Whether you own a two-wheeler, three-wheeler, or four-wheeler, the vehicle must comply with environmental norms defined by the Indian government. Suppose you are in Uttarakhand or other states. In that case, it is mandatory to get a Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate that validates that a specific vehicle’s emissions don’t exceed the permissible limits. As per the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988, vehicle owners must carry all their essential documents regarding the vehicle, including a PUC certificate. The following section narrates the main steps involved in getting a PUC certificate, information about its validity, renewal, emission test procedures, and other important details.
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What is a PUC Certificate?
In India, all car owners are required to have the PUC (Pollution Under Control Certificate). It ensures you can legally ride your vehicle in the country and fulfil environmental norms. This document is a kind of validation document confirming that the emissions from your vehicle don’t exceed the acceptable levels. A PUC test operator will issue this certificate after thoroughly examining your vehicle’s exhaust gas.
Although the process to obtain this certificate is primarily offline, you can still check its status and download it online once the test has been conducted. Whether in Uttarakhand or other states, you should carry this document and thus contribute to a greener environment.
How to Obtain a PUC Certificate for Your Vehicle in Uttarakhand
For any kind of vehicle you own (petrol or diesel-based vehicle), a PUC certificate is necessary. You can either opt for offline or online mode to get this certificate in Uttarakhand, and the underlying steps are here:
1. How to Apply for a PUC Certificate Online
A. Through Parivahan Website
Finding an authorised PUC test centre, determining the PUC certificate status, and downloading this certificate is easy through the official Parivahan website.
● Steps to Follow:
Go to the Parivahan PUC Portal.
Find the “Other Products and Services” section on the homepage and click the PUCC tab.
Click on the “PUC Certificate” tab.
This step lets you check your PUC certificate's status; simply specify your vehicle's registration number, the chassis number (the last five characters), and the Captcha code.
Click on PUC details, after which you will be asked to choose a state. Select “Uttarakhand” from the drop-down list.
To get the OTP on your phone, click the "Generate OTP" button. After entering the OTP, select "Show Details."
Select an RTO-approved testing centre from the drop-down list once you've scrolled to the "PUC certificate" section.
Use a debit or credit card to pay the required costs.
After completing these steps online, you must take your vehicle to your selected PUC testing centre.
After the test operator performs the test, your vehicle will be issued a PUC certificate or mailed.
B. Through ACKO App
Checking the status of your vehicle’s PUC certificate is simplified through the ACKO app. The underlying steps are:
● Steps to Implement:
If your device doesn’t have the ACKO app, download it.
Log in to the app by specifying your registered phone number.
Click on the “check PUC” section after which you must enter your vehicle number to know its PUC status and certificate validity.
Go to the selected test centre to let them test your vehicle.
Pay the applicable fees and collect the PUC certificate.
2. How to Get a PUC Certificate Offline
The steps involved in obtaining a PUC certificate offline are:
First, you must browse the Parivahan website or local directories to find an authorised PUC centre nearby.
Reach the particular testing centre with your vehicle and some important documents like your vehicle’s insurance papers, driver’s license, and registration certificate.
You may have to specify your vehicle’s registration number in this step.
The test operator at the PUC centre will carry out an emission test to measure the levels of pollutants.
The operator will generate the PUC certificate based on the emission readings shown on their display.
Pay the mentioned fee and then collect the PUC certificate.
Types of Emission Tests Conducted for Your Vehicle in Uttarakhand
Diverse types of tests conducted by a PUC test centre in Uttarakhand for your vehicles are:
Carbon dioxide test: It measures the proportion of carbon dioxide emissions and then analyses the vehicle’s impact on the environment.
Carbon monoxide test: It identifies the level of carbon monoxide emissions and then measures parameters like fuel combustion, air intake efficiency, and engine efficiency.
Hydrocarbon test: It measures the unburned fuels and also checks the combustion of the fuel’s engine.
