Carrying a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate while driving your vehicle is made mandatory in India. The certificate confirms that the emissions released from your vehicles are within acceptable limits. In Telangana there are 493 authorised emission testing centres, so it has become easy for vehicle owners to get their cars tested. The blog below unleashes different key aspects related to the PUC certificate such as ways to obtain it online and offline in Telangana, penalties for not renewing it, the importance of this certificate, its validity, and more.
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What is a PUC Certificate?
A PUC (Pollution Under Control Certificate) states that a particular vehicle conforms to the predefined emission standards. According to the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988, all vehicle owners in India should carry a PUC certificate. So, irrespective of whether you live in Telangana or other states in India, you should have this valid certificate whenever you drive your vehicle. Different emission testing centers across Telangana can issue this certificate to vehicle owners.
When the test is conducted, it analyses the concentrations of different types of pollutants to check whether the vehicle abides by the set emission standards. Remember that driving your vehicle without passing this test can result in fines, penalties, and other legal actions.
How to Obtain a PUC Certificate for Your Vehicle in Telangana
In Telangana, it is straightforward to get a PUC certificate; you can choose either online or offline mode. Steps for both these modes are described here.
1. How to Get a PUC Certificate Online
A. Through Parivahan Website
The user-friendly interface of the official Parivahan PUC website streamlines the process of checking your vehicle’s PUC certificate status and helps you find a PUC testing centre nearby.
● Steps to Follow:
Visit the Parivahan PUC Portal.
Scroll down until you find the “Other Products and Services” section and click on the “PUC” tab.
Click on the “PUC Certificate” tab.
You can now find out your current PUC certificate status. For that, you need to specify the registration number of your vehicle, the Captcha code, and the Chassis number's last five characters.
In the state drop-down menu, select the state as Telangana.
Now click on “Generate OTP,” and enter the OTP you received on your phone. Subsequently, click on “Show Details.”
Navigate down until you see the section on the PUC certificate. Click on the drop-down arrow and select an RTO-approved testing centre.
Pay the required fees via a debit card or credit card.
Reach your mentioned PUC testing centre and get your vehicle tested there.
After completion, you will get a PUC certificate directly or it will be delivered to your email.
B. Through ACKO App
It is also quite simple to use the ACKO app which allows you to check details about your PUC certificate and download it.
● Steps to Implement:
Firstly, you need to download the ACKO app to your mobile phone (if you haven't already).
From the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, download the ACKO app.
If you already have this app downloaded just log in after signing up.
Navigate to the ‘PUC’ section and click on it.
You will be asked to enter the registration number of your vehicle if you wish to check the current PUC status.
From the app, you can schedule an emission test (at an authorised PUC centre) if renewal is needed.
Finally, download and save that digital PUC certificate once the test is finished.
2. How to Get a PUC Certificate Offline
Vehicle owners can physically visit an authorised PUC testing centre to acquire a PUC certificate.
● Steps to Follow:
Using local directories or the Parivahan website, you can search for an authorised PUC centre around your region.
Before proceeding, ensure you have documents, like insurance papers, Vehicle Registration Certificate, and driver’s license.
Reach out at your preferred PUC test centre and submit your vehicle’s registration number (along with other relevant details if asked).
The testing centre operator will check the exhaust emission by inserting the testing device within the vehicle's exhaust pipe.
This test operator will generate the PUC certificate as per the emission readings.
Finally, pay the fees, and once the test finishes, you can collect your PUC certificate.
Types of Emission Tests Conducted for Your Vehicle in Telangana
In Telangana, different emission tests are conducted to ascertain that your vehicles abide by environmental standards. Brief overviews of these types are:
Carbon monoxide test: It checks for carbon monoxide emissions and measures parameters like air intake efficiency, engine efficiency, fuel combustion, etc.
Carbon dioxide test: It measures the carbon dioxide emissions to determine the impact of your vehicle on the environment.
