Otherworld 2023 – Mutant Vehicle Criteria
There are five main points the DMV considers when reviewing your vehicle.
1. Type of Vehicle being modified or brought to Otherworld
The vehicle should be appropriate for the venue and the roads that the venue will use. If the
vehicle is oversized, it will be asked to be parked for the duration of the event.
The vehicle should show some level of mutation or additional lighting.
The following are not considered Mutant Vehicles:
● Vehicles only stripped to the frame and engine.
● Street/stock vehicles with minimal changes or temporary decorations.
● Vehicles that too strongly resemble the original form or where too much of the base
vehicle is unmutated and still visible.
For example: A fur-covered golf cart or street vehicle that keeps its original shape.
● Vehicles that may be unusual but are stock/mass-produced (military, industrial or
foreign-made vehicles).
● Low riders, classic cars, custom cars, monster trucks, dune buggies, rat rods, and hot
rods (there are other venues for these vehicles to be appreciated)
2. Level of Mutation / Visual Presentation
Attempt to mutate or create your vehicle to the point that it is not recognizable as a street
or stock vehicle. A radically mutated vehicle will not resemble or represent a car, truck, golf cart,
or any other readily identifiable street or stock vehicle. Try to hide as much of the base vehicle
as possible.
Beyond just changing, covering, or hiding the base vehicle (if any), the mutation should
aim to be visually compelling, providing a “wow factor” for the other participants of Otherworld.
When a person sees this vehicle, their reaction should be “Wow! Look at that!”
3. Interactivity
Provide an interactive experience for participants of Otherworld. Interactivity is defined
as an opportunity for any festival goer to participate in some activity offered by your vehicle. The
theme and/or size of the vehicle is what’s considered here.
Do you entertain a crowd?
Does your vehicle have room for riders?
Does your vehicle provide a service to the community?
Does it include an interactive element?
Interactive aspects alone are not a replacement for the Mutation Criteria above, but are
considered more like “extra credit”.
4. Safety
The safe operation of a Mutant Vehicle at the event is the Registrant’s responsibility.
Depending on the size and style of your vehicle, some or all of the following may apply:
● The vehicle must be able to maintain a steady speed of five kilometers per hour or less.
● The brakes must be in good working order.
● The vehicle should have sturdy side railings and stair railings. There should be no sharp
or protruding objects.
● Having a fire extinguisher and First Aid kit on board is highly recommended.
● The vehicle should have a safe access area and procedures for loading and unloading
passengers.
● Vehicles with trailers must have Trailer Barriers protecting the space between the vehicle
and the trailer.
● The DMV may decline a license to a vehicle if there is a demonstrable safety concern
such as sharp objects that protrude from a vehicle or some other dangerous aspect to
the vehicle.
5. Lighting
There are two fundamental requirements for Mutant Vehicle night illumination. IF you
wish to use your vehicle after dusk, you must have a radically illuminated vehicle.
SAFETY: First and foremost, people need to be able to see you and you need to be able to see
them. The vehicle must include front head lights and the front, rear, AND sides must be lit. All
vehicle extremities must be lit. Any trailer hitch or dangerous area of the vehicle must be lit.
Anywhere someone would walk, step, or climb on your vehicle should be lit, especially stairs
and ladders.
RADICAL ILLUMINATION: The visual presentation of your vehicle should be at least as
stimulating at night as it is during the day, if not even more so.
This can be accomplished in two ways:
● You are showcasing a well-crafted mutant vehicle that is already worthy of a day license.
Flame effects alone are not sufficient to qualify for night licensing.
● The lighting itself is the “art”.
In either case, the vehicle should be easily seen from all sides from some distance away.