Idling CO test: It determines the level of carbon monoxide emissions during the engine’s idle state.
Smoke density test: It measures the black smoke emitted from vehicles.
The soundness of CNG/LPG Test: The test analyses any damage or leaks in your vehicle's engine to determine whether such leaks increase the emissions.
Emission Test Procedure to Get PUC Certificate in Uttarakhand
Passing an emission test is inevitable to obtain a PUC certificate for a vehicle in Uttarakhand. The required steps to follow are:
Go to the emission testing centre with your car.
You need to place that vehicle as the emission testing device operator suggested.
The operator will now insert testing equipment within the exhaust pipe.
Ignite your vehicle to allow the test device to evaluate the exhaust emissions.
The device will subsequently display the readings on a computer screen.
Subsequently, the test operator will capture a picture of your vehicle’s registration plate and generate the PUC certificate.
Lastly, you need to pay the fees and collect the PUC certificate.
PUC Certificate Renewal in Uttarakhand
Keeping the emissions from your vehicle in check is vital to ensure the vehicle’s engine is in good health. If the emission levels exceed the standard limit, the contributing factors can be ineffective engine components, inefficient combustion, and clogged filters.
By renewing your vehicle’s PUC certificate promptly, it becomes simpler to address those issues, after which your vehicle continues operating efficiently. Besides, if you renew the certificate promptly, you can help spread awareness regarding the advantages of controlling vehicular emissions.
PUC Certificate Validity in Uttarakhand
The validity of the PUC certificate in Uttarakhand is 1 year from the date of issuance of the vehicle. For new BS-IV and above vehicles, diesel three-wheelers, light motor vehicles (petrol, CNG, LPG, diesel), and medium/heavy motor vehicles, the PUC validity is 1 year. For older pre-BS IV vehicles and petrol, CNG, and LPG three-wheelers, the validity is 6 months.
Importance of Maintaining a Valid PUC Certificate
To determine whether your vehicle is contributing to air pollution, it is necessary to maintain a valid PUC certificate. If vehicular emissions exceed permissible limits, then it is vital to employ corrective steps. After addressing the relevant issues, your vehicle will continue working efficiently and release reduced environmental pollutants. You may face significant fines and penalties if you don’t promptly maintain a valid PUC certificate in Uttarakhand. Hence, regularly maintaining your vehicle’s PUC certificate is crucial to ensure compliance with environmental norms and avoid paying penalties.
Penalties for Driving Without a Valid PUC Certificate
Driving without a valid PUC in Uttarakhand can result in a fine of up to ₹1,000.
In some cases, your driving license may be suspended for one month.
Older vehicles (diesel vehicles over 15 years and petrol vehicles over 10 years) may be confiscated.
These penalties ensure compliance with emission norms and encourage vehicle owners to help reduce pollution.
Regularly updating your vehicle’s PUC certificate helps you avoid penalties and supports cleaner air and a healthier environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions and their answer related to PUC Certificate in Uttarakhand
How much does it cost to obtain a PUC certificate?
Although the price varies, depending on the type of car, it often falls between ₹30 and ₹100.
How shall I find a PUC testing centre near my home?
Authorised centres are easily located through the local RTO office or the Parivahan website.
Do I have to carry a physical PUC certificate while riding?
Carrying a physical copy of your PUC certificate while riding your vehicle is mandatory. Make sure the certificate is valid and not expired.
Why is it compulsory to obtain a PUC certificate in India?
In India, obtaining a PUC certificate is mandatory to ensure vehicle emissions meet pollution norms for all vehicle owners, per the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988.
Can I renew my PUC Certificate online?
You must visit a testing centre for the PUC test and pay the fees to renew your certificate. The process cannot be completed entirely online.
How can I download my PUC certificate?
After testing, you can download your PUC certificate from the Parivahan website by entering your vehicle details. If misplaced, ensure the certificate is still valid before downloading it.
