PUC certificate is one of the necessary documents that a vehicle owner should always have with them while driving a vehicle yet few people are not aware about all the details around it.
In this article, we will take you through all the important questions one might have regarding PUC and why it is so essential for us to comply with this regulation.
What is a PUC certificate?
PUC certificate is an official document issued by the Government of India to certify that the pollution emission norms of your vehicle is under permissible limit for it to be driven on the roads of India.
It is a mandatory document for vehicle owners to have under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 in India. Challans can be issued to vehicle owners under Section 190 (2) of the Motors Vehicle Act, 1988 if the vehicle does not have a valid PUCC (pollution under control certificate).
What is the significance of having a PUC certificate? Why do we need it?
PUC certificate ensures that every vehicle on the road is following the right vehicle emission norms. It is of utmost importance because air pollution is a serious issue in India as it is home to 13 of the world’s top 20 polluted cities.
Major contribution to air pollution in India are:
- Industrial Pollution caused by factories
- Vehicle and automobile pollution caused by trucks, cars, bikes, and other vehicles
- Crop burning
PUCC aims to address the air pollution caused by vehicles by defining the correct emission norms. Introduction of electric vehicles in India is another step towards combating air pollution.
What is the validity of a PUC certificate?
A new car comes with a default 1 year validity for PUC certificate. After a year, the vehicle owner needs to get the PUC certificate renewed which usually happens for a further duration of 6 months.
By enforcing renewals every 6 months, the government ensures that any issues with vehicle emissions are addressed proactively.
How much does a PUC certificate cost?
A PUC certificate for a car can cost in the range of Rs 100 - Rs 200, depending on the type of the vehicle and type of fuel. The cost may also vary depending on the state.
What is the procedure to obtain a PUC certificate online and offline?
PUC certificate can be applied for online on the official website of VAHAN or you can drive your vehicle to one of the offline centres.
Online method
Step 1: Go to official website of Parivahan and click on “Online Services” in the menu
Step 2: Click on “PUCC” from the drop down menu and you will reach the PUC section on the website.
Step 3: Click on PUC certificate in the menu and enter your registration number and the last 5 digits of CHASSIS number
Step 4: Click on “Get Details” and you would be able to make the payment for PUC appointment online
Step 5: You should now get details of the authorised PUC centre along with a unique ID, date, and time of the appointment
Step 6: Visit the authorised centre on the scheduled date and time to get your PUC done.
Step 7: Once the PUC is completed, the centre should give you a physical certificate or you can download one from the Parivahan website.
Offline method
Step 1: Find the authorised PUC centre list from the Parivahan website.
Step 2: In case you do not find any authorised centre on the website then you can also drive to one of the nearest petrol pumps to get it done or search for “puc near me” on Google.
Step 3: Drive with your vehicle to this centre to get your PUC done
Step 4: Once the PUC is completed, the centre would give you a physical certificate or you can download from the Parivahan website.
Step 5: Pay the applicable fees to the PUC authority. You can find the fee on the certificate as well.
What is the procedure for emission testing?
Obtaining a PUC certificate from one of the centres is super easy and is not time consuming as well. Below is a step by step guide for the same:
Step 1: Drive your vehicle to the authorised PUC centre and position the vehicle as directed by the authorised person at the centre.
Step 2: Once it is positioned correctly, the person would insert a device in the exhaust pipe of the vehicle and rev up the engine of the vehicle.
Step 3: Based on the emissions, the person would see different emission readings on their computer.
Step 4: Once the readings are satisfactory, the person would take a print out of the readings, click a photo of your vehicle, and provide you with a physical certificate with a stamp on it.
What are the different types of emission tests performed on vehicles?
Based on the fuel type of your vehicle, the emission tests performed are different. You can find the relevant tests below:
| Emission Test | Description | Fuel types applicable | Permissible Limit for BS VI vehicles |
| Carbon Monoxide (CO) Test | Measures the amount of carbon monoxide gas produced by the exhaust of the vehicle. High levels of CO emissions can denote issues with your engine’s fuel system, ignition system, or the vehicle exhaust. | Petrol, CNG, LPG, and Electric cars | 1.0 g/KM |
| Hydrocarbon (HC) Test | Measures the unburned fuel in the vehicle exhaust system to ensure entire fuel is combusted within the engine. | Petrol, CNG, LPG, and Electric cars | 0.1 g/KM |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) Test | Measures the amount of CO2 released into the environment by the vehicle. | Petrol cars | Depends on the type of vehicle |
| Smoke Density Test | Measures the opacity or density of the smoke coming out of vehicle exhaust | Diesel cars | Light-duty diesel vehicles: 0.70 m^-1
Heavy-duty diesel vehicles: 0.86 m^-1 |
| Idling CO Test | Measures amount of carbon monoxide emitted when the engine is idle | Diesel cars | 0.30% of exhaust gases |
| Soundness of CNG/ LPG System | Measures safety in delivering fuel from CNG/ LPG tank to the engine and ensures there is zero leak | CNG/ LPG cars | NA |
What to do if my vehicle does not pass the PUC test?
