Participation rules

1 · Who may apply

• Teams of two to five people, with at least one licensed driver for the vehicle category.
• Teams from the Americas apply for a stage in their own or a neighbouring country.
• Teams from outside the Americas apply through the international track and must solve visas, temporary import and their vehicle solution themselves.
• All participants must be adults. Minors may attend public community events with a responsible adult, never a convoy stage.

2 · Screening

• Documents first: licence, registration, insurance valid for the stage, and where relevant carnet and international driving permit.
• Experience assessed against the terrain of the specific chapter, not in general.
• Technical inspection of the vehicle before the stage begins; failure means the stage is refused.
• A mandatory briefing covering route, spacing, radio protocol, stops, filming and emergency procedure.
• Detailed medical readiness information is requested only after an application progresses, through a private channel.

3 · Vehicle standards

• Mechanically sound, road-legal and registered, with recent service history available.
• Tires appropriate to the terrain, with correct load rating and legal tread.
• Rated recovery points and basic recovery equipment carried.
• Working lights, brakes, seatbelts and a serviceable spare wheel.
• Fire extinguisher, first-aid kit and warning triangle as required by local law.
• Self-sufficiency for sleeping, water and food across the stage.

4 · Convoy discipline

• The expedition operations director has final authority on the road at all times.
• Maintain assigned position and spacing; no overtaking inside the convoy without instruction.
• Radio protocol is followed; one instruction, one channel, no debate on air.
• No alcohol or drugs before or during a driving day. Zero tolerance.
• Speed limits and local traffic law are obeyed, without exception, including for filming.
• Stops, fuel points and overnight locations are decided by the expedition, not by guest vehicles.

5 · Conduct and community

• Respect for local people, private land, protected areas, wildlife and cultural sites.
• No drone flying without the permits and permissions for that location.
• Filming of individuals only with their agreement; safeguarding rules apply around children.
• Harassment, discrimination or intimidation ends participation immediately.
• Leave no trace: waste is carried out, tracks are not cut, and water sources are not contaminated.

6 · Costs and risk

• Participation is self-funded: fuel, food, accommodation, repairs, permits and insurance are yours.
• Participation is at your own risk. The expedition provides coordination, briefing and the stage plan, not cover for your losses.
• You must hold insurance valid for the stage, including cross-border cover where the stage crosses a border.
• Guest vehicles do not cross the Darién Gap with the core expedition.

7 · Media and rights

• Stages are filmed. By joining, you agree to appear in expedition content and grant permission for that footage to be used in the project's programming.
• You may publish your own material from your own vehicle, crediting the expedition, and without implying a sponsorship that does not exist.
• Commercial branding on a guest vehicle needs written agreement in advance, so it does not conflict with partner categories.

8 · Suspension and cancellation

• A stage may be reduced, moved or cancelled for safety, security, permit, weather or vehicle reasons.
• Participation may be ended at any moment for a rule breach, a safety concern or a false statement in an application.
• Selection decisions are final, and capacity is limited — commonly two guest vehicles at a time.

9 · How to apply

Applications are made through the convoy pages: the Americas track for teams based on the continent, the international track for everyone else. Every applicant receives an answer, including those we cannot take.