Organization of a motor vehicle race on the public road
Verified 23 February 2023 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
You run an association and you organize a motor vehicle sporting event (car, motorcycle, karting...) on the public road. You want to know, in particular, whether you are subject to a declaration or prior authorization, whether you are responsible for setting up a security service to ensure the safety of spectators and traffic, and whether you have to subscribe to an insurance contract? We'll give you the information you need.
A motor vehicle event taking place on public roads is subject to declaration if it meets one of the following 2 conditions:
- The sporting event is timed
- The sporting event is untimed and includes at least 50 vehicles
Timed competition
The application for authorization shall be submitted at least 3 months before the event date.
The application for authorization must be submitted to the following administrative authority(ies):
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
The event takes place in France
The event takes place in one department
The request is made to the prefect of the department of the place of departure.
The event takes place in 2 to 19 departments
The request is made to the prefect of each department visited.
The event takes place in 20 or more departments
The request is made to the prefect of each department visited and Ministry of the Interior.
The protest is from the foreigner
The event takes place in a single department in France
The request is made to the prefect of the department of entry to France.
The event takes place in 2 to 19 departments
The request is made to the prefect of the department of entry to France and to the prefect of each department crossed.
The event takes place in 20 or more departments
The request is made to the prefect of the department of entry in France and from the prefect of each department crossed + to the ministry of the interior.
The method of reporting varies depending on your department.
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General case
The request is made using the following form:
Application for authorization of a timed motorized sports event on the public highway
Alpes de Haute-Provence (04)
The process is carried out online.
Declaration and application for authorization of sporting events
It can also be carried out by mail by means of a form.
Isère (38)
The process is carried out online.
Declaration and application for authorization of sporting events
It can also be carried out by mail by means of a form.
Loire (42)
The process is carried out online.
Declaration and application for authorization of sporting events
It can also be carried out by mail by means of a form.
Martinique (972)
The process is carried out online.
Declaration and application for authorization of sporting events
It can also be carried out by mail by means of a form.
Yvelines (78)
The process is carried out online.
Declaration and application for authorization of sporting events
It can also be carried out by mail by means of a form.
On receipt of the request, the prefect shall refer the matter for an opinion to the local authorities which have the power of traffic police (mayor or president of the county council).
- The authorization is issued by order of the prefect of the department of the place of departure.
- For events coming from the foreigner, the authorization is issued by the prefect of the department of entry into France.
- Where the route covers several departments, the authorization is issued after the agreement of the prefects of the departments crossed.
- When the event has several starting points located in different departments, the authorization is issued by the prefect of the department of the organizer's headquarters.
- When the event crosses 20 or more departments, the authorization is issued by the Ministry of the Interior on the advice of the prefect of each department crossed.
In all cases, the authorization decision shall be published and notified to the organizer.
In order for an authorized event to start, the organizer must provide a written statement that all requirements (i.e. applications) mentioned in the authorization are met.
The organizer of the sporting event must provide proof that he has signed a contract with an insurer (insurance policy) guaranteeing its civil liability, the persons involved in the organization and the participants.
If a security service is set up to ensure the safety of spectators and traffic during the event and its preparation, the organizer bear the financial burden.
The organizer must also rehabilitate the public roads and their outbuildings following the demonstration.
More than 50 vehicles competing
The statement must be made in a variable delay to the following administrative authority(ies):
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The event takes place in one department
Competent authority: Prefect of the department
Time frame: at least 2 months before the event date
The event takes place in 2 to 19 departments
Competent authorities: Prefect of each department crossed
Time frame: at least 2 months before the event date
The event takes place in 20 or more departments
Competent authorities: Prefect of each department crossed + Ministry of the Interior
Deadline: at least 3 months before the event date
The method of reporting varies depending on your department.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
General case
The request is made using the following form:
Declaration of an untimed motorized sporting event on the public highway
Alpes de Haute-Provence (04)
The process is carried out online.
Declaration and application for authorization of sporting events
It can also be carried out by mail by means of a form.
Isère (38)
The process is carried out online.
Declaration and application for authorization of sporting events
It can also be carried out by mail by means of a form.
Loire (42)
The process is carried out online.
Declaration and application for authorization of sporting events
It can also be carried out by mail by means of a form.
Martinique (972)
The process is carried out online.
Declaration and application for authorization of sporting events
It can also be carried out by mail by means of a form.
Yvelines (78)
The process is carried out online.
Declaration and application for authorization of sporting events
It can also be carried out by mail by means of a form.
The organizer of the sporting event must provide proof that he has signed a contract with an insurer (insurance policy) guaranteeing its civil liability, the persons involved in the organization and the participants.
If a security service is set up to ensure the safety of spectators and traffic during the event and its preparation, the organizer bear the financial burden.
The organizer must also rehabilitate the public roads and their outbuildings following the demonstration.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
For information on technical and safety rules for sporting events
Regional Academic Delegation - Youth, Engagement and Sports
Motorized sports events: general provisions
Motorized sports events: reporting obligation
Motorized sports events: issue of authorization
Motorized sports events: provisions common to events subject to declaration or authorization
Service-Public.fr
Service-Public.fr
Service-Public.fr
Paris Police Department