The rise in pollution levels across the globe has prompted countries to fix emission levels for motor vehicles. All cars and bikes registered in India must go through emission tests to adhere to the emission norms laid down by the authorities. It is therefore imperative that you get the Pollution Certificate or PUC Certificate for your vehicle. Failure to produce the emission test certificate could result in a fine by the concerned authorities. As a responsible citizen of the country, you need to get the pollution certificate for your vehicle. But, before you go ahead and get a pollution certificate for a bike or car, you need to know more about the environment-conscious certificate.
Contents
- What is a PUC Certificate or Pollution Under Control Certificate?
- Contents of the PUC Certificate:
- Why is a PUC Certificate Required?
- Benefits of Obtaining PUC Certificate for Your Vehicle:
- How To Get a PUC Certificate?
- Step-by-Step Guide to Get a PUC Certificate:
- How To Download (PUC) Pollution Under Control Certificate Online?
- How To Check the PUC Certificate Active Status?
- How To Find RTO Approved PUC Centres?
- What is The Emission (PUC) Test Procedure?
- What is the Validity of PUC Certificate?
- Cost To Obtain PUC Certificate:
- Should I Carry the PUC Certificate With Me?
- Penalties for Not Obtaining a PUC Certificate:
- Frequently Asked Questions About PUC Certificate:
What is a PUC Certificate or Pollution Under Control Certificate?
The full form of PUC Certificate is Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC). The certificate acts as an approval document which contains the emission levels of your vehicle, and if they are within the stipulated pollution norms. This is done through authorized emission testing centres which are usually situated in petrol pumps across India.
The PUCC is issued by the government after testing the emission levels of your car or bike and certifying your vehicle that emission levels are within the required norms. The Ministry of Transport has mandated through the Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1989 that a PUC Certificate must be carried by the driver or rider of the vehicle at all times.
Pollution Under Control (PUC) Norms:
Under Rule 115(2) of the Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1989, the pollution standards or emission levels are fixed for motor vehicles in India. The government revises the emission levels of vehicles on a regular basis to keep the pollution levels in the country under control. The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) notifies the limits, regulations, measurement of exhaust emissions and calculation of fuel consumption.
What is a Vehicle Pollution Certificate?
A vehicle pollution certificate for motor vehicles, also known as PUC Certificate or Pollution Under Control Certificate, acts as a validation that your vehicle emits permissible emission levels as mandated by the Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1989. The pollution certificate includes details such as your vehicle registration number, the serial number of the PUCC, date of the emission test, the test reading and validity date of the emission test. PUCC is one of the mandatory documents that need to be carried at all times by the driver.
PUC Certificate for Cars (Petrol):
Apart from your Driving Licence, you need to carry the PUC Certificate, Registration Certificate along with the mandatory car insurance policy while driving. Below are the government approved permissible levels of pollution that can be emitted from petrol cars:
| Vehicle Type | Carbon Mono-Oxide | HydroCarbon (PPM) |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheelers manufactured as per BSII (Bharat Stage 2) norms | 3% | 1500 |
| Four-Wheelers manufactured as per BS III (Bharat Stage 3) norms | 0.5% | 750 |
PUC Certificate for Bikes and Three-Wheelers:
PUC Certificate for your bike is mandatory as per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Below are the levels of pollution that a two-wheeler can emit:
| Vehicle Type | Carbon Mono-Oxide | HydroCarbon (PPM) |
|---|---|---|
| Two- and Three-Wheelers manufactured on or before 31 March 2000 (Two/Four-stroke) | 4.5% | 9000 |
| Two- and Three-Wheelers manufactured after 31 March 2000 (Two-stroke) | 3.5% | 6000 |
| Two- and Three-Wheelers manufactured after 31 March 2000 (Four-stroke) | 3.5% | 4500 |
PUC Certificate for Petrol/CNG/LPG (BS4) Vehicles:
Below are the permissible pollution levels of private cars and commercial vehicles with different fuel types such as CNG, LPG along with petrol (Pre and Post BS-IV):
| Vehicle Type | Carbon Mono-Oxide | HydroCarbon (PPM) |
|---|---|---|
| CNG/LPG Four-Wheelers manufactured as per BS-IV (Bharat Stage 4) norms | 0.3% | 200 |
| Petrol Four-Wheelers manufactured as BS-IV (Bharat Stage 4) norms | 0.3% | 200 |
PUC Certificate for Diesel Vehicles:
Diesel vehicles are tested differently and below are the approved pollution levels for PUC Certification:
| Type of Test | Maximum Smoke Density | |
|---|---|---|
| Light Absorption Coefficient (1/mètre) | Hartridge Units | |
| Free acceleration test for the naturally aspirated engine and turbocharged engine for vehicles manufactured as per pre-BS IV norms. | 2.45 | 65 |
| Free acceleration test for the naturally aspirated engine and turbocharged engine for vehicles manufactured as per BS-IV norms. | 1.62 | 50 |
Also, read: Difference Between BS4 and BS6 Engines
Contents of the PUC Certificate:
The PUC Certificate for a vehicle contains details such as :
- Registration number of the vehicle.
