Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate:
The Supreme Court recently abolished its own directive issued in 2017 that made a valid pollution under control (PUC) certificate mandatory for renewal of third-party insurance policy.
- Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate often referred to as the pollution certificate, is a mandatory document for every vehicle owner in India.
- This certificate states that you can legally ride/drive a vehicle in India with respect to meeting environmental standards.
- It is a validation document that states that the vehicle’s emission levels are within the permissible levels set by the government.
- All vehicles on Indian roads are required to possess a valid PUC certificate under the Central Motor Vehicles Rule 1989.
- Usually, a new vehicle is exempt from PUC in the first year. Following this, the vehicle has to undergo mandatory PUC tests at regular intervals to get a validity certificate.
- A PUC certificate is usually valid for a year from the date of issue.
- Failure to produce a PUC certificate can invite a fine of up to Rs 10,000 or six months of imprisonment or both under the Motor Vehicle Act.
- The vehicle owner may also be disqualified from holding their licence for three months.
- If the vehicle is found to be emitting fumes beyond the prescribed limit, despite possessing a valid PUC certificate, the certificate will be cancelled.
- The vehicle owner will have to obtain a new PUC certificate within seven days.
- The PUC certificate rule is applicable to CNG-powered vehicles in addition to petrol and diesel vehicles.