Due to issues with the vehicle, it is possible that the PUC might give a negative reading and thus the PUC certificate is not renewed. Vehicle owner should then immediately get the vehicle repaired and redo the PUC test at the authorised centre.
What are the kinds of issues I should check if my PUC test fails?
One can go to an authorised service centre or car workshop to get their car checked in case of negative reading in PUC.
Top 5 issues to look at when the vehicle fails PUC test:
- Engine tune-up: One might need to fine tune the engine so that it intakes the right amount of fuel, combusts the fuel, and reduces emissions
- Air filter replacement: Air intake quality can get deteriorated if the filters are not clean leading to inefficiency in fuel combustion
- Fuel system cleaning: Fuel injectors might need cleaning or replacement altogether to ensure proper fuel pressure
- Spark plug replacement: Worn out spark plugs can cause higher emission of CO and HC
- Exhaust system repair: Leaks or damages to exhaust system should be repaired immediately so that pollutants are routed properly
For vehicle owners in Gurgaon, they can now schedule or book an appointment for car services and repair at one of the FOURDOOR workshops operated by CARS24.
Where do I check the validity of a PUC certificate?
Validity of PUC for a vehicle can be checked online on Parivahan website. You can follow below steps for it:
Step 1: Visit the official website of Parivahan and go to the PUC section.
Step 2: Enter your vehicle registration number and last 5 digits of chassis number
Step 3: Enter captcha and click on get details
Step 4: Validity of PUC certificate will be displayed.
It is essential to check for PUC validity of a vehicle while buying a used car to avoid fines later.
What are the fines if I don't have a PUC certificate?
As per Section 190 (2) of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, vehicle owners are liable to pay a challan of Rs. 10,000 or three months of imprisonment or both if they are driving a vehicle on the road without a valid PUC certificate.
Frequently asked questions about PUC certificates
Q. What is PUCC?
PUCC or Pollution Under Control Certificate is a document issued against a vehicle to signify that it complies with the emission norms defined in the Motor Vehicle Act.
Q. Is pollution certificate required for a BS6 new car?
Yes, a pollution certificate is required for a BS6 new car. Your authorised car dealer will provide you with a copy of the same which will be valid for a period of 1 year.
Q. Do I need a PUC certificate for electric vehicles as well?
Yes, electric vehicles also require a valid PUC certificate.
Q. Will my insurance claim be affected if I don’t have a valid PUC?
Yes, Insurance companies may reject your claim in case the PUC of the vehicle has expired. It may also lead to increased premium charges at the time of insurance renewal.
Q. Can you renew your PUC Certificate online?
Yes, you can renew your PUC Certificate online as long as you already have an active one. However, if your PUC Certificate has expired, you have to go to your nearest testing centre to get a new certificate.
Q. How long is your PUC Certificate valid?
For new vehicles, the PUC Certificate is valid for one year, while for older vehicles, it's valid for six months or one year, depending on the age of the vehicle.
Q. Can traffic police ask for PUCC?
Even though traffic police now have digital machines to check for PUCC of a vehicle online, one should nevertheless keep a copy of PUCC in the vehicle.
Q. Should I carry the PUC Certificate while driving the vehicle?
Yes, it's essential to carry your PUC Certificate while driving as it serves as proof of your vehicle's compliance with pollution standards.
Q. Can I get the PUC Certificate for my vehicle in another state?
Yes, you can obtain a PUC Certificate in another state.
Q. Is the Pollution Under Control Certificate valid all over India?
Yes, the PUC Certificate is valid throughout India, ensuring consistent emission standards compliance.
Q. Is there a late fee for renewing an expired PUC Certificate?
There is no late fee for renewing an expired PUC Certificate.
Q. How to add PUC in Digilocker?
Pollution certificate is not available in Digilocker and thus you will need to carry a soft or hard copy of PUC with the vehicle.
Q. How do I renew my PUC certificate?
One can renew a PUC certificate by driving to one of the authorised PUC centres or scheduling an appointment online on Parivahan website.
Q. How do I track my PUC application after applying online?
After you have applied for PUC online, you can track the status of your application on the official website.
Enter the application ID and the code to view the application details.
Below are some of the possible PUC status and their interpretation:
- Application Submitted: You get this status when you application has been received and is pending approval
- Forwarded to Concerned RTO: You get this status when your application has been sent to the relevant Regional Transport Office (RTO) for processing
- Certificate Issued: You get this status when your PUC certificate has been issued and can be downloaded
- Application Rejected: You get this status when your application has been rejected
Q. I lost my physical copy of the PUC certificate. How do I get a duplicate copy?
One can simply download the PUC certificate by going to the official website of Parivahan.
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