In India, PUC certificates are a must for ICE vehicles. The owners must take their vehicles to government-authorised centres for a mandatory emission test and keep the Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate handy.
A PUC certificate has information about the carbon emissions released by a vehicle and determines whether they are within permissible limits. You can obtain a PUC certificate from any authorised testing centre, which has a six-month validity.
The certificate expires, and you’ll get a 7-day grace period to renew it. However, you also have the option to renew the PUC before it expires. Fortunately, when you purchase a new vehicle, it comes with a factory-issued certificate that remains valid for one year.
If your vehicle fails the PUC test, it indicates that it is emitting pollutants beyond the acceptable limits, causing environmental pollution. In such a situation, you must make the necessary adjustments to your vehicle to ensure that it meets the required environmental standards.
According to Section 190 (2) of The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, the Government of India has made it necessary to keep a PUC certificate for all vehicles running on an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) powertrain.
This rule was implemented to address the rising pollution levels. Authorities can levy a fine of Rs 1000 on drivers without a PUC certificate. In case of repeated offenses, the fine amount will be doubled. Also, you will need a valid PUC certificate to get an insurance policy.
To get a PUC certificate, you can visit authorised testing centres nationwide. At the centre, they will conduct a series of tests to measure your vehicle’s emission levels. Once completed, you will be issued a PUC certificate.
The Pollution Under Control certificate includes all the information regarding the test, such as the test date, emission levels of your vehicle, issue date, expiry date, and basic details of the car owner.
PUC certificates help monitor and regulate vehicle emission levels, which will contribute to reducing air pollution and protecting public health. It is a legal requirement and a social responsibility for car owners to obtain and renew their PUC certificates regularly.
