What is a Mutant Vehicle?
A Mutant Vehicle is a unique, motorised creation that shows little or no resemblance to their original form, or to any standard street vehicle. Mutant Vehicles are radically, stunningly, (usually) permanently, and safely modified from their base vehicle and are an expression of art and/or a public service that enhances the creativeness of the event whole in an imaginative and safe manner. Sometimes the whole vehicle is made from scratch.
Mutant Vehicles may include such non-standard motorised forms such as furniture, other non-street vehicles such as a boat or train, animals, or just about anything imaginable. For safety reasons, they must not mimic any type of emergency service or law enforcement vehicle.
More about Mutant Vehicles
Mutant vehicles are licensed by The Jilakin Rock City Department of Mutant Transport “the DMT”. The DMT also licenses vehicles for use by disabled participants.
The DMT must balance the desire to have vehicles at the event, with the community standards of keeping Blazing Swan a foot and bike-friendly event and maintaining a level of safety. Because of these limiting factors, not all vehicles can be licensed.
Vehicles merely stripped to the frame and engine, and vehicles with minimal changes or temporary decorations are not considered Mutant Vehicles.
When designing a Mutant Vehicle, we ask our community to use their Mutant Imagination! Your Mutant Vehicle should provide a sense of awe to the community, something that is unique and also interactive for others to enjoy!
Great Examples of Burning Man mutant vehicles for some inspiration can be found here – The Mutant Vehicles of Burning Man
Note: Your vehicle must not resemble an everyday vehicle of any sorts ie: a car with its roof cut off and simply covered in fur or lights. This will not be accepted as a mutant vehicle and thus will not be approved!
What about bikes and e-powered things?
You don't need a bike or scooter to get around Blazing Swan - the event site is small enough to explore on foot. But wheels can make getting around easier, and often a lot more fun.
Bicycles, scooters and other human-powered transport don't require a licence to operate at the event.
Low-powered electric options may also be used without licensing, provided they meet the relevant requirements.
Whatever you're riding, operate it safely, remain at a walking pace, give way to pedestrians, and make sure you're appropriately illuminated when travelling at night.
Read more in the Mutant Vehicle Guidelines.
Thinking of building/ bringing a mutant vehicle?
If you’re interested in building and bringing a Mutant Vehicle, please read more our page with more in-depth information here -
You can also contact the Department of Mutant Transport (DMT) to have your questions answered.