PUC Certificate Online – Air pollution is increasing alarmingly, so the Government of India has made it compulsory for all vehicle owners to go through the pollution check and get a PUC Pollution Under Control Certificate under the Central Motor Vehicles Rule, 1989. In this article, we will discuss all the important aspects of the PUC Certificate of Vehicle.
What is PUC Certificate of Vehicle?
PUC stands for ‘Pollution Under Control Certificate’ issued by the testing center and approved by the Pollution Control Board. The purpose of a PUC Certificate of Vehicle is to ensure that the specific vehicle is not emitting harmful pollutants into the air. The PUC test is to check the carbon emission of a vehicle and identify if it follows the standard pollution regulation.
This certificate states that you are allowed to drive the test verified vehicle in India, as you meet the set environmental standards. The PUC specifies that your vehicle does not release any hazardous gasses.
PUC Certificate Full Form
PUC Certificate Full Form is Pollution Under Control Certificate. It is mandatory to get a PVC Certificate for a vehicle in India.
Is it mandatory to have a PUC?
Yes, if you own a vehicle in India, whether a two or four-wheeler, you must have a Pollution Under Control Certificate. In some cases, you may be given a notice to get the Pollution Under Control Certificate within a prescribed time, but in case of failure to get it, you may have to bear severe consequences. If you do not have a PUC or have an expired one, the police can seize your vehicle and also levy a fine as prescribed by the rules. The penalties vary state by state, ranging from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 10000 and even more. Hence, it would help if you always carried a valid PUC while driving.
You may also be issued a notice to get your certificate within a specified period. If you are not able to get it, your vehicle may be impounded.
How long is the PUC (Pollution Under Control) Certificate Valid?
The PUC Certificate of Vehicle is valid for one year, after which it has to be renewed every six months. When you purchase a new vehicle, you need not worry about emission tests till the completion of the first year. After that, you will need to take your vehicle for an emission pollution check once every 6 months.
Renewal of PUC (Pollution Under Control) Certificate
A PUC has to be renewed every 6 months after the first year. A Pollution Under Control Certificate is valid nationwide and can be renewed from any state. Being the vehicle owner, you can visit any authorized emission testing center to renew the PUC Certificate issued in another state.
PUC Certificate Application Fee
Though the fee for a Pollution Under Control Certificate may vary from state to state, generally, the fee applicable for a PUC Certificate Online is as follows:
| Class of Vehicles | Fee (Rs.) |
| Two wheelers | Rs. 50-80/- |
| Three Wheelers | Rs. 80-120/- |
| LMV (Light Motor Vehicle- four wheeler) | Rs. 120-140/- |
| HMV (Heavy Motor Vehicle- four wheeler) | Rs. 140-180/- |
Is it mandatory to have a PUC Certificate for all vehicles?
Since all fuel-operated vehicles emit harmful gasses such as carbon monoxide, it is essential to monitor their emission levels. Hence, according to the Central Motor Vehicle Rule of 1989, the PUC certificate is mandatory for all vehicles that run on petrol or diesel. However, Electric vehicles do not require a Pollution Control Certificate (PUC).
Which Pollutants are Tested in a PUC Test and the Limit to Which they are Allowed?
A PUC (Pollution Under Control) test is also known as an emission test or smog check. It is conducted to measure the level of pollutants emitted by a vehicle. However, the specific pollutants tested may vary slightly depending on the region and the applicable regulations. Generally, the following pollutants are commonly tested for in a PUC test:
- Carbon monoxide
- Nitrogen oxides
- Hydrocarbons
- Particulate matter
During the emission test for the PUC Certificate, a vehicle’s emissions are measured and compared to the standards set by the State Pollution Control Board. The limits for each pollutant may also vary across various states. However, the general limits for each pollutant are as specified below:
- Carbon Monoxide (CO): 4.5 Grams per Kilometer (g/km)
- Nitrogen Oxides (NOx): 60 Parts per Million (ppm)
- Hydrocarbons (HC): 150 ppm
- Particulate matter (PM): 100 Micrograms per Cubic Meter (5g/m3)
A PUC is issued only if the emissions are within the acceptable limits.
PUC Certificate Online Application
You can apply and obtain a Pollution Under Control Certificate only in offline mode. Following are the steps one should follow to get a PUC Certificate Online for two, three, or a four-wheeler:
Step 1: Visit the official website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India; click on this link https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/.
Step 2: On the homepage, click on the “Online Services” button or Scroll Down and then select “PUCC”.
Step 3: On the next page, click on the “PUC Centre List” button.
Step 4: Select the State and District and then click on the “Search” button.
Step 5: A list of all the authorized PUC Centres in that District will be shown on your screen, along with the address for all PUC Centres. Most of the Petrol Pumps have an authorized PUC Centre.
Step 6: Visit your nearest PUC center and ask them to make a Certificate for your vehicle. Their executive will conduct the emission test on your vehicle and record all the data of your vehicle’s registration number.
Step 7: Once your vehicle has passed the emission test, they will provide you with your PUC Certificate. You can get a hard copy from there or directly download it from the official website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, by clicking on this link https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/.
PUC Certificate Download Process
You cannot make your PUC Certificate Online, but you can always apply offline and download it online later on. If you have applied for a PUC certificate offline, follow the steps given below to download it from the official website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India:
Step 1: Visit the official website of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India by clicking on this link https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/.
Step 2: Click “Online Services” on the homepage and select “PUCC.”
Step 3: Go to “PUC Certificate” on the next page.
Step 4: Enter your vehicle Registration Number (RC number) and Chassis Number in the given space. Enter the Captcha Code shown on your screen and click on “PUC Details.”
Step 5: Your PUC Certificate details will be shown on your screen. You can download the Certificate and save it for further use. You can also take a printout if you need to.
Tips you should keep in mind while applying for a PUC Certificate
- Ensure your vehicle is in good condition when applying for a PUC certificate. Check your vehicle thoroughly before you take it to the PUC testing center.
- Keep all the required documents with you and take them along to the PUC testing center.
- Keep some cash handy to pay the certificate fee.
FAQs
Q. Is it possible to get a PUC certificate online?
Ans. No, getting a Pollution Under Control Certificate online is impossible. It is because only the RTOs – the Regional Transport Offices or the authorized emission testing centers have the authority to issue a PUC certificate after a successful emission test of your vehicle.
Q. Can we renew PUC after expiry?
Ans. PUC certificates must be renewed immediately after expiry. If the PUC certificate is not renewed, you may have to pay the penalty and renewal fees.
Q. Can the PUC (Pollution Under Control) Certificate be renewed online?
Ans. No, the PUC (Pollution Under Control) Certificate cannot be renewed online. For renewal of the PUC Certificate, your vehicle must undergo an emission test; you must take your vehicle to the nearest emission testing center, where you can renew the PUC offline after the emission test is done.
Q. Can a PUC Certificate be renewed in another state?
Ans. Yes, a Pollution Under Control Certificate is valid nationwide and can be renewed from any state. The vehicle owner can visit any authorized emission testing center for the renewal of the PUC Certificate issued in another state.
Q. What is the average cost of PUC in India?
Ans. The cost of a PUC Certificate for two, three, and four-wheelers varies as per the state. The average cost for two and three vehicles varies between 50-80 and 80-120 rupees. For four-wheelers, the average cost is between 140 and 180 rupees in India.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed all the important aspects of Pollution Under Control – PUC Certificate of Vehicle. Hope you find this article useful. For more such informative content, keep visiting our website. You can also join our WhatsApp group and Telegram channel for all the latest updates.
