Mutant vehicles are licenced 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.
Moving Pictures ! Mutant Vehicles at Blazing Swan - How we do it.
2026 Mutant Vehicle Applications have closed
Please direct any inquiries to dmt@blazingswan.com.au
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.
Vehicles merely stripped to the frame and engine, and vehicles with minimal changes or temporary decorations are not considered Mutant Vehicles.
When designing your Mutant Vehicle, use your 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!
For full details on all Mutant Vehicle requirements, please download our Mutant Vehicle Guide below
Mutant Vehicle Guide
Mutant Vehicle FAQ
How are Mutant Vehicles different from any art car?
A Mutant Vehicle is, in essence, a specific variety of art car that is more modified, customised or changed (i.e. ‘mutated”) from its original form, if any, than most art cars.
The Mutant Vehicle classification was specifically created for use in Jilakin Rock City (JRC). The classification was created because the term “art car” can have a broad definition and because of the limit on the number of vehicles the DMT can license, the DMT needed a classification that better described the level of ‘mutation’ that was required for a license.
Mutant Vehicles are integral to the culture and community at Blazing Swan. They contribute to the surreal, visual quality that binds Jilakin Rock City together.
Non-negotiable requirements
If you are interested in bringing a Mutant Vehicle to Jilakin Rock City your vehicle must comply with the requirements laid out in Mutant Vehicle Guide available for download on this page.
This includes requirements on:
- Mutant Vehicle licence criteria and classifications
- Design and safety
- Vehicle driving protocols and rules at the Blazing Swan event
You must also comply with any applicable WA legislation set out by the Department of Transport if you are planning to drive your Mutant Vehicle to Blazing Swan. Either contact them to check requirements on vehicle modifications that may affect your ability to drive your Mutant Vehicle legally on WA’s roads or head here for information –
https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/modify-or-construct-a-vehicle.asp
Should you wish to operate your mutant vehicle at Blazing Swan, you then need to carry out the following –
- Register and have your mutant vehicle approved by the DMT.
- Apply for your JRC driving licence
Please note – Having your Mutant Vehicle registered and Licenced with Blazing Swan for use at the event, does not negate any Laws or Legislation you must adhere to in Western Australia.
Also, if you breach any Mutant Vehicle rules on site, your JRC driving licence will be revoked and you will not be permitted to drive at the event.
Vehicles for people with a disability at Blazing Swan
As we prepare for Blazing Swan 2026, we’re working to make our city as accessible, safe, and welcoming as possible for everyone.
If you or someone in your camp will be using an on-site accessibility vehicle during the event – such as quad bikes or other powered vehicles used to support a person with a disability – please register it with the Department of Mutant Transport (DMT).
Registering your accessibility vehicle helps our teams to:
- Support safe movement around the city
- Plan access routes and traffic flow
- Better support participants who rely on these vehicles to fully take part
Important notes: Normal mobility devices such as electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters do not need to be registered.
NOTE: All vehicles used at night must be radically illuminated.
Vehicles that are not permitted as disability access vehicles:
- Vehicles larger than a standard-sized UTE or SUV
- Vehicles with trailers
- RVs or motorhomes
- Motorcycles/Mopeds
Licences for vehicles used by a person with a disability are issued by DMT. Just like Mutant Vehicles, accessibility vehicles must be pre-registered in order to receive a licence to operate on site.
Please follow this link to register an Accessibility Vehicles.
Once registered, please come and see DMT on arrival to finalise your licence.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact the DMTeam at dmt@blazingswan.com.au
Thank you for helping us create a city where everyone can participate!
Mutant Vehicle Grants
GRANT GUIDELINES AND REVIEW CRITERIA
The Department of Mutant Transport is not responsible for fully funding any art project. Artists are strongly encouraged to find alternate funding for their art and to use grants as a way to supplement their work.
Mutant Vehicle grants are on offer as a contribution to the costs of building and transporting your art piece to Blazing Swan. If you would like to apply for a grant you must complete the grant application form prior to the closing dates.
