As a direct reaction to the rising awareness of the dangers of air pollution around the world, several countries have enacted progressively more stringent restrictions aimed at reducing the emissions produced by motor vehicles. To determine whether or not the levels of emissions that are produced by motor vehicles are following the law, it is required that every vehicle be subjected to an inspection. Besides, one must have bike insurance to be able to ride legally.
A Pollution Under Control certificate, often commonly referred to as a PUC certificate, will be issued to a vehicle when it has shown that it has completed the test. This is done to ensure that the vehicle does not in any way contribute to the pollution of the air when it is being driven on the roads.
PUC certificates might be different for each vehicle class. By reading this article, you will get further information about the pollution certificate for bikes, the pollution certificate for cars, and the pollution certificate for heavy vehicles. You will also find information on the application process and the fines levied on automobiles that do not reach the limitations for emissions.
What is a PUC Certificate?
A PUC certificate is applicable to vehicles with internal combustion engines(ICE). It contains the details of various emissions released by your vehicle's engine, which is like a snapshot of all the airborne gases and particulate matter that gets ejected from the engine when the test is conducted.
Read more - Why is a PUC Certificate Important for Your Two-wheeler?
What Details are Recorded When a PUC Certificate is Made?
Depending on the state where the PUC certificate is made, the design and details of certain aspects may change, but for the most part, the basic information will remain the same across all the PUC certificates issued in India.
Following is the information provided in a PUC certificate:
1. Vehicle Registration Number
This is your vehicle's unique registration number after successfully passing the test from the Regional Transport Office(RTO). It is usually a ten-digit alpha-numeric code.
2. Vehicle Chasis Number
This is the unique chassis number of your vehicle. The manufacturer assigns it while the chassis rolls out of the production line. It is usually a 17-digit alpha-numeric code.
3. Vehicle Engine Number
This is the unique engine number of your vehicle. It is usually an 11-digit alpha-numeric code, with an "M" for four-stroke petrol engines, an "O" for two-stroke petrol engines, and "D" for diesel engines.
4. Manufacturer of the Vehicle
This tells you who manufactured your vehicle and what model it is (for example, Honda, Maruti, Tata, etc.).
It may also include the country where the manufacturer was based (for example, Japan, India, etc.).
5. Model of the Vehicle
This tells you what type of car or motorcycle it is (for example, Alto 8008WL, Maruti 8008WL, etc.). You can also find this information on a sticker inside your car or the frame near the engine!
If you can't find this information anywhere else, assume it's an 8-digit model number (e.g., Alto 8008WL).
Note: Some vehicles have two model numbers - one for Europe and one for Asia/ other parts of the world - so be careful to check both numbers!
6. Engine Stroke
This tells you whether your vehicle has a two-stroke or four-stroke engine.
7. Date of Vehicle Registration
This tells you the date your vehicle was first registered with the government.
8. Emission Norms
These tell you the emission standards that your vehicle must meet to be legally driven on Indian roads. The government sets these norms and can change them from time to time. Some of the emission norms strictly followed in India are BS-series like BS1, BS2, and so on. BS6 is the latest norm all Indian Vehicle manufacturers have to follow. You can get away with older vehicles for the road as long as the emissions are under the legal norms. BS in BS6 stands for Bharat Stage 6.
Note: If your vehicle doesn't meet the current emission standards, it may not be allowed to drive on Indian roads.
9. Date and Time of Testing
This tells you when and where the PUC centre conducted its tests on your vehicle. It will also include the PUC's testing machine model number, serial number, and name (for example, "PUC-2").
Note: The test result in this certificate is only valid for that specific date and time.
10. PUC Equipment Details
The PUC testing machine will be specified in the certificate. The PUC certificate will also specify the model number, serial number, and name of the manufacturer of the machine certificate.
11. PUC Testing Centre Details
The PUC certificate will mention the name and address of a particular PUC testing centre. The code assigned to the centre is also given in most certificates issued by agencies that work under the RTO.
12. Photo of the Vehicle with the Visible Number Plate
The PUC certificate will include a vehicle photo with the visible number plate on the certificate.
13. Test Result and the Validity of the Test Result
The certificate will list both the test result and its validity. The validity period of a test result is usually specified on the certificate.
Conclusion
When getting a PUC certificate for your vehicle, it is important to be aware of the various details included in the document. The most important thing to remember is that the PUC certificate is only valid for the specific date and time it was issued. Also, keep your PUC certificate safe as it will contain valuable information about your vehicle's emissions.
Read more - Valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate is Mandatory to Renew Your Two Wheeler Insurance Policy
