Are you vehicle owner or planning to buy one? In India, having Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate is mandatory. It ensures your vehicle emissions are within allowed limits. With more vehicles on roads, pollution is increasing. Vehicles are major cause of air pollution. Getting PUC certificate helps you follow rules and protect environment. In this blog, we will discuss about PUC in detail
What is a PUC certificate
PUC stands for Pollution Under Control. Vehicles release smoke, so it is important to check if they are polluting environment. Pollution Under Control shows that your vehicle meets emission limits and is safe to drive on roads. It also means your vehicle is not causing excess pollution. It is compulsory for every vehicle to have PUC certificate. You also need valid PUC to renew your motor insurance.
When is pollution under control certificate granted to a vehicle
Vehicles get pollution under control certificate only when they pass pollution under control test. The pollution under control test confirms that vehicle’s emissions meet air pollution control standards.
Where to get Vahan parivahan PUC certificate
You can get your Pollution under Control certificate or Vahan Parivahan PUC certificate at following places:
- Authorised petrol bunks that conduct emission tests
- Authorised emission testing centres
- Authorised service centres that conduct emission tests.
Pollution under control certificate validity
Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate for new car is valid for 1 year. When you buy car, your PUC will be valid for 12 months. After 1 year, you need to test your car again to renew PUC. Renewed PUC is valid for 6 months. Validity can change based on your vehicle’s emission levels.
PUC certificate charges
Cost for Pollution Under Control Certificate is between Rs.60/- to Rs.100/-, depending on whether its fuel or diesel vehicle.
Penalty for not having PUC
If you do not carry valid PUC certificate, you can be fined. This is similar to not having motor insurance. You may be charged under Section 190(2) of Motor Vehicles Act. Penalty for not having PUC is ₹1000 for first offence. For repeat offence, fine is ₹2000.
Perks of Holding PUC Certificate
Here are the perks of the vahan parivahan PUC certificate
- Protect environment – Air pollution is harmful and increases global warming. PUC certificate checks your vehicle emissions and keeps them within limits. This helps protect environment.
- Stay aware of vehicle condition – Renew PUC every 6 months. It helps you track emission levels of your vehicle. If levels are high, you can fix issues on time.
- Follow law – You must have PUC certificate as per Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. If you do not have it, you may be fined.
- Required for motor insurance – Valid PUC certificate is needed when you renew your vehicle insurance.
How to get PUC certificate
The procedure to receive Pollution under Control certificate is given as below:
- If your vehicle is brand new, motor dealer who sold it will arrange PUC for you.
- If you need renewal, visit authorised petrol pump with your vehicle. Follow steps given there.
- For diesel vehicles, press accelerator fully. Pollution level is checked five times. Average of these readings becomes final result.
- For petrol vehicles, keep car in idle condition. Pollution level is checked once. This becomes final reading.
- Officials will insert probe into exhaust pipe to measure emission levels.
- Pay required fee to receive your PUC certificate.
Is PUC Certificate required for Car
Yes, you must have a Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate for your car. It is mandatory to drive on Indian roads. Your car must meet these emission limits:
| Type of Car | Carbon Monoxide (%) | Hydrocarbon (PPM) |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Bharat Stage II vehicles | 3 | 1500 |
| Bharat Stage II and later | 0.5 | 750 |
If your car does not meet these limits, you cannot use it on road.
Pollution under control certificate for bike
Yes, you must have PUC certificate for your bike. It is mandatory to ride on Indian roads. Your bike must meet these emission limits:
| Type of Bike | Carbon Monoxide (%) | Hydrocarbon (PPM) |
|---|---|---|
| 2/4 stroke (before 31 March 2000) | 4.5 | 9000 |
| 2-stroke (after 31 March 2000) | 3.5 | 6000 |
| 4-stroke (after 31 March 2000) | 3.5 | 4500 |
If your bike does not meet these limits, you cannot use it on road.
Re-Registration of Vehicle after 15 Years
FAQs
What is a pollution under control certificate?
It is a document that shows your vehicle’s emissions are within allowed limits. It is issued by an authorised testing centre.
How to get a PUC certificate?
Visit authorised vehicle testing centre. Your vehicle will be checked for emissions. If it meets limits, you will get PUC certificate.
What is the cost of pollution under a control certificate in India?
The cost of pollution under control ranges from 60 to 100 Rs depending upon the type of vehicle and testing centre.
What is the validity of a PUC certificate?
For new vehicles, it is valid for 1 year. For older vehicles, it is valid for 6 months to 1 year.
Can we renew PUC after expiry?
Yes, you can renew it after expiry. But you should renew before expiry to avoid penalty.
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