PUC Certificate - Pollution Certificate for Vehicles: Procedure, Download Online, Status and Cost

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.

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.

Also, read: Vehicle Scrappage Policy in India

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:

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:

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):

PUC Certificate for Diesel Vehicles:

Diesel vehicles are tested differently and below are the approved pollution levels for PUC Certification:

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.

Also, read: Certificate of Insurance in Motor Vehicles Act

Frequently Asked Questions About PUC Certificate:

Below are some of the common queries about PUC Certificate in India:

Which vehicles require PUC Certification?

All vehicles which are powered by internal combustion engines (petrol/diesel/CNG/LPG) which are plying on Indian public roads require PUC certification.

Is a pollution certificate required for a new vehicle?

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.

What is the cost of the emission test?

The fee ranges between Rs. 60 and Rs. 100 depending upon the type of vehicle as well as the fuel type.

How can I check my PUC Certificate?

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.

Is PUC Certificate valid across India?

Yes. The PUCC issued by the authorized PUC Centres is valid all over India.

What is the BS4 vehicle pollution certificate validity period?

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.

Can we get a PUC Certificate online?

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.

What is the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1989?

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.

What is the pollution certificate validity period for new bikes?

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.

Where can you get a PUC Certificate?

You can get a PUCC for your vehicle from any of the authorised emission testing centres which are usually located in petrol pumps.

What are the PUC certificate charges for cars?

The fee depends upon the type of vehicle as well as the fuel type. The charge ranges from Rs. 60 to Rs. 100.

How do I get a valid PUC certificate for a 20-year vehicle if insurance and roadworthiness certificate is present?

Take your vehicle to the nearest PUC Centre to check the emission levels to get a PUC certificate.

After what period does a new car require a PUC Certificate in India?

After a period of 1 year, the vehicle has to be tested every 6 months.

What are the working days of PUC Centres?

Authorised PUC centres are open on all days; however, you need to confirm with the local centre about their working hours and days.

Is it possible for senior citizens to avail the services of an emission test for their vehicle at home?

Currently, the vehicle needs to be taken to the closest PUC centre to get it checked for emission levels and get the PUCC.

How to get a PUC Certificate for my vehicle which was issued from a different state?

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.

What is the late fee to renew an expired PUC Certificate?

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.

Can I get a PUC Certificate for a scooty registered in a different state?

Yes. You can get a pollution certificate for a scooty registered in a different state.

What is the validity of the PUCC obtained for BS-IV diesel private cars as per the MV Act, 1988 and what is the frequency of renewing the certificate?

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.

Under which Ministry option is the PUC certificate available on DigiLocker app?

Currently, DigiLocker does not have the option to upload and store the PUCC.

How many months or years do we not require a PUC Certificate for a new two-wheeler in India?

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.

How to update the vehicle registration number on the PUC database to get a pollution certificate?

Presently, only authorised emission testing centres are allowed to issue pollution certificates for vehicles across the country.

Is there any exemption for heavy vehicles such as cranes from PUC certificates in India?

No. All vehicles in the country should have a PUC certification done to be able to use the vehicle in the country.

Is a PUC Certificate required for two-wheelers?

Yes. A two-wheeler such as bikes and scooters should get a PUC certificate, which needs to be renewed every 6-months.

I sold my vehicle two months ago but I am unable to find the PUC Certificate. What should I do?

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.

What documents should not be kept in my vehicle?

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.

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News Related to Pollution Certificate for Vehicles:

No need of PUC Certificate for Vehicle Insurance Claims: IRDA

– August 27, 2020

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDA) has stated that there is no need for a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate for vehicle insurance claims. Previously, the Supreme Court of India had directed the insurance companies to renew the insurance only if the vehicle has a valid PUC certificate. IRDA has issued a clarification on the same due to some reports stating that PUC certificate is necessary for motor insurance claims. The insurance regulator has put an end to the confusion and has said that the PUC certificate is only required for insurance renewals but not for claims. IRDA has highlighted the fact that pollution clearance certificate is mandatory for all insurance applications and renewals, but not necessary for claims. The increasing pollution levels in the country has become a major concern and vehicular pollution has a major part in it. With strict rules and regulations, the government is trying to keep the pollution under check.

PUC Certificate a Must to Renew Vehicle Insurance

– August 24, 2020

Adhering to the Supreme Court of India, insurance companies must renew motor insurance only for vehicles with valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) has asked insurance providers to adhere to the Supreme Court ruling. With the ruling, insurers will ask for the vehicle valid PUCC before renewing the policy. In a circular, the insurance regulator said that the Central Pollution Control Board has brought attention to the status of compliance in the direction of the Supreme Court in the NCR. It added that the insurers must ensure they comply with the direction, especially in the NCR of Delhi. The Supreme Court of India, in July 2018, was concerned about the vehicular pollution in Delhi and directed insurance providers not to renew vehicle insurance if the PUCC is not produced by the vehicle owner.