All About Vehicle Pollution (PUC) Certificate for Car

A Pollution Under Control certificate or PUC certificate verifies that the emissions exerted from your vehicle are within the permissible standards. It is mandatory by law, and also necessary in order to obtain motor insurance for your car. Let’s read all about what it is and how to get one.

What is a PUC Certificate?

A PUC Certificate or Pollution Control Certificate, as mentioned, is a piece of documentation that verifies that your vehicle’s emissions are within the legally permissible limits. The purpose of it is to know that a certified vehicle’s emissions are within permissible norms and therefore not harmful to the environment, and within legal limits. It is issued after the concerned car undergoes a test to determine its emission levels. The Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 determines the acceptable emission limits which are then revised by the government periodically in order to keep emissions in the country under control. The Automotive Research Institute of India (ARAI) determines the calculations of fuel consumption and the measurement of exhaust emissions.

Why is a PUC needed?

The two reasons that you need to obtain a PUC are that it is mandatory by law (and thus required to insure your vehicle) and also that it is beneficial to the environment.

• Mandatory by Law

Getting a PUC certificate is mandatory by law in order to be able to legally drive cars on Indian roads. You would be breaking the law and committing an offense by failing to obtain a PUC certificate for your vehicle. Thus, it is extremely important to obtain one. Further, getting your car insured at least up to third party liability insurance is also mandatory by law, and in order to get insurance you would also need a PUC certificate. Hence it is doubly important.

• Beneficial for the Environment

The purpose of PUC certificate is to determine that each certified vehicle would be within the prescribed legal limit of vehicular emissions. It is important therefore to make sure that your vehicle meets these requirements so as to be within the limits of harmfully impacting the environment and minimising the harm that you would be causing to the environment.

How Can You Obtain a PUC Certificate?

There are various locations where you would be able to obtain a PUC Certificate. These are as follows:

A) PUC Centres at petrol pumps or other fuel stations which can test your vehicle and issue PUC Certificates.

B) Auto emission testing centers that are licensed with computerized facilities.

C) Standalone emission testing centers.

Here is the process involved in getting a PUC Certificate at one of these locations:

1. You will need to bring your car to the concerned centre.

2. The operator will assess your car and scan the exhaust pipe to check your vehicle’s emission levels.

3. The test reading and PUC Certificate would be issued to you, after the payment of the fees.

Do You Need a Valid PUC certificate to Renew Motor Insurance?

As per IRDAI you need to have a valid PUC certificate to renew your car insurance. Having a valid PUC at the time of car insurance renewal will decrease the documentation required at the time of buying motor insurance.

Takeaway

A PUC Certificate is extremely important not only because it is mandatory by law but because of its benefits to the environment. It is easily obtainable at various pollution testing centres across the country.

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Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.