The Indian government has made the PUC certificate mandatory for all vehicles running on the roads. This means that apart from a vehicle registration certificate, driving license, and bike insurance policy, you need a PUC certificate to drive legally. Failing to produce this document can result in a penalty from authorities. Not only that, the insurer may decline to renew your bike insurance without a PUC certificate. Non-renewal of the bike insurance policy leads to further fines by the traffic police if they catch you without a valid policy paper on the road. Besides, you risk financial wobbles in case of an accident or vehicular damage without a valid bike insurance policy.
In this post, let us discuss the PUC test and certificate in detail and see how you can get one for your vehicle and ensure safety on all fronts.
What is a PUC Certificate?
In response to the increasing global pollution levels, countries have started taking various steps to lower emissions from motor vehicles. A PUC test and certificate is an effort made by the Indian government.
According to the rule, all two-wheelers and four-wheelers should pass an emission test to comply with the emission norms set by the authorities.
PUC stands for Pollution Under Control, a government-issued certificate after testing your vehicle’s emission levels. A PUC certificate proves that your bike or car has emission levels within the stipulated norms.
This is verified through an emission test conducted at national testing centres. Every citizen of India must always carry a valid emission certificate for his bike.
So, How Can You Get a PUC Test and Certificate for Your Bike in India?
You can get a PUC test for your vehicle at any government-authorized PUC centre or RTO. You can follow an online or offline method to receive your PUC certificate. Here is how you can proceed to obtain it.
Offline
You can get your bike checked for emission levels at one of the following:
- Licensed emission centres with computerized facility.
- Fuel stations or petrol pumps with PUC centres across the country.
- Standalone emission testing centres.
To get your PUC certificate, take your vehicle to the nearest testing centre where the operator will use a device to scan the exhaust pipe and check the vehicle’s emission levels. Once you pay the fees, a certificate is issued along with the test reading.
Online
Only RTOs and authorized emission testing centres can receive PUC certificates online. However, you can use the online Parivahan platform to access various transport-related services, including the download and status of the PUC certificate.
To download your Pollution Under Control certificate,
- Visit the PUC section on the online portal and enter your vehicle details like registration number and chassis number as asked on the form.
- Next, enter the captcha and press ‘PUC details’
- If your vehicle has an active PUC, you are taken to a new page displaying its emission test result. You can download and print the certificate online through the option.
Finding an Authorized PUC Center
You can log on to the Parivahan Sewa Portal to find a list of authorized centres in different states, their details like address and phone number, and the types of vehicles they test. An authorized PUC centre is where the vehicles are checked for emission levels.
Contents of a PUC Certificate for Your Bike
A PUC certificate contains details like:
- The registration number of your bike.
- The serial number of the certificate.
- The date of the emission test.
- The date the certificate expires.
- Emission test reading for the vehicle.
Validity of PUC Certificate
The emission levels of vehicles can vary depending on their age. Therefore, getting your two or four-wheeler tested for pollution levels at regular intervals is mandatory. The validity of a PUC certificate varies for old and new vehicles.
A PUC test certificate validates a newly purchased bike for one year. After one year, your vehicle must be tested for emission levels every six months to get a new certificate.
For old vehicles, the validity is six months. Every vehicle should be tested for pollution levels every six months, and a new certificate should be obtained. However, some places in India have a different time frame for PUC validity.
Benefits of Getting a PUC Certificate
Apart from being a mandatory document, carrying a PUC certificate has several other benefits. Take a look at them.
Care for the Environment
By testing for your vehicle's emission levels and ensuring that they are within stipulated limits, you are being a responsible individual and showing concern for the earth and the environment.
Read more - Make Your Bike Smart and Eco-Friendly with These Simple Hacks
Awareness of the Vehicle Condition
As you get your vehicle tested every six months, you get to know the pollution levels of your bike. If you see that the levels are high, you can get it checked with a mechanic to find out what's gone wrong. It helps you maintain your vehicle’s condition and extend its lifespan.
Mandatory for Insurance
The IRDAI has mandated the requirement of an emission certificate during the bike insurance renewal process. This means, your insurance company can ask for a valid Pollution Under Control certificate and other documents when renewing your insurance policy.
Law Compliance
By obtaining a PUC certificate, you are adhering to the law of the Indian government and can avoid any fine associated with a rule violation. Apart from a valid license and third-party bike insurance coverage, this remains the most critical document before hitting the streets.
Conclusion
Adhering to the norms laid down regarding a PUC test and certificate for your bike shows your responsible side in the first place. That responsible behaviour further results in letting your bike insurance coverage continue should you face any untoward incident involving your two-wheeler. So, get a PUC test and certificate on priority and renew the same as required.
Read more - Why is a PUC Certificate Important for Your Two-wheeler?
