What is a PUC Certificate?

A consolidated system is needed in order to keep track of emissions for individual vehicles as the total number of vehicles plying on the roads is quite large. In this regard, the Government of India has introduced the PUC certificate which refers to an inbuilt Pollution Control System in every vehicle as mandated by the Central Motor Vehicle Rule of 1989 to ensure that all the vehicles comply with the preset emission levels.

A PUC certificate is a legal endorsement provided to your car, which signifies that the exhaust does not exceed the limits that have been imposed by the Government in terms of pollution. In layman’s terms, a PUC certificate is nothing but an official document which claims that the emissions from the vehicle are well within the permissible limits set out by the governing authorities.

There are no exceptions as to who can issue a Pollution Under Control certificate and therefore these testing centres must offer a service with respect to the vehicle only after ‘checking’ its exhaust gas. The pollution certificate of the vehicle shall contain the report of results of the test conducted.

Before diving into the details of a PUC certificate, it’s essential to understand how traffic violations and penalties, such as e-challans, can impact your vehicle. If you’re unsure about how to check and pay an e-challan online, head over to our comprehensive guide on How to Check & Pay E-Challan Online for all the information you need to manage your traffic fines easily.

Why is a PUC Certificate required?

A PUC certificate is imperative as it assures that a vehicle’s exhaust emissions are within the limits specified by the pollution control norms of the Government of India. All types of vehicles emit smoke and regular checks help in preventing excessive pollution. This is important because the green house gases released from automobiles contribute seek to global warming in a very big way.

Therefore, the PUC Certificate assures that the car does not pollute the environment and adheres to rules governing pollution. In order to obtain the PUC Certificate from any authorized center, the vehicle has to undergo a pollution test wherein the emissions of the vehicle are checked. Under the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988, the vehicle owner is obligated to possess, amongst other things, his or her driver’s license, PUC certificate, a registration certificate and a vehicle’s insurance cover.

Consequently, a PUC Certificate is a statutory instrument which permits a vehicle to ply on the road. If the PUC certificate of the vehicle holder is expired, then the holder shall bear the cost. For an initial purchase of a vehicle, the pollution certificate remains valid for one year thereafter the vehicle is required to undertake a PUC test periodically.

In the whole of Delhi, the PUC documentation is accepted for around three months but for the remaining regions of India, it is acceptable for an extent of six months. Despite having a PUC that is still in date, if the emission levels are found to exceed permissible limits then the pollution certificate may also be suspended within seventy two hours a new one applied for.

Is a PUC certificate required for automobiles?

A PUC certificate is one of the most essential papers a motor vehicle driver holds. A car may undergo pollution testing but the PUC certificate is still needing it. The vehicle’s owner will be penalized for failure to show the PUC certificate to a traffic policeman if required.

Not only that, to avoid incurring the maximum bill possible, it is also important to ensure that the pollution certificate is regularly updated. Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act states that the owner of the vehicle shall be punished where he does not possess a valid PUC certificate. In the case of the first offence, car owner / driver is charged a fine of Rs 1000 while in the second offence a fine of Rs 2000 is charged.

What benefits may a PUC certificate offer?

There are several pointers worth highlighting when it comes to the PUC Certificate:

• Obligatory

There exist rules and regulations controlling traffic which necessitate holding a current PUC certificate for your vehicle as a way to shield you from risks such as incurring fines. Additionally, section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act makes it an offence for the owner of a car to operate that car on a public road without a valid PUC certificate. 

• Curbing Pollution 

To lessen the level of all-around pollution, many avenues are explored among them among them the slashing of carbon emissions. Hence, the holder of the automobile is a responsible citizen who helps in reducing the carbon emission levels of the nation.

• Car Condition Update

A PUC certificate for car owners is helpful for making vehicle health checks by assessing the condition of the car during renewals and declaring it fit for the environment.

• Needed for an insurance cover

A PUC certificate is obligatory for the renewal of vehicle insurance according to the directive issued by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA).

What is included in a PUC certificate? 

The following details are included in a Pollution Under Control certificate.

