DMV FAQ
Q. What is the DMV?A. The BRC Department of Mutant Vehicles licenses, registers and advises operators of art cars and their vehicles for movement within Black Rock City during the Burning Man event.
Q. Why does Burning Man have a DMV?
A. 1. We have a permit requirement with federal agencies to regulate the movement of vehicles within Black Rock City. 2. Sometimes art comes with a motor; sometimes art hurts. 3. Vehicles moving in Black Rock City are a hazard to pedestrians (see point 2 above).
Q. Why can't all cars drive on the playa?
A. Burning Man has experienced problems with pedestrians and bicycles in the past. Our city is designed for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Art cars offer a new dimension to our city, and while we desire to have this art form amongst us, we are required by the legalism OF OUR PERMIT TO REGULATE ART CAR PARTICIPATION.
Q. What's an art car?
A. An art car is art on wheels -- a radically altered vehicle whose purpose is that of an art installation. Because all art is subjective, all vehicles will be inspected, not judged, and if deemed acceptable, licensed.
Q. How do I get a license for my art car?
A. DMV registration starts in May and ends on July 19th. If fire is a part of your vehicle (e.g. flamethrowers, burners, gas lights), this vehicle needs to be registered with the PYRO department. Then, when you get your art car to the playa, your vehicle needs to come immediately to the DMV camp to be inspected.
Q. Can I get a license in advance?
A. No. You can pre-register your art vehicle using the link provided above, which will save you (and us) the time of doing that paperwork on the playa, but all licenses are granted upon playa inspection only. Pre-registration does NOT guarantee that your vehicle will be licensed.
Q. Why should I bother getting a license for my art car?
A. BRC permits for the event require that all vehicle movement be regulated. (See "Why does Burning Man have a DMV?" below.)
Q. What's the worst thing that can happen to me if I blow off this process?
A. If you are stopped by Black Rock Rangers for not being licensed, you will get a warning the first time. If you're stopped by Black Rock Rangers a second time, your vehicle will be impounded until the end of the event. If you are stopped by the BLM, you will be fined $125 for violation of the Burning Man event permit.
Q. Yippee! I got a license! Where can I take this thing?
A. There are three different areas you might be licensed for, according to the size of your vehicle. Small vehicles (scooters, compact cars, golf carts, motorized sofas) are "usually" licensed for everywhere except the Esplanade. Medium vehicles (nothing bigger than a car chassis) are "usually" licensed for the streets and open playa spaces, largely so that you can provide mass transit services to the general population. Large vehicles (busses and anything else we deem) are playa only -- you may drive from camp directly to the playa art space (where, again, we hope you provide mass transit services).
Q. Can I drive at any time of the day?
A. That depends on what kind of license you have. Not all vehicles can be operated after dark. If you want to take your art car out at night, it must be FULLY AND RADICALLY illuminated (in addition to running lights), and/or the illumination must be the artwork itself. We are NOT talking about a couple of strands of Christmas lights or glowsticks.
Q. Does my beer holder need to be inside the vehicle?
A. Funny you should ask that -- it is against the law to drink and drive in Nevada. If you are driving a vehicle that transports others around our city, and those people are drinking, you are in effect a chauffeur. As the driver of a vehicle, you are personally responsible for the actions of your passengers. Should your vehicle be a bar or other designed party atmosphere, it is important for you to remain sober and not imbibe while your passengers do as they please. Federal and Nevada laws state that a driver cannot have an open container of alcohol. Tickets WERE issued last year by the Nevada law enforcement at Burning Man.
Q. I'm disabled and need a conveyance to get around. Do I have to decorate my wheelchair or golf cart?
A. No. We would love it if you did, but it is not required. Bring your state-issued disabled permit to DMV and we will issue you a license. If you do not have a state-issued license for disability, your vehicle will not be licensed at Burning Man. Understand that licensed vehicles, not individuals, are held accountable for violations of rules at Black Rock City. Please remember that the car can only be used by the person holding the permit; if caught without that person in the vehicle it WILL be impounded.
Q. I've got one of them nifty scooters -- do I need a license for that?
A. No, so long as it is designed for the transportation of a single standing passenger. Vespas and similarly styled vehicles are considered mopeds/motorcycles, and they do need a license. Make sure that you observe the speed limit and the NO DUST rules!
Q. What about my wind-powered skateboard?
A. Yes, you do need a license for this type of conveyance. If your wind-powered vehicle is designed to hold two or more people, you may only operate the vehicle outside the fenceline of Black Rock City. Please see the Wind Powered Vehicle Specification & Regulations section of the Burning Man DMV regulations.
Q. My mobile mushroom shoots flames. Is this cool?
A. Of course it's cool, but it must follow fire regulations. If your vehicle's concept includes fire, when you pre-register your vehicle, check the 'pyro-enabled' box. You will be directed to the Pyro questionnaire. When you arrive on site, in addition to registering with the DMV, your vehicle will need to be approved by the Pyro Team.
Q. I have this old ambulance/police cruiser that I am stoked to bring.
A. If from 500 feet away, your vehicle appears to be an emergency service vehicle, it will NOT be licensed as an art vehicle. Remember that art cars are RADICALLY ALTERED.
Q. What isn't an art car?
A. Anything that is solely designed to get your lazy ass around Burning Man or anything you haven't RADICALLY altered to be art.
Q. Dude, what's up with all these rules? This isn't Burning Man, it's Catholic school!
A. No, it's not. I have the uniforms, and this is different. If you would like to wear the uniform, we can accommodate you. Please read the rest of this FAQ and understand that YES, these are the rules. It is our job to provide you with this information, and it is your job to make your own decisions about what to do with this information. We certainly hope that you take these rules seriously and understand that they exist for the benefit of the entire Black Rock community. If you want to abuse or break these rules, feel free -- but we will catch you.
Q. In a nutshell, what's different from last year?
A. From a "rules" standpoint: enforcement. Every vehicle is allowed only one strike. Strike #2 means the vehicle goes immediately to the impound lot, conveniently located next to the law enforcement HQ -- even if your vehicle is your home. DMV is increasing focus on the safety factor -- for drivers, passengers and pedestrians alike. Remember, BRC is a pedestrian city. Art vehicles exist to enhance, not hinder, the overall Black Rock experience, not your own. You may find these rules to be a buzzkill. Sorry. Our continuing goal is the same -- radical vehicular art and community safety.
Q. Where can I go to check out what people are doing with art cars or to meet/talk to other art car people?
A. http://www.artcars.com/ or http://www.armory.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/bm-artcars
Q. Can I bribe a DMV worker?
A. Not even if you're dating a DMV Hottie(tm)