- The serial number of the PUCC.
- The date on which the emission test was done.
- PUC test validity date.
- Emission test reading of the vehicle.
Why is a PUC Certificate Required?
A PUC certificate for your car or bike is required because of several important reasons. Apart from adhering to traffic rules, below are a few important points to consider why is a emission certificate required:
Mandatory As Per Law
As per the Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1989, it is mandatory to get a Pollution Certificate for your vehicle and it’s also important to renew it within the expiry date. Failure to do so will attract penalties by the traffic police as well as the transport authorities such as Regional Transport Authorities (RTOs). This document, along with the insurance and the registration certificate of the vehicle, driver’s DL must be carried compulsorily while driving on public roads. The PUCC is an approval that your vehicle’s emission levels are within the prescribed norms set by the government.
Curb Pollution
Emissions from motor vehicles which are above permissible levels can cause severe damages to the environment and to people’s health. Hence, it is the responsibility of every citizen to adhere to the levels of pollution stipulated by the government for two, three and four-wheelers. A PUC Certificate or emission tests will ensure that vehicles do not cross permissible pollution norms.
Benefits of Obtaining PUC Certificate for Your Vehicle:
The impact of pollution on the global environment has prompted countries to bring in new and effective laws to deal with the emission levels of motor vehicles. Apart from being a mandatory document for vehicles plying on roads, below are some of the benefits of obtaining an emission certificate for your vehicle:
Caring for the Environment
Air pollution and its effects on the environment change the earth’s climate and high levels of pollution can have a devastating impact on the global environment. As a responsible individual, caring for the environment by testing your vehicle for pollution and ensuring that they are under the norms should be your priority. Every time you renew the PUC Certificate, you ensure that your car or bike is emitting pollution levels within the stipulated norms.
Awareness of Your Vehicle Condition
You have to renew the PUCC every 6 months and this lets you know the pollution levels of the vehicle. If the levels are higher, you can get it checked with the mechanic before the issue becomes a larger problem. This also helps you maintain the condition of the vehicle by servicing it at regular intervals.
Law Abiding Citizen
By obtaining the PUC Certificate, as a law abiding citizen you are adhering to the rules set by the Government of India through the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988. This also avoids any possible penalties for not carrying the PUCC for your vehicle.
Mandatory Documentation For Motor Vehicle Insurance
During the car or bike insurance renewal, the PUCC is one of the mandatory documents to confirm and approve a renewal for your vehicle. The IRDAI has made it compulsory for insurance companies to renew the vehicle insurance upon producing the emission certificate.
How To Get a PUC Certificate?
To get a PUC Certificate for your car or bike, follow the below guidelines:
- For a new vehicle, the dealer will provide the PUCC, valid for 1-year, therefore you need not apply for the same.
- For pollution certificate renewal, take your car or bike to the nearest emission test centre to get it checked and get the PUC Certificate after paying the required fee.
Through these two methods, you can get a PUC Certificate for your car or bike.
Step-by-Step Guide to Get a PUC Certificate:
You can get your vehicle checked for emission levels and get a PUC Certificate at:
- Petrol pumps or fuel stations across the country which have PUC Centres to get your vehicle tested.
- Licenced auto emission testing centres with a computerised facility.
- Standalone emission testing centres.
Here is the step-by-step guide to get a PUC Certificate:
- Step 1: Take your vehicle (bike/car) to the nearest emission testing centre.
- Step 2: The operator will scan the exhaust pipe through a device to check the emission levels of your vehicle.