Grant applications will be considered by a selection panel of artists, safety advisors and community members against the following criteria.
● Viability
● Mutation / safety
● Integrity
● Impact
● Interactivity
● Engagement + Accessibility
● Environmental Responsibility
● You must complete and submit an itemised budget with your grant
application to be considered by the selection panel. If you are successful,
70% of your grant will be paid prior to the event.
● The remaining 30% will be paid post- event and is dependent on delivery
of outcome, safe operation during the event and active engagement.
● You must also submit accompanying receipts as they relate to your
budget within 2 weeks for the remainder of the grant to be paid out.
● A Mutant vehicle grant does not cover; Your time, the cost of the base
vehicle, warehouse hire, generic tool purchase.
● Previous vehicles that have already been funded may still apply for
additional funding to continue upgrading the level of mutation and
transportation assistance
The Department of Mutant Transport is not responsible for fully funding any art project. Artists are strongly encouraged to find alternate funding for their art and to use grants as a way to supplement their work.
Mutant Vehicle grants are on offer as a contribution to the costs of building and transporting your art piece to Blazing Swan. If you would like to apply for a grant you must complete the grant application form prior to the closing dates.
Grant applications will be considered by a selection panel of artists, safety advisors and community members against the following criteria.
● Viability
● Mutation / safety
● Integrity
● Impact
● Interactivity
● Engagement + Accessibility
● Environmental Responsibility
● You must complete and submit an itemised budget with your grant
application to be considered by the selection panel. If you are successful,
70% of your grant will be paid prior to the event.
● The remaining 30% will be paid post- event and is dependent on delivery
of outcome, safe operation during the event and active engagement.
● You must also submit accompanying receipts as they relate to your
budget within 2 weeks for the remainder of the grant to be paid out.
● A Mutant vehicle grant does not cover; Your time, the cost of the base
vehicle, warehouse hire, generic tool purchase.
● Previous vehicles that have already been funded may still apply for
additional funding to continue upgrading the level of mutation and
transportation assistance
Mutant Vehicle Grant Selection Criteria
Viability / 10
● Clear project vision
● Clear and realistic execution plan
● Logistics have been considered
● Realistic budget
● Evidence of planning for problems
Mutation and Safety / 10
● Meets requirements as outlined in the mutant vehicle guide
● Mutant Vehicles are radically, stunningly, 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 in an imaginative and safe manner.
Integrity / 10
● Budget is clear and has sufficient detail to be evaluated
● Costs are realistic and expected. No evidence of inflating costs
● Application and project benefits blazing swan and does not grossly violate
decommodification
Impact / 10
● Project is predicted to be impactful for Blazers and contribute to the overall
experience
● May be considered in relation to cost of project (i.e. impact/ benefit matches
money being spent)
Interactivity / 10
● Project invites or even requires human participation
● Prompts people to interact with each other
Engagement and accessibility / 10
● Mutant Vehicle is actively engaging with the community IE: We will have 4 drivers
do 2 hour shifts everyday, actively seeking to engage with the community by giving
them rides around the paddock
● Events planned around the Mutant Vehicle
● Positive meaning to the community
● Accessible to diverse audiences
Environmental Responsibility / 10
● Use of sustainable materials or practices
● Consideration of environmental footprint
● Has a solid MOOP plan
Mutant Vehicle application process
- Fill in the Mutant Vehicle Application form
- Pre event DMT checks are essential for all new vehicles and available by request for returning vehicles during the month of March before the event. Organise your pre event check by contacting dmt(at)blazingswan.com.au
- Once DMT give your application approval, apply for Jilakin Rock Drivers licenses for all drivers of your Mutant Vehicle using the Mutant Vehicle Licence Test and Application form found below.
- Obtain final approval on site from Monday – Friday. Daytime and night-time checks are available to be scheduled.
The four main areas your vehicle will be assessed for approval on are –
- Mechanical
- Mutation
- Safety
- Illumination