Shillong, November 28 : The Government of Meghalaya, through the Home (Police) Department, has issued a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) regulating the use of beacons, sirens, tinted glasses, nameplates, and flag rods on official vehicles of the state government. The directive, contained in Office Memorandum No. HPL.187/2025/115, was released on November 28, 2025, following the rulings of the Supreme Court of India and provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.
Tinted Glasses/ Black Films : According to the SOP, only official vehicles of ‘Z-Plus’ and ‘Z’ category protectees, as recommended by the security committee constituted by the government, will be permitted to use tinted glasses or black films for security reasons. No other government or private vehicles will be allowed to use them.
Siren : The circular further stipulates that sirens can only be used by vehicles of the Police, Emergency Services, Pilot and Escort vehicles of VVIPs/VIPs, and any other vehicles officially notified by the government. The use of sirens by any other vehicles is strictly prohibited under Rule 119(3) of the Central Motor Vehicles Rule, 1989.
Beacon/Red Light with / without flashers : The SOP reinforces the ban on the use of beacons or red lights, with or without flashers, on any vehicle. This follows the Transport Department Notification No. TPT.48/2009/Pt.230, dated November 4, 2025, which discontinued the use of such visual signals across the state.
Name plates on vehicle : The State Transport Department will issue periodic notifications specifying who may use nameplates on official vehicles, including their design, colour, and letter size.
Flag rod (post) for the National flag : Regarding the National Flag, the SOP refers to Paragraph 3.44 of the Flag Code of India (2002), under which only certain high dignitaries—including the President, Vice President, Governors and Lieutenant Governors, Head of Mission/Posts, Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Minister of State, Deputy of the Union, Chief Minister and Cabinet Minister of a State or Union Territory, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Chairman of Legislatives Councils in State, Speakers of Legislative Council in States, Speakers of the Legislative Assemblies in State and Union Territories, Deputy Chairman of Legislative Councils in States, Deputy Speakers of Legislative Assemblies in States and Union Territories, Chief Justice of India, Judges of Supreme Court, Chief Justice of High Courts, Judges of High Courts.
The directive clarifies that the SOP applies to official vehicles of the Government of Meghalaya and excludes emergency vehicles as defined in the Motor Vehicles Act. The new order comes into immediate effect, and departments are expected to ensure compliance to maintain uniformity and discipline in the use of official vehicles across the state
The directive clarifies that the SOP applies to official vehicles of the Government of Meghalaya and excludes emergency vehicles as defined in the Motor Vehicles Act. The new order comes into immediate effect, and departments are expected to ensure compliance to maintain uniformity and discipline in the use of official vehicles across the state.
