PUC validity for new cars: Understanding emission compliance requirements

According to the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, the PUC (Pollution Under Control) Certificate is an essential document that you should have for your vehicle. The Government of India has made its renewal mandatory to control pollution caused by car fuel emissions. If you are unaware of your PUC certificate validity, you may miss its renewal process. To put your confusion at bay, this article discusses PUCC validity and how to get a PUC certificate. Read on!!

Information that your PUC carries

The PUC or Pollution Under Control Certificate of your car carries these information:

• Car's registration certificate

• The serial number of the PUC certificate of the new car

• Emission test certificate date

• PUC expiry date

Validity of PUC certificate

Since motor vehicles are significant contributors to global warming, the government has set some guidelines regarding their usage and ageing. A PUC certificate is an essential document that measures a car's emission level at periodic intervals. It is generally mandatory from the first day of driving a new car, and the PUCC validity is one year.

Then, you will have to apply for the renewal of the PUC certificate at periodic intervals. This way, you can check your car's emission level. If your car's emission test level report shows a poor level, it is most likely that its PUC validity will be reduced.

How to obtain a PUC certificate?

Follow these step-by-step procedures to obtain a PUC certificate for your car:

• Look for fuel stations with emission test centres

• The authorised operator will examine your car and the exhaust system using computerised emission testing equipment

• Once the examination is done, the operator will issue a PUC certificate with validity

• Please make the PUC certificate fee payment. You may have to pay INR 60 - INR 100

• You will receive a PUC certificate

• If the operator rejects your four-wheeler's PUC application because of its high emission level, you should take your car to a service station as soon as possible.

How to download the PUC certificate online?

Go over the following steps to download the PUC certificate:

• Head over to the official website of the Parivahan Sewa for the PUC certificate

• Then, go to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for a PUCC validity certificate

• Enter your details in the given columns for downloading the PUC certificate

• Input your car's registration number

• Then, enter the chassis number etched on your four-wheeler (enter its last five characters)

• Enter the security code given on the screen to verify your identity

• Then, click on the PUC details option.

• You will be able to view the complete details of your PUC certificate, including its validity and expiration date.

• Download the certificate and take its printout.

Conclusion

The PUC certificate for a car, just like its registration certificate and your car insurance policy, is a mandatory document. You should keep in mind its validity. Visit government-approved emission centres at periodic intervals for renewal.