A PUC or Pollution Under Control certificate is essentially required for every vehicle running on Indian roads. It reflects that a certain vehicle emits fumes within the permissible limit set by the government. For a car or two-wheeler, a valid PUC has become of prime importance these days so as to save the environment and also to save oneself from heavy fines in case one doesn’t have this important paper. Here is included a step-by-step guide as to how one gets the PUC certificate, its importance, and some frequently asked questions concerning the Pollution Under Control Certificate, PUC.
1. What is a PUC Certificate?
PUC means Pollution Under Control. A PUC is an official paper that proves your vehicle comes under all the emission standards laid down by the government. In other words, it is a sort of certification to prove that fumes coming out from your vehicle are within permissible limits and not harmful to the environment.
Vehicles emitting higher pollutants than the limited rate of emission set by the government are termed unsafe for the environment and hence fined accordingly. PUCC stands for the fact that it is just a documented certificate given to those vehicles which get a pass in the pollution test.
2. Why is a PUC Certificate Important?
A PUC certificate, according to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, provides assurance that the vehicle is within the environmental boundaries. According to the rules, a person driving without a valid PUC certificate would be liable to pay a certain amount as fines. You are required to show a valid PUC certificate when you get or renew your vehicle insurance.
Besides being a legal requirement, it makes sure that your vehicle contributes less towards pollution in the environment. This in turn helps to keep track of and regulate the amount of air pollution in major cities and towns where there is tremendous vehicular traffic.
3. How to Get a PUC Certificate?
Getting a PUC certificate is rather simple. Following is the procedure for getting your vehicle’s pollution levels checked to obtain the certificate:
Step 1: Find out the nearest pollution check center
You either go online and search for centers offering tests on pollution near your location or take a walk to any pollution check center. Centers are basically located either at petrol pumps or as standalone stations that are certified by the government with authority to issue PUC certificates.
You can find out on the internet as to which is the nearest population center from where you reside. You would mostly find this service in all the big major petrol stations fully equipped with machines that check the emission coming out of your vehicles.
Step 2: Send Your Vehicle for Inspection
After locating any pollution check center near your place, drive your vehicle to that place for its inspection. The technician at work will check whether the exhaust emission for your car or two-wheeler is within permissible limits. Even for a two-wheeler PUC, the test method is similar: sensors are placed near the exhaust for monitoring the levels of emission.
The registration number of the vehicle and the emission readings are noted, after which a certificate is issued in case the vehicle passes the test. In cases of a new bike, one should consider the validity of the pollution under control certificate for a new bike since the new bikes usually have longer validity for their first PUCs.
Step 3: Pay for the PUC Certificate
After the performance test, the technician develops a PUC certificate for your vehicle. A PUC certificate would usually range between ₹ 60 to ₹ 100, again having different prices depending on your location and the type of your vehicle. For commercial vehicles, the charges will be more.
Step 4: Get Your PUC Certificate
Once emissions are within permissible limits, the PUC certificate is issued. The certificate includes details such as the vehicle registration number, date of test, validity, and actual emission readings.
You can also request a pollution certificate download in case you want it digitally. A few of the centers offer an option of either getting the same via email or accessing and downloading through the respective state transport department website.
4. PUCC Understanding in Vehicles
A PUC in a vehicle basically stands for Pollution Under Control Certificate. This must be renewed periodically. In the case of new bikes, the pollution under control certificate for the new bike is valid for up to one year from the date of its purchase. After the first year, you must renew the PUC certificate every 6 months or as required by local authorities.
5. How to Check the Validity of Your PUC Certificate
If one does not know the exact date on which your PUC certificate expired, then you can check for a PUC online. Here’s how:
- You first go to the site at Parivahan Sewa or the transport department portal of your state.
- Then you will get the section available concerning the PUC certificate, where you can fill in the details about the registration number of your vehicle.
- The website then opens the details of the PUC certificate, which will contain the date of validity and the emission reading.
You can even get a downloaded copy of your certificate in case you lose your original. That’s so convenient, especially when you have to show it during check-ups that your vehicle has to go through.
6. Validity of Vehicle Emission Test Certificate for New Vehicle
In the case of a new bike, the first pollution certificate is valid for a duration of one year, after which you will have to get your vehicle tested again and get the certificate renewed every 6 months. Make sure to check the new bike pollution validity to avoid penalties.
7. Tips to Pass the PUC Test
Here are some useful tips that would ensure that your vehicle can sail through the pollution check without any problem:
Regular Maintenance: Regular maintenance of the car would keep the engine in decent shape. A well-maintained engine emits lesser pollutants.
Quality fuel: good quality petrol or diesel will help in reducing the rate of emissions.
Check for the Exhaust System: have your vehicle’s exhaust system checked from time to time so as to prevent any leakage and damages that may hasten the rate of its emission.
8. What If Your Vehicle fails The PUC Test?
If it exceeds the limit, your vehicle will fail the test. You must service the emission system and retake the test. Legally, you cannot drive without a valid PUC.
9. PUC Certificate of Different Types of Vehicle
Be it your car, bike, or commercial vehicle; getting a PUC certificate is a must. Following is the gist for different kinds of vehicles:
Cars: It is every six months. There is an exhaust pipe which is a sensor which does the test for the emission.
Two-Wheelers: In the case of bikes and scooters, PUC for a two-wheeler is issued after expiry of the first year from the date of its purchase. The test for smoke emission in two-wheelers is done in the very same manner as in the case of four-wheelers.
Commercial Vehicles: These usually come under stricter emission norms and hence require testing more frequently.
10. FAQs Related to PUC Certificates
10.1 What is PUCC mean?
P.U.C.C., short for Pollution Under Control Certificate, is issued to vehicles that have cleared the emission test and are within permissible pollution limits.
10.2 Where Can I Get a PUC Certificate?
A PUC certificate can be availed from any nearby pollution check center or the petrol pumps which are authorized to conduct the emission tests. A simple online search such as a pollution test near me will help identify the nearest center.
10.3 How Often Does My PUC Certificate Re-Issue?
For a new bike, the PUC certificate is valid for one year and subsequently every six months.
10.4 Can I Do a PUC Check Online?
You can also check the PUC online through the Parivahan Sewa website or your state’s transport department portal.
Conclusion:
A valid PUC certificate is necessary in order to be compliant with the government regulation, but also for the control of the pollution occurring due to vehicles. In reducing air pollution, you are vastly contributing to keeping the emissions generated from your vehicle in control and renewing the PUC certificate before its expiry. Regular maintenance of vehicles and knowledge about emission standards will bring more confidence in passing the pollution test.
If you have not checked the pollution levels in your vehicle in recent times, then rush to the nearest pollution center and have your pollution check done today!