How to Get a PUC Certificate for a Bike?

What is PUCC in Bike?

A PUC (Pollution Under Control) certificate for a bike is a mandatory document in India that proves your two-wheeler's exhaust emissions meet government-approved pollution standards. It is issued only after checking Carbon Monoxide (CO), Hydrocarbon (HC), and smoke levels at authorised PUC testing centres, usually located at petrol pumps.

The certificate is essential for legally riding your bike, renewing your two wheeler insurance, and avoiding hefty traffic fines. You can also download or verify it online through the Parivahan portal.

Simply put, A PUC certificate is an official document that confirms your bike is emitting pollutants within the permissible limits. This certificate is issued by authorised emission-testing centres across the country after your vehicle undergoes an emission test by asking the following key details:

• Your bike's registration number
• PUCC validity
• Emission levels recorded
• Certificate number

Is PUC Mandatory for Bikes?

Yes, the PUC certificate is mandatory for all two-wheelers in India, regardless of whether they are new or old, and whether they run on petrol or diesel. You must always keep a valid PUC with you while riding. Even if your bike is brand new, you still need a PUC certificate after the first year.

This certificate plays a crucial role in monitoring vehicle emissions, helping to control air pollution. According to the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, it is essential to drive legally on roads and have a valid bike insurance renewal, along with a PUC Certificate, at all times.

Why is a Pollution Certificate for Bike Important?

• It helps in reducing air pollution.
• It shows your bike is well-maintained.
• It helps in avoiding traffic fines.
• It is mandatory for compliance during traffic checks.

How to Get a PUC Certificate in India?

You can obtain a PUC Certificate in India through both online and offline channels. The detailed steps for both are listed below:

1. Offline Method

You can obtain a PUC Certificate offline by visiting authorised emission testing centres. The following are the steps that you need to follow:

Step 1: Take your two-wheeler to the nearest emission-testing centre in your locality.

Step 2: The operator of the testing centre will analyse the exhaust emissions by placing the testing device inside your two-wheeler's exhaust pipe.

Step 3: After analysing the emissions, the centre operator will generate the PUC certificate using the emission readings.

Step 4: Finally, pay the applicable fees and collect the pollution certificate.

NOTE: You can obtain a PUC Certificate offline at various locations, including fuel stations with emission testing centres, authorised emission testing centres equipped with computerised testing equipment, and licensed standalone emission testing centres.

2. Online Method

You can obtain the pollution certificate of your bike online via the VAHAN or Parivahan Sewa portal. It involves the following steps:

Step 1: Visit Parivahan's official website.

Step 2: Hover on the 'Online Services' and click on the 'PUCC' option from the drop-down list.

Step 3: On the new page, click on the 'PUC Certificate' tab available on the top menu bar.

Step 4: Enter your bike's registration and chassis numbers (enter the last five characters), and enter a security code in the image.

Step 5: Click on 'PUC Details'.

Step 6: Print or download the PUCC for your bike.

What is the Emission Test Procedure to Get a PUCC?

The emission test procedure for issuing a PUC Certificate for your bike includes the following steps:

• Step 1: Ride your bike to the emission-testing centre and position your bike as instructed by the operator.
• Step 2: The operator will insert a device into the exhaust pipe of your motorcycle to analyse emissions.
• Step 3: Start your bike and rev the engine to analyse the exhaust emissions.
• Step 4: You can read the emission readings on the computer screen.
• Step 5: The operator will generate the PUC certificate upon satisfactory results.
• Step 6: Pay the required fees and collect the pollution certificate.

Different Types of Tests for Vehicles and Their Emission Measurement

The tests for different types of vehicles are:

• For Petrol Vehicles: The common tests for petrol vehicles include the carbon monoxide (CO) test, hydrocarbon (HC) test, and carbon dioxide (CO2) test.
• For Diesel Vehicles: The Diesel vehicles undergo a Smoke Density Test and an Idling CO Test.
• For CNG Vehicles: CNG/LPG vehicles are subjected to CO Test, HC Test, and checks for the soundness of the CNG/LPG system.

Pollution Certificate Fees for Bikes

The charges for obtaining a PUC Certificate vary based on the type of vehicle and the type of fuel. Typically, the cost ranges from ₹60 to ₹100. This price might differ from one state to another.

How to Check the PUC Certificate Status Online?

