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

Section 60 of Motor Vehicles Act: Motor Vehicle Regulation & Claims Procedure

Official Bare Act Text

Override / Mandate Mens Rea (Intent) Actus Reus (Conduct) Punishment Limitation Monetary

(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.

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 60

Section 60 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 creates a specialized statutory framework for the registration of motor vehicles owned by the Central Government and used for defence, naval, military, or air force purposes, exempting them from general RTO registration while requiring designated military registration authorities.

Exemption of Armed Forces Vehicles: Vehicles owned by the Central Government and utilized exclusively for naval, military, or air force operations are exempt from the standard civilian registration machinery and fees under Chapter IV.
Designated Armed Forces Registration Authorities: The Central Government appoints specialized registration authorities within the Armed Forces to assign unique military registration marks (upward arrow/broad arrow plates) and maintain specialized military vehicle registers.
Civilian Transfer Conversion Mandate: Under Section 60(2), if an armed forces vehicle is disposed of, sold in military auction, or transferred to civilian ownership, it ceases to enjoy Section 60 exemption and must undergo regular civilian registration under Section 39 and 41 within thirty days.

Key Landmark Precedents:

Superintendent and Remembrancer of Legal Affairs, West Bengal v. Corporation of Calcutta AIR 1967 SC 997: A 9-Judge Constitution Bench ruled that the State and Central Governments are bound by statutory enactments unless expressly or by necessary implication exempted; Section 60 constitutes such an express statutory exemption carve-out for armed forces vehicles.
Union of India v. Jubbi AIR 1968 SC 360: The Supreme Court held that special statutory regimes established for defence properties must be strictly construed according to their specific legislative purpose without undermining general public safety laws.

Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

In MACT accident claims involving military vehicles bearing defence registration marks, do not name the local civilian RTO as a party; implead the Union of India through the Ministry of Defence along with the officer commanding the relevant military unit. Secure the military court of inquiry report and the designated registration certificate maintained under Section 60 through witness summons to establish driver agency.

Section 60: Registration of vehicles belonging to the Central Government

Section 60 of Motor Vehicles Act: Motor Vehicle Regulation & Claims Procedure

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 60