• The serial number of the PUC certificate is used to track when the last test was performed.
• The license plate number of the car
• The vehicle’s registration number
• The pollution test date and the test’s expiration date
• The results of the emission test

How to Get a PUC Certificate Online

The methods for obtaining a PUC certificate online in Bihar are as follows:

• Go to the Parivahan website’s VAHAN gateway.
• Next, select “PUC Certificate.”
• Input the vehicle’s registration number, verification code and chassis number (the final five characters).
• Select “PUC Details.”
• The pollution certificate can be downloaded or printed.

What is the process for the PUC test?

The procedures listed below will help you obtain a Pollution Under Control certificate.

• Step 1: Drive the car to a nearby RTO, a pollution testing facility or a gas station that has a testing facility.
• Step 2: The authorized tester will start the test by measuring the amount of emissions coming from the vehicle’s ejection pipe. Due to the manual nature of the process, the PUC certificate can only be obtained in person at a testing facility.
• Step 3: After that, turn on the car’s ignition and rev up the engine so the attached gadget can measure the carbon emissions. 
• Step 4: The device will show readings on the computer screen after the testing is completed accurately.
• Step 5: The Pollution Under Control certificate is created after the driver snaps a photo of the car’s license plate.
• Step 6: The PUC or pollution certificate can be picked up after payment is completed.
• Step 7: Pressing the accelerator all the way down is done five times for diesel automobiles. The final reading is the average of all the readings.
• Step 8: When driving a gasoline-powered vehicle, the accelerator is left off. The final reading is identified as just one reading.

How to Renew PUC Certificate for Vehicles?

A PUC certificate of vehicle can easily be understood as a document stating that the emissions produced by your car are regularly checked. So, once your PUC certificate is due for renewal, it is necessary to take the vehicle to the nearest available facility to carry out emission tests as illustrated below:

• Step 1: Head to the nearest emissions evaluation unit while having all your documents intact including your old pollution certificate and also your car’s registration certificate (RC).
• Step 2: The attendant in charge of running the test facility will then proceed to analyze fumes produced by the car utilizing gas analyzers in order to determine the level of pollutants emitted from the exhaust of your car.
• Step 3: In case of three testing results which is within compliance of permissible limits, the operator shall issue a new PUCC. Not included though is the situation where the testing operator will give the applicant a rejection due slip and require the latter to bring the emissions down in order to extend PUCC.
• Step 4: Settle the fees for PUC certificate concerning the specific car and type of fuel. After the payment has been processed, collect your new PUC Certificate and keep it safely for the next six months.

How much does a PUC certificate cost and how long is it valid?

The PUC certificate has a limitation in terms of validity that varies by the condition of the vehicle whether new or old.

• The pollution control certificate of a newly purchased car or motor bike is valid for one year. Thereafter, the pollution certificate shall be renewed every six months with the issuance of a new certificate from the local RTO, gas pump emission charging unit or any authorized pollution control unit.
• The validity of the renewed certificate, however may be rescinded before the six months in case the PUC test fails.
• In case some additional carbon emission is detected, the licensed center shall record the registration number of the concerned vehicle and refer it to the RTO, Deputy RTO or Assistant RTO within a day.

PUC certification costs

The expenses associated with obtaining a PUC test and a certificate may range between Rs. 60 to Rs. 100, which usually varies on the type of vehicle and fuel. The charge for a PUC endorsement may vary according to the region. 

Type of Vehicle Emission Tests Performed

The many tests that are performed on automobiles in Bihar and other parts of India are listed below:

• Carbon monoxide test: The carbon monoxide test not only controls carbon monoxide emissions but also evaluates engine performance, air intake efficiency, fuel combustion and other factors.
• Hydrocarbon test: The hydrocarbon test measures the amount of unburned fuel and examines how well the engine is burning it.
• Carbon dioxide test: This assesses the vehicle’s environmental impact by measuring its carbon dioxide emissions.
• Smoke density test: The smoke density test quantifies the amount of black smoke that automobiles emit.
• Idling CO test: This gauges carbon monoxide emissions when an engine is idling.
• Soundness of CNG/LPG Test: The purpose of the CNG/LPG soundness test is to look for any leaks that could raise emissions.

