Meghalaya restricts the use of official name boards on vehicles

Shillong, June 7: The Meghalaya government has tightened rules governing the display of official name boards on vehicles, restricting their use to specified dignitaries, elected representatives, judges and senior government officials while prohibiting unauthorised displays without government approval.

The new Display of Name Boards on Motor Vehicles Regulations, 2026, notified by the Transport Department, lays down who is entitled to display official designation boards on vehicles and prescribes the manner in which such boards must be used. The regulations came into effect from the date of their notification on June 1.

Under the notification, no vehicle may display boards bearing the name of a government department or the designation of a dignitary or official without permission from the government through the Transport Department.

The regulations permit designated boards for constitutional authorities and public functionaries including the Governor, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Speaker and Deputy Speaker, Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, Chief Executive Members of Autonomous District Councils, judges of the High Court and subordinate courts, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police and other senior officials.

In a significant provision aimed at preventing misuse, the notification mandates that the name boards must be removed or suitably covered whenever the concerned dignitary or official is not travelling in the vehicle.

The rules also extend to chairpersons and members of constitutional and statutory bodies, as well as Vice-Chancellors, Pro Vice-Chancellors and Registrars of Central and State government universities.

Officials said the regulations seek to bring uniformity to the display of official designations on vehicles and prevent unauthorised use of government titles. The notification specifies the size, colour and placement of the boards for different categories of office-bearers. Most designated boards are required to have a red background with white lettering, while boards used by university authorities will carry a light blue background.

Importantly, the government clarified that the notification does not confer any entitlement to use tinted glass, black films, sirens, beacons or red lights with or without flashers. Such privileges, if any, will continue to be governed by separate rules and notifications issued by the Home Department.

The regulations further provide that any future amendment or modification will be examined by a committee headed by the Chief Secretary. Existing rules, regulations and notifications relating to the display of name boards on motor vehicles stand superseded by the new regulations.

The move comes amid continuing efforts by governments across the country to regulate the use of official insignia and prevent the unauthorised projection of status or authority through vehicle markings and designation boards.

Also Read: Garo students shortlisted for UPSC coaching programme in Tura

Also Watch

Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.

Study decodes the science behind Zubeen Garg’s iconic humming