Many nations have decided to adopt a uniform standard for the maximum allowable car emissions to curb global pollution.
To ensure compliance with government-mandated emission standards, all motor vehicles will be tested by this regulation. After a vehicle has passed the inspection, it will be issued a Vehicle Pollution Certificate, also known as a PUC Certificate.
Learn more about the types of pollution certificate near me (for a two-wheeler, LMV, and HMV), how to apply for one, and the penalties for not having one.
What is a pollution certificate?
When your vehicle’s emissions are measured and determined to be under the legal limits, the government will grant you a pollution certificate or a PUC certificate. The Central Motor Vehicles Act of 1989 mandates that drivers have a certified pollution certificate. Heavy fines will be imposed on the driver and the vehicle owner if a pollution certificate is unavailable. The following details need to be included on a pollution certificate for a vehicle:
- Vehicle registration number
- Pollution certificate serial number
- The emissions test date
- Date of pollution certificate expiration
- Vehicle emissions reading
An up-to-date pollution certificate must be carried by every vehicle driven on a public road, regardless of whether the vehicle in question is a motorcycle, a car, or a large commercial truck.
How to apply for a pollution certificate?
When purchasing a brand-new vehicle, the dealer will always provide you with a pollution certificate valid for one year from the date of issue. The following procedures should be followed for pre existing vehicles:
- Locate a PUC centre that is close to you. It might be a petrol station, an authorised car emission testing centre, or an independent private emission testing centre.
- For the testing executive to ascertain the number of emissions that your car produces, he or she will need to scan your exhaust pipe.
- After you have paid the required money, you will be given a pollution certificate that includes the results of your tests.
Using the online parivahan sewa site, it is possible to verify pollution certificates online, find out whether or not pollution certificates are still valid, and make payments online.
Where to look for RTO-approved PUCs?
Through the Parivahan online portal, it is simple to locate online the PUC centres that the RTO has authorised. The procedure for it is as follows.
- Sign in to the VAHAN web portal using your Parivahan credentials.
- To access the list of PUC centres, choose that option from the main navigation bar.
- You may examine the RTO-approved pollution testing centres summary by selecting the ‘State and Office’ option from the drop-down list.
How to check pollution certificate status online?
The instructions below will walk you through doing your own online check for a pollution certificate, giving you access to all relevant information concerning the certificate.
Visit https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in/puc
Click the area labelled PUC Certificate.
Input your licence plate number, the last five digits of your vehicle’s chassis number, and the captcha code.
You will be able to verify the pollution certificate of your car online via this method. This will allow you to determine whether or not the PUC Certificate of your vehicle is active, as well as the validity of the pollution certificate and the readings.
How to download the pollution certificate status online?
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has established a centralised web portal for PUC certificate download and online pollution certificate application. If you need to download a pollution certificate online, here’s what you need to know:
- Visit https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in/puc
- Click the area labelled PUC Certificate.
- Input your licence plate number and the last five digits of your vehicle’s chassis number, and then enter the captcha code.
- If your pollution control certification is still valid, you will be led to a website displaying it online. There, your PUC certificate may be printed and downloaded online.
Pollution certificate renewal
If you want to renew your PUC online, you must be informed that this cannot be done online. To maintain your vehicle’s pollution certification, you must have an emission test performed. The only way to do that is to take the car to an emission testing station. Therefore, PUCs cannot be renewed electronically at this time.
Pollution certificate validity
Emission levels begin to vary as the vehicle ages. As a result, the government now requires the owner to monitor the vehicle’s pollution levels at regular intervals and get a current pollution certificate, which may be done physically or digitally. There are certain guidelines for how long a pollution certificate will be valid in India.
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For new vehicles
A pollution certificate is often included with brand-new vehicles. This certificate is effective for one year from the day it was issued, after which it must be renewed by the regulations set out by the government.
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For old vehicles
The validity of the PUC certificate is reduced to six months for cars over six years old. If the readings are negative, the period of time during which the validity is maintained will be determined by the amounts of pollution that were measured.
