Transport Rules

What is the difference among the expressions “Category of Vehicle”, “Type of Vehicle” and “Class of Vehicle”? What’s the practical utility of such varied classification? These are not clear from rules.
It’s not clear whether all the govt. vehicles are exempted from paying toll tax while plying on roads. If yes, then what about SBSTC, NBSTS and CTC buses which pay taxes at Toll Plaza?
When Fire Fighting Engines, Govt. Ambulances, Postal Vans etc. being owned by the state/central govt. use commercial number plates (yellow background) the Police Vans, on the other hand, sometimes use non-commercial number plates (white/black background) – reason not clear to me!
Whether the vehicle registration done in one state is valid for other states also?

Category/ Type of vehicles: Refers to the physical appearance designed by the Manufacturer in regard to its use. There are two types/categories of vehicles – Transport (with yellow number plate) and Non-transport (with white number plate).
Types of Motor Vehicle At a Glance
In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section 41 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (59 of 1988) and in supersession of the notification of the Government of India in the erstwhile Ministry of Surface Transport number No. S.O. 451 (E), dated the 19th June, 1992, the Central Government hereby specifies the types of motor vehicles as mentioned in columns 1 and 2 of the Table below for the purpose of said sub-section (4).

Note:
(a) “Ambulance means vehicle specially designed, constructed or modified and equipped and intended to be used for emergency transportation of persons who are sick, injured, wounded or otherwise incapacitated.
(b) “Animal ambulance” means a motor vehicle intended to be used for the emergency transportation of sick, injured, wounded or otherwise incapacitated animals.
(c) “Camper van” means a special purpose M1 category vehicle constructed to include living accommodation which contains at least the following
equipment:
— Seats and table
— Sleeping accommodation which may be converted for he seats
— Cooking facilities, and
— Storage facilities.
This equipments shall be rigidly fixed to the living compartment; however the table may be designed to be easily removable.
+ (d) The “Ombibus” has been kept in the category of transport vehicle with a view to bringing it under the purview of fitness regime as it is exhaustively used on road. However, the taxes to be levied on such vehicle would fall within the jurisdiction of State Governments.
* (e) Under rule 2(ca), use of public road by Construction Equipment Vehicle is incidental to the main off-road function. However, when the public road is being used regularly for carrying on commercial activities, then Construction Equipment Vehicles such as dumpers and excavators being used for such activities, shall be deemed as transport vehicles.
CLASS OF MOTOR VEHICLES
Classification is based on the gross weight or sitting capacity of the vehicles. Taken into consideration for assessment of tax of a vehicle.
(1) “heavy passenger motor vehicle” means any public service vehicle or private service vehicle or educational institution bus or omnibus the gross vehicle weight of any of which, or a motor car the unladen weight of which, exceeds 12,000 kilograms;
(2) “light motor vehicle” means a transport vehicle or omnibus the gross vehicle weight of either of which or a motor car or tractor or road – roller the unladen weight of any of which, does not exceed 6,000 kilograms;
(3) “medium goods vehicle” means any goods carriage other than a light motor vehicle or a heavy goods vehicle;
(4) “medium passenger motor vehicle” means any public service vehicle or private service vehicle, or educational institution bus other than a motor cycle, invalid carriage, light motor vehicle or heavy passenger motor vehicle;
Govt. decision on the requirement of toll tax for govt. vehicles plying on National Highways:
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
28-November-2011
Toll Tax Policy on National Highways:
Policy on collection of user fee is based on the provisions of National Highways Act, 1956 (48 of 1956) and National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008 as amended. Currently there are 209 fee plazas in NHs with NHAI. A Representation from AIMTC has been received. As per the present policy in case of 6 laning projects where 4 lane facilities is already available, tolling is started immediately even before completion of highways.
As per the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, the fee rates is to be revised every year with effect from 1st April. Policy decisions on specific toll issues are being taken from time to time depending upon requirements. Presently there is no proposal for a separate regulatory authority.
The dignitaries and vehicles exempted as per rule 11 of the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008 as amended is enclosed as given below:-

“11. Exemption from payment of fee. –
(1) No fee shall be levied and collected from a mechanical Vehicle
(a) transporting and accompanying–
(i) the President of India;
(ii) the Vice-President of India;
(iii) the Prime-Minister of India;
(iv) the Governor of a State;
(v) the Chief Justice of India;
(vi) the Speaker of the House of People;
(vii) the Cabinet Minister of the Union
(viii) the Chief Minister of a State;
(ix) the Judge of the Supreme Court;
(x) the Minister of State of the Union;
(xi) the Lieutenant Governor of a Union territory;
(xii) the Chief of Staff holding the rank of full General or equivalent rank;
(xiii) the Chairman of the Legislative Council of a State;
(xiv) the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a State;
(xv) the Chief Justice of a High Court;
(xvi) the Judge of a High Court;
(xvii) the Member of Parliament;
(xviii) the Army Commander or Vice-Chief of Army Staff and equivalent in other services;
(xix) the Chief Secretary to a State Government within concerned State;
(xx) the Secretary to the Government of India;
(xxi) the Secretary, Council of States;
(xxii) the Secretary, House of People;
(xxiii) the Foreign dignitary on State visit;
(xxiv) The Member of Legislative Assembly of a State and the Member of Legislative Council
of a State within their respective State, if he or she produces his or her identity card issued by the concerned Legislature of the State;
(xxv) the awardee of Param Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Vir Chakra and Shaurya Chakra, if such awardee produces his or her photo identity card duly authenticated by the appropriate or competent authority for such award;
(b) used for official purposes by –
(i) the Ministry of Defence including those which are eligible for exemption in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Toll (Army and Air Force) Act, 1901 and rules made thereunder, as extended to Navy also;
(ii) the Central and State armed forces in uniform including para military forces and police;
(iii) an executive Magistrate;
(iv) the fire-fighting Department or organisation;
(v) the National Highways Authority of India or any other Government organization using such vehicle for inspection, survey, construction or operation of national highways and maintenance thereof;
(c) used as ambulance; and
(d) used as funeral van”.
(This information was given by the Minister of State of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Jitin Prasada in a written reply in Lok Sabha today)
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Ref: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=77773
Ref: http://aptransport.org/html/acts-rules/ … GLANCE.pdf