If you plan to take your car or bike out of the garage, you must have certain documentation. Otherwise, the police might heavily penalise you. One such essential paperwork is the Pollution Under Control or PUC certificate.
All vehicles on Indian roads must have a valid "pollution certificate." Also, vehicle owners can only renew their auto insurance with a car pollution certificate. This rule has been stated in the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988.
Read our blog to learn more about the PUC certificate online.
What is a PUC certificate?
Have you seen cars with black smoke coming out of their exhausts a few years back? Well, now they are a thing of the past because cars cannot move on the Indian roads if they do not have a valid vehicle pollution certificate.
The PUC certificate proves that your motor vehicle's emissions meet the environmental guidelines.
PUC certificate is mandatory for two-wheelers, four-wheelers, and trucks. Both diesel and petrol vehicles have to undergo the pollution test.
How can I obtain a PUC certificate?
Now that you understand how vital a PUC certificate is, let us learn how to get one for your vehicle.
The car dealer usually provides the PUC for a new car, and you would only have to renew it after its validity is over.
You can get a PUC certificate online as well as offline.
How to get a PUC certificate offline?
One of the most common ways to get a PUC certificate is by visiting an emission testing centre, either a standalone centre or in neighbourhood petrol pumps.
The steps to get a PUC certificate offline:
1. Drive your bike or car to the nearest emission centre on the day your PUC expires or a day before (it's better to be safe than be fined later on).
2. Ask an authorised personnel to check your car.
3. They will test the emissions by placing a nozzle attached to a computer inside your exhaust pipes.
4. It takes a few minutes, and you must turn off the A/C and keep your engines on during this time. You might also be asked to press on the accelerator.
5. The personnel will give you the certificate containing the emission readings.
6. You would need to pay the fees, and you are road-ready!
How to get a PUC certificate online?
Another way to get a PUC certificate is by visiting the Indian government's Parivahan website.
It must be noted here that a vehicle owner cannot renew the PUC online. The vehicle must undergo an emission test to get a new PUC certificate, which can only happen in authorised centres.
Steps to get an online pollution certificate:
1. Visit the VAHAAN website. You can use this URL: https://puc.parivahan.gov.in/puc/
2. Next, click on the "PUC certificate" option.
3. You would need to enter a few details like the registration number of your car/bike, the last few digits of your chassis number, and a security key before clicking on "PUC details."
4. You can then view the status of your PUC certificate and print the certificate.
What is the cost of renewing a car pollution certificate?
The cost of renewing your PUC certificate will depend on the vehicle and fuel type. Generally, it can cost anywhere between 60-100 rupees. You will also need to pay state GST and central GST on top of it.
What is the validity of the PUC certificate?
A new car or bike's PUC is valid for a year. After that, the PUC certificate needs to be renewed every six months to one year, depending on the car's age.
You also get a grace period of seven days from the day of the expiration of the pollution certificate. You will have to renew the PUC certificate of the vehicle within that time, or you will have to pay heavy fines.
The penalty for driving without a valid vehicle pollution certificate is 1,000 rupees. This amount is only for first-time offenders. If the police catches you a second time, you must pay 2000 rupees.
It is advisable to renew your PUC certificate before it lapses.
How to find a PUC centre while travelling?
Imagine this: you are on a road trip when suddenly you get a reminder that your pollution certificate will expire in the next two days, and you are 400 km away from your home. So, what will you do in such a situation?
1. Go to the VAHAAN website.
2. Click on the "PUC centre list."
3. Select the state and the city.
4. And the testing centres will be shown to you.
What is mentioned on my PUC certificate?
Whether you download a PUC certificate online or get it from a petrol pump, you must check for the following:
1. Details of the vehicle- registration number
2. Date of the reading
3. Valid through date
4. PUC certificate serial number
5. The readings of the emission test
Emission permissible limits for cars in India
Below-mentioned are the legally permissible limits of emissions for new vehicles:
Vehicle category Carbon Monoxide (CO ) Emission Hydrocarbons Levels
4 Wheelers vehicles of BS-4 & BS-6 (CNG/Petrol) 0.3% 200
BS-6 two-wheelers and three-wheelers (CNG/Petrol) 0.5% 500
Vehicle category Light Absorption Co-efficient Maximum Smoke Density
Diesel vehicle (BS-4) 1.62 60
Diesel vehicle (Pre-BS-4) 2.45 65
Why is it necessary to obtain an online pollution certificate?
Renewing your PUC certificate is necessary because of the following reasons:
1. It helps to show that you are a law-abiding Indian citizen.
2. The impact of pollution is evident. By driving a car that doesn't pollute the environment, you can do your part in saving the environment.
3. The emission test also allows you to understand your car's health. If the emission levels are not right, you can immediately take your vehicle for servicing.
4. A valid PUC certificate is an essential document for insurance renewal.
You can also get your vehicle insured with us at Generali Central. Speak to our associates to know more.