Charges and validity of the Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate

As a PUC certificate and the various associated expenses need to be analyzed, let us look at the money expended in this regard in terms of the fees and the period of validity

Type of vehicle	PUC certificate charges (in Rs.)	Validity period
Two-wheeler	60-100	6 months
Four-wheeler	80-120	6 months
Commercial vehicle	100-200	6 months

How to Download PUC Certificate Online

Use the easy steps listed below to download the PUC certificate:

• Step 1: Go to the Portal for Vahan Parivahan
• Step 2: Select the “PUC Certificate” option from the menu bar.
• Step 3: Type in the information below: “Security Code,” “Chassis Number,” and “Registration Number”
• Step 4: Press the “PUC Details” icon.
• Step 5: The PUC certificate details will be shown on a new page after you are redirected.
• Step 6: The PUC certificate is also available for download.

What penalties result from failing to obtain a PUC certificate?

The Pollution Under Control Certificate is a statutory requirement for every vehicle owner under the Motor Vehicles Act of India and should be renewed before expiry. S. 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act provides the fine amounts payable for contravention of the orders of the pollution control board, that is, rupees one thousand for the first time and rupees two thousand for subsequent times, though precise amounts differ from state to state.

What Information Is Included in the PUC Certificate?

• Certificate Number: The certificate’s special identification number.
• Vehicle Registration Number: This is the car’s official registration number.
• Test Date: The day the emission test was carried out.
• Test reading: Depending on the kind of vehicle and the relevant laws, the values of the pollutants measured during the test, such as levels of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), etc.
• Norms: The emission regulations that the car conforms to, such as BS4 and BS6.
• Validity: The amount of time that the certificate is good for, usually six months to a year, after which a new test is necessary.
• Issuing Authority: The name and contact information of the company or agency that issued the certificate and carried out the emission test.
• Vehicle Details: This may also include basic details about the vehicle, including make, model, engine type and fuel type (petrol, diesel, CNG, etc.).

What Part Does PUC Play in the Renewal of Auto Insurance Policies?

In India, it is mandatory for the car and bike owners to possess a current Pollution Under Control Certificate PUC Certificate while renewing the vehicle insurance company policies as it is mandatory for the vehicle to have PUC Certificate.

Insurance companies are however prevented by the rules of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) from allowing any motor insurance renewal in cases where it was not possible for the vehicle owner to provide a valid PUCC or any other PUC certificate whose validity period has expired and has not been renewed.

Hence a valid PUC Certificate is also a prerequisite for the Auto or motorcycle vehicle insurance cover update to be active, inclusive of the ability to use the vehicle on common roads.

The allowable emission limitations for new cars are listed below

Type of vehicle	Carbon Monoxide (in %)	Hydrocarbon (in PPM)
BS6 and BS4 four-wheelers (CNG/LPG)	0.3	200
BS6 and BS4 four-wheelers (Petrol)	0.3	200

The allowable emission limitations for new bikes are listed below

Type of vehicle	Carbon Monoxide (in %)	Hydrocarbon (in PPM)
BS6 two-wheelers/three-wheelers (CNG/LPG	0.5	500
BS6 two-wheelers/three-wheelers (Petrol)	0.5	500

The allowable emission limitations for Cars older than a year are listed below

Year of Manufacturing of Car	% of Carbon Mono-oxide	Hydrocarbon Measured in PPM
4-Wheeler manufactured according to Pre Bharat-Stage II Norms	3	1500
4-Wheeler manufactured according to Pre Bharat-Stage II and Subsequent Norms	0.5	750

The allowable emission limitations for bikes older than a year are listed below

Year of Manufacturing of Car	% of Carbon Mono-oxide	Hydrocarbon Measured in PPM
2-Wheeler (2/4 stroke) manufactured before 31st March 2000	4.5	9000
2-Wheeler 2 stroke manufactured after 31st March 2000	3.5	6000
2-Wheeler 4 Stroke manufactured after 31st March 2000	3.5	4500

Use the VAHAN website to verify the PUC certificate’s validity

• Online: You can easily check the status of your PUC online through the VAHAN website by choosing the “PUC Certificate” section and providing your vehicle registration number and chassis number.

• Physical Certificate:  There’s also an expiry date on the vehicle PUCC which is for your viewing on the inviolable PUC certificate.

What is the penalty for a PUC certificate that has expired?

A first offense for driving a vehicle without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate is punishable by a fine of ₹1000. In case of repeating the offense, the penalty may extend to ₹2000.

Frequently Asked Questions On PUC Certificate

Q1: What is a PUC certificate?