To do a bike pollution check, you must follow these simple steps:

• Step 1: Go to the Parivahan website.
• Step 2: Under the 'Online Services' menu, select the 'PUCC' option.
• Step 3: Enter your vehicle's registration number and chassis number in the required fields. Then, type the security code for verification.
• Step 4: Click on the 'PUC Details' button to view the PUCC status.

What is the Process of PUC Certificate Renewal?

To renew your PUC certificate, you must visit the nearest emission-testing centre. Notably, online PUCC renewal is impossible as your bike has to undergo an emission test. The process is quite simple, and you will get the renewed certificate within 1 day.

What is the Bike Pollution Certificate Download Process?

To download the PUC certificate online, visit the VAHAN portal. Here are the steps you will follow to download it:

• Step 1: Go to the VAHAN portal (official website of PARIVAHAN Sewa).
• Step 2: Click on 'Online Services' in the top menu bar and click on 'PUCC'.
• Step 3: Click on the 'PUC Certificate' tab on the next page and enter your vehicle details, such as registration number, last 5 characters of the chassis number, and security code.
• Step 4: Now, click on the 'PUC Details' option.
• Step 5: In the next step, you will be redirected to PUC for bike details. You can download or print the certificate from here for your convenience.

How to Find RTO-approved PUC Centres?

You can easily find RTO-approved PUC centres online through the Parivahan portal. Follow the steps below:

• Step 1: Visit the official Parivahan website.
• Step 2: Click on the 'Online Services' tab, and select the 'PUCC' option from the list.
• Step 3: On the next page, click on the 'PUC Centre List' tab available on the top menu bar.
• Step 4: Choose your respective 'State' & 'Office' from the drop-down menu, and the list of the RTO-approved PUC testing centres available in your location will be displayed.

PUC Certificate Rules and Regulations in India

Below are the rules & regulations related to the PUC Certificate in India:

• The permissible emission levels are determined under Rule 115 (2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
• The acceptable level of emission is subject to change based on government directives to control pollution levels.
• The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) is the body that gives directives related to exhaust emissions, their limits, and any updated regulations.
• All the PUC Certificate-related norms and formats remain the same all over the country. However, the price or cost to issue a certificate might vary depending on the type of vehicle and fuel type.
• The testing centre has the right to reject the renewal application in case the vehicle fails the PUC test.
• The registration authority has the right to suspend the Registration Certificate (RC) of your bike and other permits in case the vehicle is non-compliant with the pollution norms. However, the authority has to provide the reasons for suspensions in writing to the vehicle owner.

NOTE: These rules & regulations are subject to change as per the law.

Penalty or Challan for Not Having a PUC for Bike

Under Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, not having a valid PUC certificate for your bike can result to hefty challans. The fine is ₹10,000 for both first-time and subsequent offences in the capital city of India.

NOTE: The challan or fine for driving without PUCC might vary between states.

What is Included in the PUC Certificate?

In India, the Pollution Under Control Certificate contains the following contents:

• Serial Number:The PUC Certificate serial number refers to a unique number given to each certificate to track and identify it.
• Details of the Vehicle: The PUCC contains the vehicle's details, including registration number, make, model, etc.
• Date of the Emission Test: It contains the date on which the emission test was conducted, and the date on which PUCC was issued.
• Validity: Usually, the validity period ranges between 6 months to 1 year, which is mentioned in the certificate.
• Emission Test Readings: The PUC Certificate contains the readings of the emission test factors, such as CO, HC, etc. These details help track and verify the authenticity of the certificate.

What is the Validity of the PUC Certificate for the Bike?

The validity of the Pollution Under Control Certificate varies for new and old two-wheelers. The certificate is valid for 1 year for new bikes, while for older bikes, it is valid for 6 months.

What are the Permissible Levels for New Bikes?

Take a glance at the table below to get a view of the permissible levels for new two-wheeler pollution certificates in India:

What are the Permissible Levels for Old Bikes?

Check out the table below to get a view of the permissible levels for old two-wheeler pollution certificates in India:

Carrying the PUC Certificate While Driving

It is mandatory to carry a copy of the PUC Certificate and valid third-party bike insurance while driving. Failure to produce the certificate during inspection can lead to penalties as per the Motor Vehicles Act.

FAQs - PUC Certificate for Bikes