PUC Certificate: PUC stands for Pollution Under Control. The certificate of PUC is given to the vehicle owner after his/her vehicle is been tested with pollution control. This is proof that the car or a bike run by the owner is pollution-free and is not causing any damage to the environment. This is a mandatory document a person with the vehicle should keep in hand, which traffic police can ask anytime. The certificate is usually provided online by RTOs, nearby petrol pumps, licensed PUC centers, to get more details on that visit Parivahan Seva Portal.
A standard emission level for motors is allowed by many countries, to deal with the rise in pollution across the world. The vehicles running in all those countries have to undergo the emission test, under this rule, regulated by the officials. After the vehicle has passed the test, the person is provided with a PUC certificate. Hence, such vehicles ensure that they are pollution-free and are safe to run on public roads.
There will be different PUC certificates for different types of vehicles, that shall be applied for. Read here on how to apply for different PUC certificates, where to apply for PUC, what is the application fees, and what is the fine imposed if the vehicle fails in emission test as per the regulated rules.
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Details of PUC Certificate
Before we read about how to get the PUC certificate, let us collect a few more details about it.
A PUC certificate is also known as Pollution Test Certificate. This is a proof, approved by the government, that your vehicle has been tested for emission level and is found to be in order with the official emission standards.
Under the Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1989, the owner of the vehicle must carry the PUC certificate, at all the times, while driving on the road, as per the guidelines regulated by Ministry of Transport. If not done so, a penalty charge will be imposed on the driver of the vehicle or the owner of the vehicle, which he/she has to pay to the traffic police.
A PUC certificate will carry the following information:
- Registration number of vehicle
- Serial number of PUC certificate
- Date of emission test
- Emission level reading
- Validity
How to Apply for PUC certificate?
If the vehicle is newly purchased, the dealer usually provides the PUC certificate which is valid for 1 year. Later that, the vehicle owner has to apply for PUC certificate from nearby center. A PUC center could be a petrol bunk, a private emission test center and a licensed auto emission testing center. To apply for PUC certificate follow the below steps:
- Go to the nearby PUC center
- Check with your exhaust pipe and get it tested by the executive of the center to check the emission level of the vehicle
- After being tested, the executive will inform you of the vehicle is pollution free as per the standard norms or not.
- The PUC certificate will later be provided after paying the necessary fee to the center.
Download PUC Certificate Online
To download the PUC certificate online is an easy procedure. The vehicle owner can get the PUC certificate online after applying for it through any of the PUC center, via Paraivahan Seva Portal. Follow the steps here to download the document.
- Go to the official website of pariwahan seva portal (https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in/puc)
- Click on the link given for PUC certificate
- Mention your registration number, 5 character Chassis Number, followed by a security code
- Click on PUC details
- You will get the PUC certificate on the screen. Print and download the certificate and keep it safe.
PUC Certificate Status Online
To check the application status of applying as a PUC center to issue the certificate, online, follow the below steps:
- Go to the official website of pariwahan seva portal (https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in/puc)
- Click on link mentioned as “Application status”
- Mention your application ID, followed by a security code
- Click on “View Application Details”
- The status of your application for PUC certificate will appear on your screen
To check the status of your vehicle if it comes under the Pollution Under control certificate, follow the below steps:
- Go to the official website of pariwahan seva portal (https://vahan.parivahan.gov.in/puc)
- Click on the link given for PUC certificate
- Mention your registration number, 5 character Chassis Number, followed by a security code
- Click on PUC details to get the status
PUC Certificate Validity
The validity of PUC certificate differs for different types of vehicles. It also differs with the age of vehicles. Therefore, it is mandatory to get the vehicle checked for pollution under control, as per the government rules at regular intervals. Henceforth, keep the renewed or updated PUC certificate while driving or else it could lead to penalties.
For new vehicles, the dealer will provide the PUC certificate which will be valid atelast for a year. Later the vehicle owner has to apply for renewal of the certificate. For old vehicles, the PUC certificate is valid for 6 months. But the validity could vary based on the condition of vehicle.
Pollution Under Control Standards
| Vehicle Type | % of Carbon Monoxide | Hydrocarbon measured in PPM |
| 2 and 3 wheelers (2/4 – stroke) manufactured on or before 31st March 2000 | 4.5 | 9000 |
| 2 and 3 wheelers (2 – stroke) manufactured after 31st March 2000 | 3.5 | 6000 |
| 2 and 3 wheelers (4 – stroke) manufactured after 31st March 2000 | 3.5 | 4,500 |
| 4 wheelers manufactured according to Pre BS II Norms | 3 | 1,500 |
| 4 wheelers manufactured according to Pre BS II, Stage III or subsequent Norms | 0.5 | 750 |
FAQ’s on PUC certificate
Question 1.
What is PUC certificate?
Answer:
PUC certificate is a proof or a document issued by the Indian government when the emission level of the vehicle is tested and is found to be in accordance with the emission standards by officials. It is mandatory for all the vehicle owner who are driving on the roads.
Question 2.
What details are mentioned in PUC certificate?
Answer:
Registration number of vehicle, Serial number of PUC certificate, Date of emission test, Emission level reading and Validity of PUC certificate.
Question 3.
What is the validity of PUC certificate?
Answer:
For new vehicles, the dealer will provide the PUC certificate which will be valid atelast for a year. Later the vehicle owner has to apply for renewal of the certificate. For old vehicles, the PUC certificate is valid for maximum for 6 months, depending on the emission condition of vehicle.
Question 4.
What is the fees to apply for PUC certificate?
Answer:
The fees of PUC certificate depend on the type of vehicle and fuel used in it. The fees usually ranges from Rs.60 to Rs.100 for different types of vehicles such as bike, car, truck, etc.
Question 5.
What is the penalty for not have PUC certificate?
Answer:
If the vehicle owner is driving the vehicle on the road without PUC certificate, the person could be penalised with Rs.1000 for the first time. If the PUC certificate is expired and has not been renewed then the vehicles owner will be imposed with Rs.2000 penalty.
Question 6.
How to get the PUC certificate?
Answer:
The vehicle owner can get the PUC certificate from nearby PUC centers such as petrol pumps, licensed PUC centers and also from RTOs.
Question 7.
Is PUC a mandatory document?
Answer:
Under the Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1989, the owner of the vehicle must carry the PUC certificate, at all the times, while driving on the road, as per the guidelines regulated by Ministry of Transport.