Ans1: For vehicles required by regulatory bodies, the Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate—also known as the pollution certificate—is an essential document. It acts as evidence that a car conforms with pollution standards.

Q2: How to check PUC certificate online?

Ans2:
Step 1: Visit https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in/puc.
Step 2: Access the Pollution Under Control certificate section.
Step 3: Input your registration number and the last five characters of the vehicle’s serial number in the captcha.
Step 4: If your PUC certificate is valid, you can view and download it from the website.

Q3: Can I download my PUC online?

Ans3: Listed below are the ways in which you can get a PUC certificate online in Karnataka:

• Visit the VAHAN portal of the Parivahan website.
• Then, click on “PUC Certificate.”
• Enter the vehicle registration number, chassis number (last five characters) and verification code.

Q4: पीयूसी सर्टिफिकेट क्या है?

Ans4: प्रदूषण नियंत्रण (PUC) प्रमाणपत्र, जिसे अक्सर प्रदूषण प्रमाणपत्र के रूप में जाना जाता है, नियामक प्राधिकरणों द्वारा अनिवार्य वाहनों के लिए एक महत्वपूर्ण दस्तावेज़ है। यह इस बात का प्रमाण है कि वाहन उत्सर्जन मानदंडों का अनुपालन करता है।

Q5: How long is PUC valid?

Ans5:
Additional information regarding the PUC Certificate’s validity in India is provided below:

PUC validity for an automobile: The PUC validity for the new car is one year.

You can then look up “PUC near me” and renew the pollution certificate every six months after that. 

Q6: What is the cost of PUC?

Ans6: The cost of a PUC certificate for a car might vary from Rs 100 to Rs 200, depending on the fuel type and vehicle type. Additionally, the price may differ per state.

Q7: Is PUC required for a new bike?

Ans7: According to the Motor Vehicle Act, a new bike should have a PUC certificate. The validity of the PUCC for new bikes stands at 1 year. The PUC certificate is renewed for an additional six months once that time has passed.

Q8: What is the expiry date of PUC certificate?

Ans8: Newer four-wheelers have a different PUC certificate validity than earlier models. A PUC certificate is given to new cars and it is good for a year after it is issued. Regardless of the sort of vehicle you own, you will need to obtain a fresh PUC certificate every six months once this first year is up.

Q9: क्या बीएस6 वाहनों को पीयूसी की जरूरत है?

Ans9:

• क्या BS6 वाहनों के लिए PUC सर्टिफिकेट ज़रूरी है? हाँ, BS6 वाहनों के लिए प्रदूषण नियंत्रण (PUC) सर्टिफिकेट ज़रूरी है।
• क्या मुझे नई कार के लिए प्रदूषण प्रमाणपत्र लेने की ज़रूरत है? हाँ, आपको अपनी नई कार के लिए PUC सर्टिफिकेट की ज़रूरत है, जो आम तौर पर वाहन डीलर द्वारा जारी किया जाता है और एक साल के लिए वैध होता है।

Q10: ऑफलाइन पीयूसी वैध है?

Ans10: आप सरकार से संबद्ध पीयूसी केंद्रों और आरटीओ जैसे अधिकृत निकायों से ऑनलाइन या ऑफलाइन वैध पीयूसी प्रमाणपत्र प्राप्त कर सकेंगे।

Q11: How to pass a pollution test?

Ans11:

• Check for Gas Cap Leakage: If your car fails an emission test, it may be because the gas cap is leaking. Look for any gas leaks and replace it with one that seals the tank properly if you find any.
• Check the “Check Engine” Light: If the “Check Engine” light is left on during the emission test, failure may ensue.

Q12: Can I do PUC again?

Ans12: Yes, After failing the first PUC Science, you can, in fact, retake it. However, the particular guidelines for repeating the year could differ based on your state’s or country’s educational system. For more information, it is advisable to contact your school or education board.

Q13: Can PUC be done for 1 year?

Ans13: A pre-made, one-year-valid PUC certificate is included when you purchase a new vehicle. You will need to get your new car’s warranty renewed when the first year is over. Six months will pass before the new PUC certificate expires.

Q14: Can PUC be done at home?

Ans14:
Till now, only the authorised emission testing centres and Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) can provide a PUC certificate. This means that it is not possible to get a new PUC certificate online. However, you can check the status of your existing PUC certificate, validity, expiry date, etc.