The FIA's supreme body is its General Assembly. This brings together the Presidents / Delegates of the Clubs and National Sporting Authorities which are members of the FIA.

The annual General Assembly approves and votes on the reports and proposals from the FIA World Councils, the budget and accounts, the international sporting calendar, the Statutes, and proposals for membership changes.

Every four years the General Assembly elects the President and Deputy Presidents of the FIA, the President and Members of the Senate, and the Secretary General of the International Court of Appeal. It also elects the Vice Presidents and Members of the World Councils for Sport and for Automobile, Mobility and Tourism.

The World Motor Sport Council governs all international motor sport. The World Council for Automobile, Mobility and Tourism governs all non-sporting activities.

Each World Council is elected by the General Assembly, chaired by the FIA President, and assisted by specialised commissions. These specialised commissions act in much the same way as ministries to a national government.

The Senate of the FIA takes decisions relating to central management of the FIA, as well as financial issues.  All structures are supported by the FIA Secretariat.

The International Court of Appeal, in concordance with the governance duties of the FIA, acts independently from the central FIA body.