned show ski tournament or driving ten hours of USA-WSWS sanctioned show ski club practices/exhibitions each of the last two years.

Written and practical evaluations are conducted in conjunction with USA-WSWS sanctioned NSSA Drivers’ Clinics conducted by a NSSA-Approved Test Administrator. There is a $10 clinic fee required for each participating driver. Upon successful completion of the applicable testing, attendees will be awarded a NSSA Class A, B or C driver rating.

Locating a Clinic: Go to Officials Clinic Calendar to view a list of currently sanctioned clinics. Check back often as this list is updated as new clinics are sanctioned.

Locating a Clinic Instructor: For a list of NSSA-approved test administrators/clinic instructors, go to the Officials Directory on the USA-WSWS website and make the selections below.

Select the applicable region or state(s)

Sport Discipline = NSS

Rating Type = Driver

Level = All

Limit to Instructors = True

Click on the “Search” button to retrieve the listing of qualified drivers

Sanctioning a Clinic: Complete and submit a NSSA Drivers Clinic Sanction Form. 

Clubs hosting clinics must provide their own skiers for the on-water practical portion of the clinic. Refer to the “Host Club Responsibilities” located on page two of the sanction application for additional information on hosting a clinic.

In order to maintain a NSSA Tested Driver rating, a driver must:

• drive in one USA-WSWS sanctioned show ski tournament per calendar year and your information recorded on the NSSA Tournament Drivers’ Record submitted for your team, signed by the Chief Judge, and returned to USA-WSWS Headquarters with the required post tournament documents; OR
• perform ten hours of practical driving experience at USA-WSWS sanctioned show ski club practices/exhibitions per calendar year and the experience documented on the NSSA Tested Driver Individual or Team Practical Experience Record and signed off by the appropriate verifying official. This form must be returned to USA-WSWS before December 31st of the following year. A late fee of $25 must be submitted if the form is received after the December 31st deadline.
• successfully pass a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Review once every two years
• attend a continuing education clinic or course once every four years, which can include any of the following:

1. USA-WSWS sanctioned NSSA Drivers’ Clinic conducted by a NSSA-approved Test Administrator (includes classroom and on-water practical evaluations conducted at a clinic)
2. NSSA Online Continuing Education Course
3. Proof of completion of a NASBLA (National Association of Safe Boating Law Administrators)-approved safety boating course.
4. USA-WSWS sanctioned Safety Clinic attendance (can be used for credit but only once every ten years) USA-WSWS will notify drivers via email when their MVR Review and/or clinic are due for renewal.

If a driver is unable to fulfill the rating maintenance requirements due to an event or condition over which he has no control, he may be eligible to petition the NSSA Drivers’ Committee for a hardship renewal. Hardship Petition request forms are available upon request from USA Water Ski Headquarters.

If a driver does not fulfill his maintenance requirements for a given year, he will be required to retake the practical driving portion of the test to be reinstated.

To become a NSSA Driver’s Clinic Instructor/Test Administrator, you must:

1. attend the program and successfully pass both the written and practical evaluations
2. assist a NSSA Driver Clinic Instructor with three additional USA-WSWS sanctioned NSSA Driver Clinics with a minimum of three students per clinic
3. be evaluated at an additional clinic by an examiner other than the one who you assisted with the first three clinics. This examiner will evaluate you and then submit a written report to the Drivers Committee Chair as to your ability to run a clinic. Your application will then be presented to the committee where it will be voted on to accept or reject you as a clinic instructor.
4. The procedures are following.

STUDENT DRIVER EXAMINER/ INSTRUCTOR PROCESS

A person who would like to become an NSSA driver examiner/instructor will have to follow the below procedure:

1. Submit a letter of intent to the Driver Committee and complete the NSSA Tested Driver Program Examiner Qualification form (available in the P&P)

The letter must include:

• Experience in water skiing

o Include tournaments – skiing, driving, officiating, etc.

• Experience in driving a boat, including the following:

o any current ratings

o tournaments driven

o average hours per year driving NSSA sanctioned events

o average hours per year driving other USAWS sanctioned events

• Coaching or teaching experience

• Current and future commitment to the sport

• Current and past club affiliations

• Reason for wanting to become an NSSA Driver Examiner


2. The candidate may undergo an interview (in person or by phone) with the driver committee at one of the committee meetings, WI Think Tank/Expo, D1 Nationals, or NSSA yearly meeting or via teleconference.

 

3. The boat driver committee will review the letter of intent and interview, and make a determination if the candidate is suitable to proceed with the student driver examiner process.


4. Assist with a least one classroom or dryland clinic with an accredited examiner


5. Teach under the supervision of a current accredited NSSA driver examiner a complete classroom or dryland clinic

• This may include a regular classroom for ratings, or a clinic held at a sanctioned event

o Sanctioned events may include items such as

 Think Tank/Expo and Conference, other water ski conferences

 Ski Motion/Ski Camp/Etc.


6. Assist with at least 3 on water practical exams with an accredited examiner

• Student examiner/instructor will teach/instruct/examine a portion of the 3rd session


7. Student will do a complete on water exam under the supervision of an accredited NSSA driver examiner who the student has not done been with for an on water practical exam.


8. Once the above steps are complete the Driver Committee will review the student’s activities and make a determination of

qualifications.

The student can do this in any order but must assist in each of the classroom and practical on water clinics before doing a student teaching/instructing of those portions.