What is the PUC Certificate? What importance does it hold for a person owning a vehicle? Learn every single detail about the PUC Certificate Law in India.
Did you know what the legal mandatory requirements for your vehicle are? A valid driving license, a valid insurance coverage, Registration Certificate (RC) and of course, a PUC Certificate are the required documents, right?
Let's take a look.
- What is PUC?
- Why is a PUC Certificate Required?
- Is it Mandatory to have a PUC Certificate?
- What is the content of the PUC Certificate?
- Do you need a PUC Certificate for Car?
- Do you need a PUC Certificate for a Bike?
- How to Get PUC Certificate?
- What is the PUC Test Procedure?
- Which Vehicles Require a PUC Certification?
- When is the PUC Certification Required?
- What is the Validity of a PUC Certificate?
- What is the Cost of the PUC Test?
- What Information Does the Certificate Contain?
- What are the Test Limit Criteria?
- Where Can One Conduct a PUC Testing?
- Should You Carry the Certificate with You?
- What are the Penalties for not obtaining a PUC Certificate?
What is PUC?
PUC is an abbreviation of "Pollution Under Control". It is a certificate that is given to the vehicle after having passed a PUC test. The certificate vets that the emissions passed from the vehicles meets the pollution control standards. Under the Central Motor Vehicle Rule, 1989, a PUC certificate is a mandatory document requirement for a vehicle. Validity of PUC for new car is 1 year from the date of registration.
The PUC certificate must mention:
- the certificate serial number
- the vehicle license plate number
- the date of testing
- the expiry date
- the emission readings
In a bid to further curb the pollution in the Delhi-NCR region, Supreme court of India has passed an order in August 2017 that for insurance renewal vehicle owners will have to mandatorily furnish PUC certificates.
Why is a PUC Certificate Required?
The emissions from the vehicles emit smoke which has the potential to pollute the environment if left unchecked. As such, there must be a norm to check the vehicle emission levels to determine how safe they are and whether they contribute to air pollution. As such, the rule for undergoing a specified PUC test and obtaining the PUC Certificate was mandated by the Central Motor Vehicle Rule, 1989.
Is it Mandatory to have a PUC Certificate?
Yes, it is mandatory. As per the Motor Vehicle Act (1988) laid down by the Indian Government, you must have a PUC certificate. If a person does not have an appropriate PUC certificate, the person is liable to pay a fine of Rs. 1000/-. Moreover, you need to have an appropriate PUC certificate if you wish to renew your car or bike’s insurance policy as per IRDAI.
What is the content of the PUC Certificate?
Your car or bike’s PUC certificate contains information like:
- The PUC Certificate’s serial no. which helps in monitoring when the latest test of your vehicle was conducted.
- Test reading of the PUC
- PUC test’s date & its validity
- Vehicle’s registration no.
Which Vehicles Require a PUC Certification?
Any vehicle which is operational on Indian roads is required to carry a valid PUC certification
When is the PUC Certification Required?
When a new vehicle is purchased, a PUC Certificate is issued with the new vehicle which is valid for a period of 1 year. After that a new PUC Certificate would be required through PUC testing.
Do you need a PUC Certificate for Car?
Yes Indeed. You definitely require a PUC Certificate for your car. While conducting the PUC test, a car needs to meet the below given criteria. The car will be banned if it doesn't meet the below stated criteria.
| Car’s Manufacturing Year | Hydrocarbon (in PPM) | Carbon Monoxide (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
Car manufactured as per Pre Bharat Stage 2
along with Subsequent Norms |
750 | 0.5 |
| Car manufactured as per Pre Bharat Stage 2 Norms | 1500 | 3 |
| Car’s Manufacturing Year | Hydrocarbon (in PPM) | Carbon Monoxide (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
Bike 4 Stroke which is manufactured
post March 31, 2000 |
4500 | 3.5 |
|
Bike 2 Stroke which is manufactured
post March 31, 2000 |
6000 | 3.5 |
|
Bike 2 & 4 Stroke which is manufactured
post March 31, 2000 |
900 | 4.5 |
| TYPE OF VEHICLE | % OF CO |
HYDROCARBON
MEASURED IN PPM |
|---|---|---|
|
2 and 3 wheelers (2/4 - stroke) manufactured
on or before 31st March 2000 |
4.5 | 9,000 |
|
2 and 3 wheelers (2 - stroke) manufactured
after 31st March 2000 |
3.5 | 6,000 |
|
2 and 3 wheelers (4 - stroke) manufactured
after 31st March 2000 |
3.5 | 4,500 |
|
4 wheelers manufactured according to
Pre Bharat Stage II Norms |
3 | 1,500 |
|
4 wheelers manufactured according to
Pre Bharat Stage II, Stage III or subsequent Norms |
0.5 | 750 |
What Information Does the Certificate Contain?
The basic information mentioned on the PUC Certificate would be the:
- The serial number of the certificate
- The license plate number of the vehicle tested
- The date of test
- The date of expiry of the Certificate
- The test readings
Should You Carry the Certificate with You?
Just as a valid Driving License is required when you are driving a vehicle, the vehicle's PUC Certificate is also required and should be kept with the vehicle. These documents can be demanded anytime by policemen and should be shown to escape penalty.
What are the Penalties for not obtaining a PUC Certificate?
- We all know that one can be fined if he or she isn't carrying a vehicle insurance policy with them. It's the same for a PUC Certificate.
- A person can be liable for respective prosecution under section 190 (2) of the Motor Vehicle Act if he or she isn’t carrying the PUC certificate.
- Rs.1000/- will be charged as a fine for any 1st time offence. However, Rs. 2000/- will be charged for repeat offence.
So, now you know what a PUC Certificate is and what it means. Ensure that your vehicle has a valid PUC Certificate and take the PUC test every time the certificate expires. It is mandatory, legal and would also save the environment which you live in!
