Independent guide by India Customer Care · Not the Parivahan government website · We never ask for your licence number, vehicle number, Aadhaar or OTP. Official services: parivahan.gov.in
PUC Certificate: Validity, Online Check, Cost and Fine
A PUC (Pollution Under Control) certificate is needed once your vehicle is one year old from first registration. It is valid for 6 months, or 12 months for BS-IV and BS-VI vehicles. Get it at an authorised PUC centre (often at a fuel station); the result goes into the national VAHAN records, and you can download it online. Driving without one can cost up to ₹10,000.
- First needed
- 1 year after registration
- Validity
- 6 months (12 for BS-IV, BS-VI)
- Cost
- Set by each state
- Check online
- VAHAN PUC service
- Fine
- Up to ₹10,000 (section 190(2))
On this page
When do you need a PUC, and how long is it valid?
BS-IV or BS-VI vehicle
First PUC one year after registration. After that, each certificate is valid for 12 months. If you're not sure which emission norm your vehicle meets, ask the PUC centre or your dealer.
Older vehicle (BS-III or earlier)
Each certificate is valid for 6 months.
The rules are in rule 115(7) of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules; the Ministry set the uniform format in June 2021 (G.S.R. 410(E)).
How do you get a PUC certificate?
YouPUC centre / VAHANFee
- Drive to an authorised PUC centre, often at a fuel station
- Pay the state-fixed fee before the test and give the owner's mobile number
- The centre tests the exhaust
- Within the limits?No: you get a rejection slip; repair and retest
- You get the certificate with a QR code; it is saved on VAHAN
✔ You'll know it worked when you get the certificate and an SMS, and the PUC shows as valid on VAHAN.
How do you check or download your PUC online?
- Open the PUC certificate service on vahan.parivahan.gov.in/puc.
- Enter the registration number, the last 5 characters of the chassis number, and the captcha.
- If the PUC is valid, download or print the certificate.
Carry the certificate in the vehicle, as rule 116 requires you to show it when asked. The national register also lets officers check it on the eChallan system.
How much does a PUC cost?
Each state fixes the fee, so it differs from state to state. You pay it at the PUC centre before the test.
The PUC centre shows its rates.
What is the fine for not having a PUC?
- PUC offences are usually charged under section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act: up to ₹10,000 and/or 3 months, and a 3-month licence disqualification for a first offence. Your state's challan amount may be lower.
- If an officer directs you in writing to get the vehicle tested and you don't, the RTO can suspend the RC until a valid PUC is produced.
- Delhi: a Delhi Environment Department direction of 22 April 2026 says fuel is to be given only on a valid PUC.
What can go wrong, and how do you fix it?
| Your situation | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle failed the test | Emissions above the limits | Keep the rejection slip, get the vehicle serviced, and test again. |
| Centre's machine seems faulty | A device problem | Take the rejection slip to another PUC centre. |
| PUC not showing online | Not yet synced, or not issued in the national system | Ask the centre that issued it; then your state transport department. |
| No SMS from the PUC centre | An old mobile number on VAHAN | Update the mobile number. |
| Fuel refused in Delhi | No valid PUC | Get tested at the fuel station's PUC centre. |
Frequently asked questions
Does a new vehicle need a PUC?
Not until one year after it was first registered.
How long is a PUC valid?
6 months, or 12 months for BS-IV and BS-VI vehicles.
What is the fine for no PUC?
Up to ₹10,000 under section 190(2), and a possible 3-month licence disqualification. State challan amounts can be lower.
Can I download my PUC online?
Yes, from the PUC service on VAHAN with your registration and chassis numbers.
What happens if my vehicle fails?
You get a rejection slip. Repair the vehicle and test again.
Is a digital PUC valid?
The rules allow it in electronic form, and the record is on VAHAN. Carry the paper or a downloaded copy as well.
Sources
- PIB – PUC certificate standardised (22 Jul 2021): validity, G.S.R. 410(E), advisory (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- PIB – common PUC format (17 Jun 2021): QR code, rejection slip, RC suspension (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- Delhi Environment Department – direction of 22 Apr 2026: fuel only with a valid PUC (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- India Code – Motor Vehicles Act, 1988: section 190 (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- All India Radio – no PUC, no fuel in Delhi (Dec 2025) (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
- Delhi Traffic Police – traffic violations and penalties: without PUC, section 190(2) (accessed 25 Oct 2026)
Page history: 25 Oct 2026: first published. 25 Oct 2026: sources limited to government websites.