Abstract: A biometric recognition system for a vehicle includes a support portion, a vein reader sensor disposed on the support portion, and a control member configured to control a function of the vehicle. The control member has a top surface and a bottom surface and defines an opening extending through the control member from the top surface to the bottom surface. The control member is moveable relative to the support portion to a first position. The opening is aligned with the vein reader sensor and the top surface is a first distance from the vein reader sensor when the control member is in the first position. The first distance is configured to optimize biometric verification of an operator's hand gripping the control member.