Motor Vehicles Act: Section 60 – Registration of vehicles belonging to the Central Government

(1) Such authority as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify, may register any motor vehicle which is the property or for the time being under the exclusive control of the Central Government and is used for Government purposes relating to the defence of the country and unconnected with any commercial enterprise and any vehicle so registered shall not, so long as it remains the property or under the exclusive control of the Central Government, require to be registered otherwise under this Act.

(2) The authority registering a vehicle under sub-section (1) shall assign a registration mark in accordance with the provisions contained in the rules made in this behalf by the Central Government and shall issue a certificate in respect of that vehicle to the effect that such vehicle complies for the time being with all the requirements of this Act and the rules made thereunder and that the vehicle has been registered under this section.

(3) A vehicle registered under this section shall carry the certificate issued under sub-section (2).

(4) If a vehicle registered under this section ceases to be the property or under the exclusive control of the Central Government, the provisions of sections 39 and 40 shall thereupon apply.

(5) The authority registering a vehicle under sub-section (1) shall furnish to any State Government all such information regarding the general nature, overall dimensions, and axle weights of the vehicle as the State Government may at any time require.

Simplified Explanation

This section provides special provisions for the registration of motor vehicles that belong to the Central Government. It outlines how government-owned vehicles are treated under the law and the flexibility given to the government in terms of the registration process.

Main Points of Section 60:

1. Exemption from General Registration Process:
   • Vehicles owned by the Central Government can be exempted from the standard registration requirements outlined in the Motor Vehicles Act.
   • The Central Government has the authority to set special procedures for registering its vehicles, which may differ from the regular process applicable to privately-owned or commercially-used vehicles.
2. Special Marks or Numbers:
   • Instead of following the normal system of registration numbers, government vehicles may be assigned special identification marks or numbers. These marks are prescribed by the Central Government and are different from the regular registration plates used by private or commercial vehicles.
   • These special numbers or marks help in identifying government-owned vehicles but do not follow the usual format required for private vehicles.
3. Categories of Exempt Vehicles:
   • This section applies to all vehicles owned by the Central Government, which could include:
     • Vehicles used by various government departments.
     • Vehicles operated by defense forces.
     • Vehicles used for official government duties, such as police cars, fire trucks, or emergency vehicles.
4. Registration Authority for Government Vehicles:
   • The Central Government can authorize specific authorities or bodies to handle the registration of its vehicles. This means that the vehicles may not need to be registered with the usual Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) that handle private and commercial vehicle registrations.
   • The government may set up designated agencies to manage the registration and record-keeping of its fleet of vehicles.
5. Regulatory Flexibility:
   • The Central Government has the flexibility to make rules or regulations regarding the registration of its vehicles, including:
     • The duration for which the registration is valid.
     • The process for renewing or modifying the registration.
     • The format and appearance of the registration plates or special marks used on government vehicles.
6. No Exemption from Roadworthiness:
   • Although the government vehicles may have special provisions for registration, they are not exempt from requirements related to fitness or roadworthiness. Government vehicles must still meet the standards for safety, maintenance, and emission control applicable to all vehicles on the road.

Why is Section 60 Important?

• It simplifies the registration process for government-owned vehicles, allowing the Central Government to manage its fleet efficiently.
• The section allows for the use of special registration marks that help distinguish government vehicles from private ones, often for purposes of identification and security.
• It ensures flexibility in the registration process for government vehicles, without compromising on vehicle safety and compliance with laws.
• The government has control over the registration system for its vehicles, which may be crucial in terms of security and confidentiality, particularly for sensitive departments like defense or intelligence agencies.

Practical Example:

Imagine that the Indian Army purchases a fleet of vehicles for official use. These vehicles do not need to follow the regular vehicle registration process at the RTO. Instead, they are assigned special registration numbers or marks authorized by the Central Government, which could include defense-specific codes or markings.

These vehicles are used for official duties, but they are still subject to regular fitness inspections to ensure they are safe for road use. The Central Government manages the registration process through its own designated body, ensuring that the registration system aligns with the security needs of the armed forces.

Conclusion:

Section 60 of the Motor Vehicles Act provides special provisions for the registration of Central Government vehicles, offering flexibility in registration procedures while maintaining safety and operational standards. It allows the government to manage its vehicle fleet efficiently while ensuring that government vehicles are easily identifiable and properly maintained.