How to Get a PUC Certificate for Vehicle Online & Offline

When you buy a new car, you get a ready-made PUC certificate with it, which is valid for one year. After your new car has completed its first year, you will need to get it renewed. The new PUC certificate will be valid for 6 months. This means that you will have to get your car checked every 6 months by an authorised PUC centre if you want to keep driving it legally on the road. What is a PUC certificate? Why is it so important? And what are the legal and financial implications of driving a car with an expired PUC certificate? This article will answer all those questions for you. Read on to know more.

What is a PUC Certificate for a Vehicle?

PUC stands for Pollution Under Control. A PUC certificate denotes the carbon emissions emitted by your vehicle and whether they are within acceptable levels. To get a new pollution control certificate, you will have to go to a petrol pump or any of the authorised PUC testing centres. You will have up to 7 days after the expiry of your previous pollution control certificate to get it renewed. You can also renew your PUC certificate before your old one becomes invalid. If your car fails the PUC test, it means that your four-wheeler is contributing more to the environmental problems on a macro scale than it usually should. In that case, you might want to make relevant modifications to your vehicle to adhere to the present relevant environmental standards or get a new car altogether. It is, in fact, one of the four documents that you must always have on yourself while driving a car. A PUC certificate is as essential as your driving licence, vehicle registration, and car insurance   documents. Hence, you should always keep a soft or a hard copy of the same handy while you are driving your car. *

Is It Mandatory To Have A PUC Certificate?

The short answer is yes. The possession of a PUC certificate has been made mandatory by the Government of India under Section 190 (2) of The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988. The section states it is mandatory for all vehicles that operate on an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) to have a valid PUC certificate. Having a PUC certificate has been made compulsory by the government, as the number of vehicles being driven on Indian roads is growing exponentially every year. Because of the same, pollution levels are also rising at a rapid pace. Because of this, as a way of communicating that we have a moral obligation towards our environment, the Indian government has mandated the possession of a valid PUC certificate. * Read More: Indian Motor Vehicle Act 1988: Features, Rules & Penalties

What Are The Consequences Of Not Having A Valid PUC Certificate?

If you are caught driving a four-wheeler with an expired PUC certificate by the authorities the first time around, you will be charged a fine of ₹1000. Thereafter, you will be charged double that amount for every repeated offence. If you are caught moving around the city in a car whose PUC certificate has expired long ago, there may be legal consequences too. If you do not possess a valid pollution control certificate, you will also not be able to get a car insurance policy or even renew one. Keep in mind that the fine values or the legal consequences associated with motoring a vehicle with an invalid PUC certificate are always subject to change and may differ between states. *

Harmful Effects of Vehicle Pollution on Our Health and Environment

Vehicle pollution poses significant risks to both human health and the environment. The harmful emissions from vehicles, such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter, contribute to respiratory illnesses like asthma and bronchitis, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Long-term exposure can increase the risk of lung cancer and other chronic health conditions. Environmentally, these pollutants lead to the formation of smog and acid rain, which damage ecosystems, degrade air quality, and contribute to climate change through the accumulation of greenhouse gases. Reducing vehicle emissions through cleaner technologies and stricter regulations is essential to safeguard public health and protect our natural surroundings.

What are the Details Available in the PUC Certificate?

1. Vehicle Information: Includes registration number, engine number, and chassis number.
2. Emission Test Results: Records pollutant levels like carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and smoke density.
3. Validity Period: States the date of issue and expiration of the certificate.
4. Testing Center Details: Identifies the authorized center that conducted the test.
5. Unique Certificate Number: Provides a unique identifier for reference and verification.
6. Owner Details (if applicable): May include the registered owner's name and address.

How to Get a PUC Certificate Online and Offline ?

Here’s how you can get a Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate both online and offline:

Online:

Step 1: Visit the official website or app of your state’s transport department or authorized PUC service providers. Step 2: Register your vehicle using its registration number and other details. Step 3: Make sure your vehicle has passed the emissions test from an authorized center. Step 4: Pay the required fee online (if applicable). Step 5: Download the PUC certificate once your application is processed and approved.

Offline:

Step 1: Visit an authorized PUC center near you. Step 2: Provide your vehicle’s registration details to the center. Step 3: The center will perform the emissions test on your vehicle. Step 4: Pay the required fee for the test and certificate. Step 5: Receive the PUC certificate after successful testing, which can be printed immediately or sent to your address.

How to do PUC Certificate Download?

Online:

1. Visit the official PUC portal: Go to your state’s transport department website or an authorized PUC service provider's site.
2. Select the PUC Certificate option: Look for the 'Download PUC' or similar section on the site.
3. Enter vehicle details: Input your vehicle registration number and any required details.
4. Verify the information: Check that the details match the records of your vehicle.
5. Download the certificate: Once your vehicle passes the PUC test, your certificate will be available. Click on the download link to get the certificate.
6. Save or Print: You can save the certificate to your device or print a copy for your records.

Offline (if available):

1. Visit the PUC center where you got the test done.
2. Provide your vehicle details: Ask them to issue a digital copy of the PUC certificate.
3. Receive the certificate: If the center has an online system, they may send you a link or directly give you the certificate.

How to Renew PUC Certificate Online?

1. Visit the official PUC portal: Go to your state’s transport department website or an authorized PUC service provider’s website.
2. Log in or Register: Some portals may require you to log in with your vehicle details. If you haven’t registered, create an account using your vehicle’s registration number and other details.
3. Enter Vehicle Details: Provide your vehicle registration number and any other necessary information to retrieve your previous PUC certificate.
4. Schedule or Perform Emission Test: The portal may ask you to schedule an appointment at an authorized PUC center for an emission test. Alternatively, if the emissions test is already done, the results may be updated online.
5. Pay the Fee: After your vehicle passes the emissions test (if applicable), pay the renewal fee online using available payment methods.
6. Download the Renewed PUC Certificate: After successful payment, you can download your renewed PUC certificate directly from the website.
7. Save or Print: Save the certificate on your device or print it for your records.

The online process may vary slightly depending on the state, but these steps should generally apply.

Conclusion

It is your legal and moral obligation to get your car tested periodically and get a valid PUC certificate in its name. If you are someone who has recently got a new car that has a valid PUC certificate and is looking for a car insurance policy that will protect your car in several ways, take a look at what Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company offers. You can even compare the car insurance prices of the various options that Bajaj Allianz offers by using the car insurance premium calculator available on Bajaj Allianz’s website. Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.   *Standard T&C Apply *Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.