Hydrocarbon test: It measures the unburned fuels and also checks the combustion of the fuel’s engine
Smoke density test: It analyses the black smoke released from vehicles
Idling CO test: It measures the concentration of carbon monoxide emitted during engine idling
Soundness of CNG/LPG Test: It tests for any leaks that escalate the emissions.
Emission Test Procedure to Get PUC Certificate in Telangana
You can’t get a PUC certificate for the vehicle without an emission test.
All steps involved in this test procedure are as follows.
Vehicle Checkup: A physical inspection will be performed to check the exhaust system and determine if it properly functions.
Emissions Assessments: The emission test will then be collected with a specific machine to measure the gases emitted by the exhaust pipes. The engine is revved at a certain number of revolutions per minute (RPM) to test different engine speed levels.
Result Analysis: These emissions and test results are analysed to determine if the vehicle has passed. The car passes the test if the emissions are within permissible limits.
PUC Certificate Issuance: The PUC Certificate will then be issued to you. Details like the date of testing, results, and the validity of this certificate for 6 months or 1 year are included in the certificate.
PUC Certificate Renewal in Telangana
All vehicles running in Telangana should be with a valid PUC certificate. Driving without it can lead to fines, penalties, and occasionally legal actions. Regular renewal of this certificate is crucial to guarantee compliance with emission norms and prevent penalties. Furthermore, renewing the certificate timely enables you to contribute to reducing air pollution and promoting a greener environment. Emission tests can show the health of your vehicle’s exhaust system and engine. Hence, if the test fails, you can work on corrective actions to control the release of harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
PUC Certificate Validity in Telangana
The validity of a PUC certificate in Telangana depends on the vehicle type and corresponding emission standards. The PUC validity varies by vehicle type: 1 year for new BS-IV and above vehicles, diesel three-wheelers, light motor vehicles (petrol, CNG, LPG, diesel), and medium/heavy vehicles, while it is 6 months for older pre-BS IV vehicles and petrol, CNG, LPG three-wheelers.
Importance of Maintaining a Valid PUC Certificate
In all Indian states, including Telangana, vehicle owners must have a valid PUC certificate. Driving the vehicle without carrying it can lead to consequences like fines, penalties, or vehicle impoundment. Over and above confirming legal requirements, having a valid PUC certificate is vital to contributing to a greener environment and enhancing air quality. Renewing your vehicle’s PUC certificate on time shows compliance with environmental standards while contributing to a healthier environment for everyone.
Penalties for Driving Without a Valid PUC Certificate
You may be fined up to ₹1,000.
You may face imprisonment for up to three months.
Your driving licence may get suspended for one month.
If you have an older vehicle, i.e. a petrol vehicle more than 10 years old and a diesel vehicle more than 15 years old, then there are odds of vehicle seizure.
Staying updated with your vehicle’s PUC testing schedule helps you avoid penalties while supporting cleaner air and a healthier environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common question and their answer related to PUC Certificate in Telangana
Is the PUC certificate valid all over the country?
Yes, the PUC certificate is valid all over the country.
Should I obtain a new PUC Certificate when travelling to a different state within India?
No, you don’t need to get a new PUC Certificate when travelling to another state in India. The reason is that this certificate is accepted all over India.
When should I get my vehicle tested for pollution?
You should get a PUC test conducted when you buy a new vehicle. The certificate is always provided with the vehicle purchase. Since the certificate’s validity is 1 year, you must get it certified again after it expires.
Is it compulsory to carry a PUC certificate?
Yes. It is mandatory to carry a PUC certificate in India as per the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988.
How can I get a PUC certificate faster –online or offline?
Generally, the online process is faster than the offline one since it eliminates the need to go to a centre. Hence, it saves you time and effort.
How long does the emission test typically take?
Typically, the emission test takes nearly 10-15 minutes; it varies as per the workload of the PUC testing centre.
