Motorsport is controlled worldwide by two governing bodies: the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) responsible for all forms of automobile sport, and the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), responsible for all categories of motorcycling. The Commission Internationale de Karting (CIK), forms part of the FIA.

Both the FIA and FIM recognise only one National Federation in each country, with such Federation in turn being responsible for the control and administration of the sport in its own country. In Zambia, the FIA and FIM have transferred their sporting powers to the Motor Sport  Zambia Association (ZMSA) and all motor sporting events in the country are held in accordance with FIA and FIM Sporting Codes. Zambia is one of only a few countries responsible for the control of both car and motorcycle sporting events, with most other countries having separate governing bodies for the two disciplines.