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Keep this Guide to Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUC) Handy

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We have just one earth, and if we don’t take care of it, no one else will! Which is why pollution has been a growing concern for quite some time. And vehicles that run on fossil fuels contribute to it majorly. Why? Well, the internal combustion engine tends to cause pollution because it burns petrol or diesel, which releases carbon in the atmosphere. However, the government regularly takes steps to ensure that vehicular pollution is kept under check. This is done by the stepped introduction of newer and tighter emission norms as well as ensuring that people get regular emission tests for their vehicles so that they don’t pollute more than the acceptable limits.

 

What is vehicle pollution certificate?

A vehicle pollution certificate, commonly known as a Pollution Under Control certificate is a document issued by authorised pollution testing centres. It is issued after testing a vehicle’s emissions and ensuring that the emissions are within the acceptable norms specified by the government. It is one of the four key documents that you must always have with you apart from your driving license, registration certificate, and vehicle insurance. And just like car insurance renewal you also need to get the pollution certificate renewed on a regular basis.

Why do you need a PUC certificate?

Pollution Under Control certificate is the proof that your vehicle is compliant with the existing emission norms applicable to your area. You need to carry a valid PUC in your vehicle and present it if demanded by a traffic police officer. The challan, in case you are not able to present a valid PUC, can be very high. In Delhi, the challan for driving a vehicle without a valid pollution certificate is Rs 2,000. Moreover, if your vehicle is found to be violating air pollution standards, like giving off dark smoke, you will have to pay a challan of Rs 10,000.

Is PUC mandatory?

As per the Section 115 (7) of Central Motor Vehicle Rules, every vehicle is required to have a valid pollution under control certificate when it is plying on a public road. And such a PUC certificate must only be obtained from an authorised testing centre.

How to get a PUC certificate?

Just like car insurance renewal can only be done from an IRDAI approved insurance company, a valid PUC certificate can only be obtained from an authorised pollution testing centre. State governments can setup authorised PUC test centres that have the necessary emissions testing equipment. You will have to take your vehicle to such a PUC centre where the staff will test your vehicle after accepting the fees set by the government. Depending upon how your vehicle performs, you will be given a pass or fail certificate. If your vehicle fails, you will have to get it serviced and tested again.

Details mentioned in the PUC certificate

A pollution under control certificate will contain multiple details related to your vehicle and its emission levels. The most important ones are:

• Identification details of your vehicle, including the registration number as well as a photo of the number plate
• The type(s) of fuel being used
• The maximum permissible levels of emissions up to which a vehicle will be considered to be in compliance with the norms
• The actual level of emissions
• Sign and stamp of the person authorised to conduct the pollution test and certify compliance
• PUC validity date

PUC testing process

For PUC testing, follow these steps:

1. Identify an authorised PUC centre near you and drive your vehicle to it
2. Present your vehicle RC and expired pollution certificate, if any
3. Pay the fee prescribed by the government for pollution testing
4. The staff will test the vehicle by inserting a sensor probe in the exhaust vent
5. If your vehicle passes, you get a pass certificate. If your vehicle fails, you need to get it serviced and tested again

The cost and validity of PUC

This will depend upon multiple factors. Generally, state governments can lay down cost and validity rules, but the central government can also pass guidelines for the same. BS4 compliant vehicles can get 1-year PUC though earlier vehicles get shorter duration PUCs. The price of PUC test will depend upon the type of fuel, so the price of PUC for a diesel vehicle will be different from that of a petrol vehicle, which will itself be different from the price for testing a vehicle with a CNG kit.

Penalties of not having a PUC

If you are caught driving a vehicle without a valid PUC certificate, you will be issued a challan of Rs 2000. A further challan of Rs 10,000 can be issued if your vehicle is found to be visibly flouting air pollution norms by emitting black smoke.

Benefits of having a PUC

Apart from the fact that when you have a valid PUC, you cannot be fined by the traffic police, you can rest assured that you are not driving a vehicle that is an ecological hazard. A Pollution Under Control certificate is necessary for proper legal compliance, so it is important that you always carry a valid PUC certificate. It can also keep your premium low at the time of car insurance renewal.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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