How to Get a PUC Certificate for your Vehicle

There are several mandatory documents (like a car insurance certificate) that you need to legally drive/ride a vehicle in India, and the PUC Certificate is one of them.

Every motor vehicle in India needs to undergo and clear the PUC test to comply with the rules and regulations of The Motor Vehicles Act.

If you want details, read ahead, as this article provides deep insights into the vehicle pollution certificate and the process involved in obtaining the PUC Certificate for vehicles.

What is a Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate?

The PUC Certificate stands for "Pollution Under Control Certificate" (full form).

It is a mandatory document for every vehicle owner in India. This certificate states that you can legally ride/drive a vehicle in India with respect to meeting environmental standards.

In other words, it is a validation document that states that the vehicle’s emission levels are within the permissible levels set by the government.

The PUC Certificate is issued by the authorised emission testing centres across the country.

The issuance of an emission test certificate involves a thorough examination of the vehicle’s exhaust gas, and the test results are mentioned in the vehicle pollution certificate.

How to Get a PUC Certificate

Here are the ways to get a PUC certificate for your four-wheeler or two-wheeler.

• Offline: By visiting the emission test centre

• Online: Through the VAHAN (Parivahan) portal

How to Get a PUC Certificate Offline

Here are the steps to obtain a vehicle pollution certificate offline.

• Step 1: Take your vehicle (two-wheeler/four-wheeler) to the nearest emission testing centre.

• Step 2: The testing centre operator will analyse the exhaust emission by placing the testing device inside the vehicle’s exhaust pipe.

• Step 3: The operator will generate the PUC certificate with the emission readings.

• Step 4: Pay the applicable fees and collect the pollution certificate.

You can get a PUC Certificate at the following places.

• Fuel stations across the country with emission testing centres.

• Authorised emission testing centres with computerised testing equipment.

• Licenced standalone emission testing centres.

Steps to Get a PUC Certificate Online

Here are the steps to get an online PUC Certificate.

• Step 1: Visit the vahan portal of the Parivahan website.

• Step 2: Click on “PUC Certificate”.

• Step 3: Enter the vehicle registration number, chassis number (last five characters) and verification code.

• Step 4: Click on “PUC Details”.

• Step 5: Print or download the pollution certificate.

Note that you can only get the existing (active pollution certificate) PUC Certificate by following the above-mentioned steps. You cannot renew or apply for a new pollution certificate online.

What is the Emission Test Procedure to obtain a PUC Certificate?

The following steps will explain the procedure involved in the vehicle emission test for issuing PUC Certificate. It is a simple procedure that takes only a few minutes.

• Step 1: Take your vehicle to the emission testing centre and position the vehicle as per the instructions stated by the emission testing device operator. 

• Step 2: The testing centre operator will insert a device inside the exhaust pipe.

• Step 3: Start your vehicle and rev the engine so the device can analyse the exhaust emissions.

• Step 4: The device will display the readings on the computer screen.

• Step 5: The operator will click a picture of your vehicle’s registration plate and generate the PUC certificate.

• Step 6: Pay the fees and collect the pollution certificate.

How long is your PUC Certificate valid?

The validity of the Pollution Under Control Certificate is limited, and it differs for new and old vehicles. Here are more details about PUC Certificate validity in India.

• PUC validity for a car: The new car PUC validity stands at 1 year. Post that period; you need to renew the pollution certificate every 6 months.

• PUC validity for a bike: The pollution certificate validity for a new bike stands at 1 year. Once you cross that period, the renewed PUC Certificate is valid for 6 months.

PUC certificate download Click Here

Should I carry the PUC Certificate while driving the vehicle?

Yes, you must carry a copy of the PUC Certificate (soft or hard copy) while driving the vehicle. As per the rules and regulations of The Motor Vehicles Act, the pollution certificate is a mandatory document to drive a vehicle legally in India. You can be penalised if you fail to produce the PUC Certificate during a general inspection.

Penalties for not obtaining a Pollution Under Control Certificate 

According to The Motor Vehicles Act, a PUC Certificate is mandatory to drive a vehicle in India. Not complying with the rules and regulations can attract penalties under Section 190 (2) of The Motor Vehicles Act. The penalty for not obtaining a PUC Certificate stands at Rs. 1,000 for the first-time offence. For a repeat offence, the penalty inflates to Rs. 2,000. Note that the penalties can also vary from one state to another.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Let’s look at some of the most frequently asked questions and their answers related to the PUC Certificate for vehicles.

Do I need to obtain a pollution certificate for a new car?

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Yes, you need to have a PUC Certificate for a new car. Typically, the car dealer will provide the pollution certificate when you buy the vehicle, which is valid for a year.