In order to keep AfterBurn a pedestrian- and art-friendly event, the number and size of vehicles that can be operated on the property are limited. There are five categories of powered vehicles:
- Vehicles for persons with disabilities
- Mutant vehicles
- Electric-powered unicycles, bicycles, and tricycles
- Staff vehicles
- Prohibited vehicles
Detailed rules for each category are are provided under “Vehicle Categories,” below.
General policies
- Motorized vehicles operated during the event must be covered by liability insurance.
- As an alternative to powered vehicles, pedal-powered bicycles are encouraged.
- Motorized wheelchairs and electric mobility scooters are permitted without registration
- Bicycles, wheelchairs, and mobility scooters must be illuminated at night for your own safety.
- At registration, vehicle operators will be required to review and sign a map showing where they may operate the vehicle. Any vehicle found driving elsewhere will be parked and prohibited from moving for the remainder of the event.
- In the event of rain, all vehicles are prohibited from driving on grass or soft terrain. Any vehicle that leaves tire ruts or damage will be parked and prohibited from moving for the remainder of the event.
Vehicle Sound Policies
Unless registered as a Sound Car, amplified music is limited to a personal speaker, such as a bluetooth rechargeable speaker. Amplified sound must be turned off during travel. Please read the Sound Policy, and email for more information.
Vehicle Categories
1: Vehicles for Persons with Disabilities
In the spirit of radical inclusion, persons with physical disabilities may register a vehicle in order to participate in AfterBurn. Because the total number of vehicles is limited, pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Email with information about your vehicle, and we’ll direct it to the Department of Mutant Vehicles.
- The vehicle owner must check in when they arrive on the property to be added to the Vehicle Registry and review the map to understand where they can drive.
- At check-in, the person with a disability must present a government-issued disability placard, and they must be in the vehicle whenever it is moving.
- The vehicle must be golf cart-sized or smaller.
- The vehicle must adhere to a strict 5 mph speed limit.
- The vehicle may be electric- or gas-powered.
- The vehicle must have headlights if used at night.
- Additional decorations and decorative lighting are encouraged.
- The vehicle must adhere to sound rules as set out by the Sound Marshall.
- Powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters are not required to register
2: Mutant Vehicles
Because we have limited room for vehicles at AfterBurn, there are no “art cars,” only mutant vehicles. Mutant vehicles are radically modified vehicles that are not merely decorated. They are modified or purpose-built pieces of mobile art that may not resemble a recognizable base car or truck. We use the same guidelines as the Burning Man DMV to make our determination (https://burningman.org/event/art-performance/mutant-vehicles/).
If your vehicle is radically mutated and you want to bring it to AfterBurn, you must register in advance. Send photos and a description of the vehicle’s mutation to , and it will be directed to the AfterBurn DMV.
- Every mutant vehicle owner must pre-apply for registration before the event with photos and a vehicle description. If they are invited, based on this application, they will receive an email invitation to bring their vehicle.
- The vehicle owner must check in when they arrive on the property to be added to the Vehicle Registry and review the map to understand where they can drive.
- The vehicle must be golf cart-sized or smaller.
- The vehicle must adhere to a strict 5 mph speed limit.
- The vehicle may be electric- or gas-powered.
- The vehicle must have headlights and radical illumination to be used at night.
- The vehicle must adhere to sound rules as set out by the Sound Marshall.
- Vehicles with trailers must incorporate a lighted barrier around the trailer hitch, and must include photos of the trailer barrier when they apply for registration.
- Vehicles with flame effects will be subject to CATS and must be approved before the flame effects can be used.
3: Electric Unicycles, Bicycles, and Tricycles
These vehicles have 1, 2, or 3 wheels and are powered by an electric motor.
- Although registration is not required, it is recommended that they check in when they arrive on the property to review the map.
- The vehicle must adhere to a strict 10 mph speed limit.
- The vehicle must be electric.
- The number of passengers must not exceed the number of wheels: There is a maximum of one passenger on one wheel, two passengers on a bicycle, and three passengers on a tricycle.
- The vehicle must have lights if used at night.
- The vehicle must adhere to sound rules as set out by the Sound Marshall.
4: Staff Vehicles
Staff vehicles are used by AfterBurn departments to make the event run smoothly. These golf carts are required to have headlights and must adhere to a 5 mph speed limit, unless they are involved in an emergency call.
5: Prohibited Vehicles
The following are prohibited and must be left parked for the duration of the event:
- Motorcycles
- 2-stroke engines
- Vehicles larger than a golf cart
- “Decorated” vehicles or “art cars” that are not associated with a disabled person
Questions? Use the Contact Form or email .