- Step 3: After you pay the fees, the operator will issue the PUC Certificate along with the test reading.
How To Get a PUC Certificate Online?
Currently, the government has approved only authorized emission testing centres and RTOs to get a PUC Certificate online. From checking the PUC Centre application status, the online payment of fees, issuing pollution certificates online to registering new or old PUC Centre, the government’s PARIVAHAN web portal offers various transport-related online services.
How To Download (PUC) Pollution Under Control Certificate Online?
The Government has launched the Parivahan online platform for availing transport-related services including Pollution Certificate Download option.
The following steps help you understand how PUC Certificate download works:
- Step 1: Visit the Parivahan section for PUC Certificate and enter the vehicle’s registration number (max 10 characters) and the last five digits of the vehicle’s Chassis Number.
- Step 2: Enter the given security code and click on “PUC Details”.
- Step 3: If your vehicle’s PUCC is active, you will be directed to a new page which contains the vehicle emission test reading and vehicle details. Click on ‘Print” to download the emission certificate online.
How To Check the PUC Certificate Active Status?
You can check the PUC Certificate active status by following the below steps:
- Step 1: Visit the Parivahan section of PUCC and enter your vehicle’s registration number and Chassis Number.
- Step 2: Enter the security code and click on “PUC Details”.
- Step 3: If the status of your vehicle’s emission test is active, you will be directed to a new page which confirms the test readings and the validity period. Click on “Print” if you want to download the pollution certificate.
How To Check Application Status?
To check their application status for new emission testing centres, the government has launched an online platform for services related to PUC Certificate. Follow the steps below to check the status:
- Step 1: Visit the PUC Certificate section of the Parivahan website and enter the Application ID and the security code provided.
- Step 2: Click on “View Application Details” to know the status of the application for an emission testing centre.
How To Find RTO Approved PUC Centres?
To know the details of RTO approved PUC Centres, the Centre has launched Parivahan, an online database and platform for transport-related services. Follow the steps below to find PUC Centres approved by the RTO:
- Step 1: Visit the PUC Certificate section of the Parivahan website.
- Step 2: From the options (navigation menu), click on “PUC Centre List”.
- Step 3: In the new page, select the state and the office and you will be able to view the list of RTO approved PUC Centres along with their address, types of vehicles they test, email address and contact number.
What is The Emission (PUC) Test Procedure?
Driving on public roads without a pollution certificate will attract fines by the traffic police and the transport department. The emission or PUC test procedure is simple to follow and takes a few minutes to get the PUC Certificate.
- Step 1: Visit any of the authorised emission testing centres with your vehicle and pay the prescribed fees for the emission test.
- Step 2: With the help of a device, the PUC Centre will scan your vehicle’s exhaust pipe and take readings of the pollution levels.
- Step 3: The PUC Certificate will be issued which contains the test readings, the validity of the pollution certificate, vehicle details, etc.
To check the permissible pollution levels allowed for two/three/four-wheelers, the above-mentioned table includes the required details.
What is the Validity of PUC Certificate?
Emission levels can differ due to the vehicle age. Therefore, it is mandated that pollution levels of your car or bike are tested at regular intervals. You must carry the PUC Certificate while driving on Indian public roads and your vehicle may be subjected to check for documents such as the emission test certificate. The validity of the PUC Certificate differs between new and old vehicles. Below are the details:
- New Vehicles: PUC validity for new vehicles is 1-year after which you need to renew the PUCC as per the stipulated time frames.
- Old Vehicles: The PUC Certificate validity for old vehicles is 6-months and should be renewed every six months.
Cost To Obtain PUC Certificate:
The cost to get a PUC Certificate depends upon the fuel and the vehicle type. The PUC certificate charges can be between Rs. 60 to Rs. 100 depending upon the vehicle being a two/three/four-wheeler and the fuel type.
Should I Carry the PUC Certificate With Me?
You should carry the soft or hard copy of the PUC Certificate while driving your vehicle on public roads. Failure to do so will attract hefty penalties under Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. While there is no access to a digital certificate, you can retrieve the certificate (valid) from the Parivahan web portal. The platform lets you download the certificate, but only if it has not expired.