Pollution certificate charges
The bike and car PUC fees change depending on the kind of fuel and vehicle being used. The cost of a pollution certificate for a car or motorcycle may vary anywhere between Rs. 60 to Rs. 100, and this fee is determined by both the kind of vehicle and the type of fuel used. In addition, the cost of obtaining a PUC Certificate might vary from state to state.
Pollution certificate penalties
A pollution certificate is required under the Motor Vehicles Act, alongside a valid driver’s licence, proof of insurance, and registration for the vehicle. You will be fined heavily for violating Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, if you are pulled over and do not have your pollution certificate with you.
A fine of Rs. 1,000 is imposed on first-time offenders who cannot provide a valid vehicle PUC certificate. For further offences, a fine of Rs. 2,000 is assessed for a lapsed pollution certificate.
Pollution norms for vehicles
The following is a list of the maximum amounts of carbon emissions that are permitted for various types of vehicles:
| Vehicle Type | % of Carbon Monoxide | Hydrocarbon measure in PPM |
| 2-wheelers and 3-wheelers with a 2/4 stroke engine that was introduced on or before March 31, 2000 | 4.5 | 9000 |
| 2- and 3-wheeled 2-stroke vehicles that were produced after the 31st of March, 2000 | 3.5 | 6000 |
| 2- and 3-wheeled 4-stroke vehicles that were produced after the 31st of March, 2000 | 3.5 | 4,500 |
| Automobiles with four wheels that were produced by the Pre BS-II Norms | 3 | 1,500 |
| four-wheeled vehicles that were produced by the Pre-BS II, Stage III, or succeeding Norms | 0.5 | 750 |
How to add a pollution certificate in Digilocker?
To upload your pollution certificate into Digilocker, you must follow the steps listed below:
- Check out the website for Digilocker.
- To access your account, please log in. You might also continue by creating a brand-new account for yourself.
- Proceed to the section labelled “Issued Documents.”
- Select the Check Partners option from the menu.
- Choose the “Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, All States” from the drop-down menu located next to the area labelled “Partner Name,” and then choose “Emission Certificate” from the field labelled “Document Type.”
- Please enter your vehicle number to add the pollution certificate to the Digilocker.
With this, you can check the pollution certificate anytime on Digilocker and download it.
See also: How to deal with indoor air pollution?
FAQs
What does PUC stand for?
PUC is an abbreviation for Pollution Under Control certificate in its full form. It is a document of authorisation that the Indian government grants to motor vehicles that are the controlled emission regulations and standard levels.
What kinds of documents do I need to get a pollution certificate?
To receive a pollution certificate, you will need to take it to an approved emission test centre so that the amount of pollution that it produces can be measured. There is no need for any further documentation.
Can I get a second copy of my car's pollution certificate?
If you are required to carry a pollution certificate, you must do so in electronic or hard copy form. If you have misplaced or destroyed the pollution certificate, you may easily acquire a new one using the Parivahan Sewa portal's PUC certificate download tool.
Can I get a one-year PUC certificate?
PUC certificates are only valid for a period of one year for brand-new motor vehicles. After that, you will need to obtain the PUC certificate for your car to be renewed once every six months.
Is a pollution certificate necessary for a brand-new automobile or motorcycle?
A PUC certificate is obligatory for all newly manufactured motor vehicles. The dealers give out a pollution certificate valid for one year for any new automobiles purchased. Consequently, you must acquire your car's pollution certificate, updated every six months.
How can I check the validity of my PUC?
If you need to examine the information on your pollution certificate, you can do it via the Parivahan Sewa website, where you can also validate the information.
How do I use the Internet to renew my pollution certificate?
To keep your pollution certificate current, you must bring your vehicle to the emission test centre that is located closest to you and have the emissions levels examined. After you have paid the requisite amount of the charge, you will then be able to receive the PUC certificate for the vehicle.
What are PUC centres approved by the RTO?
The PUC centres that the RTO has approved are where emission testing may occur. The RTO authorises these offices. On the website for Parivahan Sewa, you will be able to see a list of all of the RTO-approved PUC centres in each of the various states.
Can I get a PUC certificate for a date in the past?
A specialised or retroactive vehicle pollution certificate is not allowed by law. If you are fined for not having a pollution certificate on record, however, you may have a PUC certificate generated at an emission testing facility that matches the date of your last emission test.
