What Is the PUC Certificate Validity for A New Car?

Posted on: Jun 6, 2023 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

What Is the PUC Certificate Validity for A New Car?

Buying a new car usually comes with a ton of excitement and the new car feels. The feeling and emotions can be overwhelming if it is your first car. However, there are a few essentials that you need to take care of. To be able to drive your car legally, you will need new car insurance , a registration certificate of the car, PUC for new cars, and your driving licence.

The chances are high that you will get new car insurance from your car dealer. However, you must be aware of the PUC certificate, the need for it and when you should renew the certificate.

Driving around without a valid certificate can lead to penalties, which is the last place where you would want to spend your money. And it only takes a few minutes and approximately Rs. 100 to get a PUC certificate for your vehicle, which is much better than paying the penalties.

Importance of a PUC certificate

PUC, or pollution under control, is a certificate that all vehicles must have. The government has come up with a guideline on the acceptable emission levels for different vehicles, depending on their engines. The certificate denotes the emission levels of your vehicle and whether they are within acceptable limits.

Getting a PUC certificate is even more important than ever. As the government is pushing towards a greener tomorrow with the eventual aim of being carbon neutral, the certificate is crucial. A vehicle that does not meet the acceptable range is highly likely to do more damage to the environment. Also, the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988 mandates all vehicle owners to have the certificate on them always.

Validity of a PUC certificate

The PUC certificate essentially contains the emission level of a car. As a car gets older or due to wear and tear, the emission levels only increase. Thus, the emission tests must be conducted at regular intervals. A standard certificate is valid for a duration of 6 months. On the completion of the 6-month duration, you must renew the certificate.

PUC for new cars is valid for a one-year period. When you purchase a new car, you need not worry about emission tests till the completion of the first year. Post which, you will need to take your car for emission tests once every 6 months.

Where should I do emission tests for PUC?

PUC for new cars is not needed since a document comes with the new car. However, for other cars, you must visit an authorised emission centre to test your vehicle. A considerable number of emission test centres are available in fuel stations across the country. Apart from that, there are a few other standalone testing centres and some mobile testing centres as well.

However, it is recommended to complete your tests from authorised PUC centres only. If you want to identify authorised testing centres, here is how you can do that.

• Visit the Vahan website.

• Select PUC Centre List option from the menu.

• Enter your state of residence and select the nearest RTO.

The website will then return all the RTO-approved PUC testing centres. The list contains the PUC centre code, the authorised name of the centre, the complete address of the centre and the different types of vehicles that they support.

Consequences of not having a PUC certificate

There are quite a few reasons to get a PUC certificate. Not having the document will have a lot of consequences. Here are some reasons why you must get a certificate.

1. Insurance Renewal:

When you want to renew your comprehensive insurance , insurance providers will ask for a PUC certificate. If you fail to furnish the certificate, you might find it difficult to renew the policy.

2. To avoid Penalties:

Since the law mandates all vehicle owners to have a PUC certificate, not having one will lead you to be fined by the traffic police department. Lack of a certificate is one of the most common reasons for a fine.

3. Cleaner environment:

A vehicle that adheres to the emission levels set by the government is less likely to cause serious damage to the environment. If the readings are too high for a vehicle, adequate measures must be taken. Otherwise, it can have detrimental effects on the environment.

Renewing car insurance for new cars:

As is the case with the PUC certificate, the comprehensive insurance of a new car will also get expired at the end of the first year. Though you will still have third party car insurance coverage, it might not be enough to protect your car.

Third party car insurance offers protection against damages and injuries to third parties. It also alleviates you from any legal liabilities that arise from such situations. However, if there are any damages to your car, the policy will not cover those expenses. To ensure complete protection of your car, it is recommended that you opt for a comprehensive plan. Though the premium of the policy is higher than a liability-only policy, it does offer a lot more coverage and benefits. To save money and a considerable amount of time, you can renew the policy online.

Conclusion

On buying a new car, you will need new car insurance, which is usually provided by the dealership. Similarly, the new car also has a PUC certificate that is valid for up to a year. On the completion of the year, you must renew the certificate once every 6 months. If you are not too sure about identifying authorised testing centres, you can use the above steps to find the nearest centre.

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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