Events on the Public Highway

Any motoring event that uses the public highway in Scotland is subject to the requirements of The Motor Vehicles (Competitions and Trials) (Scotland) Regulations 1976. You may require to apply for permission to use your planned route before the event can take place.

Examples of events covered by the Regulations include permitted motorsport events, rallies of any kind, car runs, road trips, tours and treasure hunts.

RSAC Motorsport Limited acts as the authorising agent on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Authorised events

If your proposed event meets one of the following summary criteria, you might not require authorisation.

  1. There are no more than 12 competing vehicles and the organisers are not organising a similar event to take place in the same area in the preceding 8 days.
  2. There is no merit attached to completing the event with the lowest possible mileage, there are no performance tests on the public highway, there is no route, competitors are not timed or required to visit the same places. It is permissible however for competitors to be required to finish at the same place by a specified time.
  3. A competitor’s performance on the event is judged only on the basis of good road behaviour and compliance with the Highway Code.
  4. All competitors are members of the armed forces of the Crown and the event is designed solely for the purpose of their service training.

You can find the formal criteria here.

 

All other events using the public highway

Every other event must apply for authorisation between 2 and 6 months before the event is due to start and pay the statutory fee.

The Route Application form as well as guidance notes for completion can be downloaded below:

 

Authorisation fees

First 50 miles or part thereof Each subsequent 50 miles or part thereof
13 to 180 competing vehicles £67 £35
Cancellation fee £10

 

Treasure Hunts

 Further advice for Treasure Hunt organisers can be downloaded below:

 

Events using the public highway in England and Wales

Similar legislation and authorisation procedures apply in England and Wales where the authorising agent is Motorsport UK on behalf of the Department of Transport. More information can be found at Route Authorisation – Motorsport UK – The beating heart of UK motorsport .

If your event is to use the public highway in Scotland and in England and Wales and requires authorisation, you must apply to each authorising agent separately and pay the applicable fees.

 

Contact details

If you are unsure whether your event may require authorisation or not, please email office@rsacmotorsport.com with an outline of your plans.