What is a PUC Certificate? – Explained in Detail

With the number of vehicles plying on the road, there is a need to monitor the emissions of each vehicle through a centralized system. For this requirement, the Pollution Under Control certificate or PUC certificate has been mandated by the Government of India under the Central Motor Vehicles Rule, 1989 to ensure emission norms are followed by every vehicle. 

The PUC certificate is a document that states that the emissions from your vehicle are compliant with the environmental standards established by the government. In simpler terms – the PUC certificate is a valid document that proves that the emission level of the vehicle is well within the government-permitted level. 

A Pollution Under Control certificate can be issued only by an authorised testing center, and the certificate should be issued only after an exhaustive review of the gas emission of the vehicle. The test results must be mentioned in the vehicle pollution certificate. 

Why is a PUC Certificate required?

A PUC certificate is mandatory as it validates the emissions from a motor vehicle are below the pollution control norms of the Government of India. Every type of vehicle will emit smoke, and regular checks help to ensure that the overall pollution level remains under control. This is important as the carbon emitted from motor vehicles increases air pollution. 

The PUC certificate thus validates whether the motor vehicle complies with the pollution norms and poses no harm to the environment. The motor vehicle must undergo a pollution test to check the emission levels to acquire a PUC certificate from an authorised center. According to Motor Vehicle Act 1988, a vehicle owner must possess documents such as the car insurance policy, registration certificate, driving license, and PUC certificate. 

Thus, a PUC certificate is a valid document that legally authorizes a motor vehicle to ply on the roads. Not having a valid PUC certificate will make the vehicle owner liable to pay a fine. The pollution certificate is valid for a year in the case of a new car, but the vehicle must run a PUC test at regular intervals afterward.

The validity of the PUC certificate is only six months for the rest of India, whereas in Delhi, it’s for three months. Even with a valid PUC certificate, if the emissions are found to be higher than the prescribed limits, the pollution certificate can get cancelled, and a new one must be procured within seven days.

Is PUC Certificate mandatory for cars?

A PUC certificate is one of the most important documents one carries while driving a car on the road. One should have their car’s PUC certificate even if they have got their vehicle tested for pollution. If and when a traffic police officer asks for the PUC certificate, an inability to produce it on the spot results in penalties for the vehicle owner.

One must also check that the pollution certificate is renewed regularly to avoid a hefty fine. If the vehicle owner does not carry a valid PUC certificate, the owner will be responsible for prosecution under section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act. The vehicle owner or driver can get fined Rs 1000 for the first offence and Rs 2000 for a subsequent offence.

What does a PUC Certificate include?

A Pollution Under Control certificate contains the following information:

• PUC certificate serial number used to monitor the date of the last conducted test
• The vehicle’s License Plate Number
• The Registration Number of the Car
• Date of the pollution test and expiry date of the test
• The emission test readings

What is the PUC Test Procedure?

The following steps will guide you through the process of getting a Pollution Under Control certificate:

• Step 1: Take the vehicle to the pollution testing center or a local RTO or a fuel station with a testing center
• Step 2: The authorised testing person will begin the test by checking the emission level from the ejection pipe of the car/ bike. One has to physically visit a testing center for the PUC certificate and cannot get it online for the manual task involved. 
• Step 3:  Next, switch on the ignition of the vehicle and accelerate the engine so that the inserted device analyses the carbon emissions
• Step 4: Once the testing gets accurately done, the device will display readings on the computer screen
• Step 5: Once the operator takes a picture of the vehicle’s registration number plate, the Pollution Under Control certificate is generated
• Step 6: Once the payment is done, one can collect the PUC or pollution certificate
• Step 7: For diesel vehicles, the accelerator is pressed fully, and this process is repeated five times. The average of all the readings constitutes the final reading.
• Step 8: For petrol vehicles, the car is kept idle without pressing the accelerator. Only a single reading is noted as the final reading.

What is the Cost and Validity of a PUC Certificate?

Validity of a PUC certificate: It is valid only for a limited period and the period differs for new and old vehicles.

• The validity period of a PUC certificate for a new car and a new bike is 1 year and post that, one must renew the pollution certificate every 6 months with a new certificate being issued every time from either a petrol pump that has an emission testing center or a local RTO or any standalone authorised pollution control centers.
• The validity of the renewed certificate can be cancelled before 6 months if it fails to meet the PUC test standard.
• If higher carbon emission is noted, then the registration number of the vehicle will be noted and informed to the RTO or Deputy RTO or Assistant RTO by the authorised testing center within 24 hours. 

Cost of a PUC certificate: 

• The cost of getting a PUC test done and the certificate is Rs 60 to Rs 100, depending on the vehicle that gets tested and the fuel type. The PUC certificate price may vary from one state to another. 

How to download your PUC Certificate?

Download the PUC certificate by following the simple steps mentioned below:

• Step 1: Visit the Vahan Parivahan Portal
• Step 2: Click on the option ‘PUC Certificate’ from the menu bar
• Step 3: Enter the following details: ‘Registration Number’, ‘Chassis Number’, and the ‘Security Code’’
• Step 4: Click on the ‘PUC Details’ button
• Step 5: You will be redirected to a new page where the PUC certificate details will be displayed
• Step 6: You can also download the PUC certificate

What are the Penalties for not obtaining a PUC Certificate?

As per the Motor Vehicles Act of India, every vehicle owner must get a PUC certificate and get it renewed before the expiry date. Not obeying the rules and regulations of the pollution control board can attract penalties under section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act – Rs 1000 for the first offence and subsequent offences Rs 2000, but the fine amount can vary from one state to another.

What are the advantages of having a PUC Certificate?

The numerous advantages of having a PUC Certificate are:

Mandatory by law: Having a valid PUC certificate for your vehicle saves you from penalties as it is mandatory by law and traffic rules. One can be prosecuted under section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act if the vehicle owner does not carry a valid PUC certificate while driving or riding on roads. 

Keeps Pollution Under Control: Keeping the carbon emission in check also helps to keep overall pollution levels in check. This makes the vehicle owner a law-abiding citizen who can help to reduce the nation’s carbon footprint. 

Vehicle’s Health Update: A PUC certificate helps you to understand whether your vehicle is environmentally friendly and track the overall condition of the motor vehicle during renewal.

Mandatory for insurance: A PUC certificate helps to get vehicle insurance renewed as the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) has made it compulsory.

What is a PUC Certificate: Summary

A PUC certificate is as important as a registration certificate, driving licence, and insurance policy. The importance of having a PUC certificate cannot be overstated. The rising carbon emission in India poses a serious threat to the environment and to curb this situation, one must control the emission limits for all vehicles. 

According to the Motor Vehicles Act 1989, all vehicles must follow the norms of the pollution control board by getting a PUC certificate. A PUC certificate also helps the vehicle owner purchase an insurance policy, and the certificate is also required at the time of insurance renewal. Having a PUC certificate helps to keep a check on the general health condition of the vehicle and be more aware of the environmental risks caused by the increasing pollution level.

FAQs about PUC Certificate

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