By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 30: Just days after the Cabinet approval, the Meghalaya government on Friday issued a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) governing the use of tinted glass, sirens, beacons, name plates and National Flag posts on official vehicles, bringing the state’s rules in line with Supreme Court directions and central motor vehicle laws.
According to the Office Memorandum, the SOP has been framed in pursuance of Supreme Court rulings in the Avishek Goenka vs Union of India case and the Abhay Singh vs Union of India case, alongside the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.
The government has specified that tinted glass or black film will be permitted only on official vehicles assigned to ‘Z-Plus’ and ‘Z’ category protectees. The protectees eligible for this facility must be recommended by a committee set up under a notification issued on May 21, 2012. No other government vehicle will be allowed to use tinted glass or black films.
The SOP states that the use of sirens is restricted to police vehicles, emergency services, and pilot and escort vehicles of VVIPs and VIPs, along with any other vehicles that may be notified by the government. The guideline cites Rule 119(3) of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, which also limits noise levels associated with sirens.
The Office Memorandum reiterates that no vehicle will be allowed to use a beacon or red light, with or without flashers, in line with a Transport Department notification issued on November 4, 2025.
On the use of name plates, the SOP states that the Transport Department will issue periodic notifications listing the officials entitled to use name plates, along with specifications on size, lettering and colour.
As per paragraph 3.44 of the Flag Code of India, 2002, the SOP lists dignitaries permitted to hoist the National Flag on their official vehicles, including the President, Vice-President, Governors, Lieutenant Governors, Prime Minister, Union ministers, Chief Ministers, Speakers of legislatures, and judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, among others.
The SOP will apply to all government vehicles, excluding emergency vehicles classified under the Motor Vehicles Act and comes into force with immediate effect.