Penalties for Not Obtaining a PUC Certificate:
It is mandatory to carry vehicle documents such as Registration Certificate, vehicle insurance policy, PUC Certificate along with the Driving Licence. The penalties for failure to obtain a PUC Certificate are Rs. 1,000 for the first-time offence and Rs. 2,000 for subsequent offences. The fine for not obtaining a PUC Certificate is enforced under Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Frequently Asked Questions About PUC Certificate:
Below are some of the common queries about PUC Certificate in India:
All vehicles which are powered by internal combustion engines (petrol/diesel/CNG/LPG) which are plying on Indian public roads require PUC certification.
The new vehicle will be sold with a PUC Certificate which is valid for a period of 1-year. After the initial validity period, PUC certification is required every 6-months.
The fee ranges between Rs. 60 and Rs. 100 depending upon the type of vehicle as well as the fuel type.
The Centre has launched Parivahan, an online platform offering several transport-related services. Through the website, you can check the status of the PUC Certificate. For more details, read the above-mentioned steps to download the pollution certificate for your vehicle.
Yes. The PUCC issued by the authorized PUC Centres is valid all over India.
All vehicles have to renew the PUC Certificate every 6-months. The government has fixed the PUC Certificate norms for BS4 vehicles. For more details, read the above-mentioned permissible emission levels for BS-IV vehicles.
You need to take your vehicle to an emission testing centre to manually check the emission levels before a pollution certificate can be issued. However, once it is issued, you can download the PUCC from the Parivahan website. Check the above-mentioned steps to download the emission certificate.
Both Acts are legislation passed by the Parliament to regulate licencing of drivers, registration of vehicles, issuance of permits, traffic regulations, penalties, motor insurance, etc. To exercise the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the Indian government made the Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1989.
The vehicle manufacturer issues a pollution certificate for new bikes which is valid for a period of 1-year. Thereafter you need to renew the certificate every 6-months.
You can get a PUCC for your vehicle from any of the authorised emission testing centres which are usually located in petrol pumps.
The fee depends upon the type of vehicle as well as the fuel type. The charge ranges from Rs. 60 to Rs. 100.
Take your vehicle to the nearest PUC Centre to check the emission levels to get a PUC certificate.
After a period of 1 year, the vehicle has to be tested every 6 months.
Authorised PUC centres are open on all days; however, you need to confirm with the local centre about their working hours and days.
Currently, the vehicle needs to be taken to the closest PUC centre to get it checked for emission levels and get the PUCC.
The pollution certificate issued by the authorised emission testing centre is valid across the country and you need not get another certificate when you are in a different state.
There is no late fee associated with the expired PUCC. You need to get your vehicle checked at an emission testing centre to get a new PUCC.
Yes. You can get a pollution certificate for a scooty registered in a different state.
The emission certificate or the PUCC is valid for 1 year in the case of a new vehicle and has to be renewed every 6-months from thereon. All BS-IV diesel private cars must renew the PUCC every 6-months.
Currently, DigiLocker does not have the option to upload and store the PUCC.
The PUCC is valid for a period of 1-year for a new vehicle. However, after a year, you need to get the PUC certification every 6-months.
Presently, only authorised emission testing centres are allowed to issue pollution certificates for vehicles across the country.
No. All vehicles in the country should have a PUC certification done to be able to use the vehicle in the country.
Yes. A two-wheeler such as bikes and scooters should get a PUC certificate, which needs to be renewed every 6-months.
You can get your vehicle’s PUC Certificate by visiting the Parivahan website to download an active pollution certificate. Check the above-mentioned steps to download the same.
With the government’s Parivahan website and mParivahan mobile app, you can upload and save vehicle documents such as Registration Certificate, insurance policy along with your Driving Licence. Hence, these are considered valid as per the IT Act 2000. However, there is no option for the PUC Certificate to be stored, which is the only document that you need to carry. Or, you can download the soft copy of the PUCC from the Parivahan website and use that as the document.
Related Articles:
- All You Need to Know About a Regional Transport Office (RTO) – Fees, Download Forms
- The Effects Of Digital India Initiative On Traffic Violations
Read informative Traffic Rules & Violations Articles at Acko.
Having a vehicle insurance policy helps protect against damages to your vehicle under various circumstances. Stay upto date with the latest Car Insurance Articles and Two Wheeler Insurance Articles here.
Read all our insurance & non insurance related articles here.
