How to Get a PUC Certificate for your Vehicle in Tamil Nadu
How to Get a PUC Certificate for your Vehicle in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu ranks third in the country when it comes to vehicular population. With strict traffic rules in place, it is the duty of vehicle owners to properly follow them when operating their vehicles. If you want to legally operate your vehicle on the road, you need to have a number of valid documents, including a PUC certificate. Go through this article for more details on PUCC, including how to obtain it offline, the step-by-step online PUC Tamilnadu certificate download procedure, etc.
How to Get a PUC Certificate for Your Vehicle in Tamil Nadu?
A PUCC is one of the many important documents that a vehicle owner needs in order to legally drive/ride their vehicle on Indian roads without breaking rules or attracting hefty fines. In Tamil Nadu, there are two main ways one can get this certificate for their vehicle. One is through the online PUC Tamilnadu certificate download procedure, which applies to users with an existing PUCC and the other is the offline mode, which is for vehicle owners who want to obtain a new one.
What is a PUC Certificate?
The PUC certificate, also known as PUCC, stands for Pollution Under Control Certificate. It is an applicable certificate for vehicles which affirms that their emission levels are within the limits of the environmental norms as framed by the government. This certificate is issued by authorised pollution centres across the country and is only given to vehicles that go through and pass the emission test. The Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 has made having a PUCC compulsory for all vehicles on the road. A PUCC is as important as having other documents for the vehicles with you while driving/riding on the road, like the vehicle RC, driving licence, bike or car insurance, etc. Getting this certificate for your vehicle is as easy as buying comprehensive car insurance or bike insurance. The validity of the pollution under control certificate for a new vehicle is typically one year from the date of issue, after which it needs to be renewed every six months.
How to Get a PUC Certificate Online in Tamil Nadu?
If you have the question, “How to apply pollution certificate online in Tamilnadu?”, in mind, note that even though you can get new comprehensive car insurance online, you can not do the same for a new PUC certificate for your vehicle. The only legitimate way to get it is locally through an RTO-approved PUC centre. However, if you have an existing PUCC, then you can check its status or download the pollution certificate online Tamilnadu through the Parivahan Seva portal. Here’s how you can get it done;
1. Visit the Parivahan Sewa PUC portal,
2. Click on the PUC Certificate tab,
3. Provide the vehicle details, such as registration number, last 5 digits of the chassis number, etc.,
4. Enter the security code and click on the “PUC Details” option,
5. You will be redirected to a new webpage where you can view, print or download your vehicle’s existing PUC certificate.
So, the answer to the question, “How to apply pollution certificate online in Tamilnadu?”, is that you can’t. You can only download or check the status of an existing PUCC of a vehicle online through the Parivahan Sewa portal.
Steps to Get a PUC Certificate Offline in Tamil Nadu
Now, if you don’t have a PUC certificate or if your existing pollution certificate Tamil Nadu has expired, you can obtain a new one through the offline method in Tamil Nadu. To do so, you will need to follow these simple steps;
1. Locate and visit the nearest authorised PUC centre,
2. Provide the details of your car, such as the name of the vehicle owner, vehicle registration number, etc., to the individual in charge at the centre,
3. Get your vehicle through the emission test,
4. Pay the required fee to the operator.
If your vehicle’s emission levels comply with the authorised limits as per the recorded readings, only then the centre will provide a PUC certificate for it. Alongside obtaining a PUCC, don’t forget to purchase a comprehensive or third party car insurance policy for it if you haven’t already.
Emission Test Procedure to Get a PUC Certificate in Tamil Nadu
If you are unfamiliar with the vehicle emission test procedure at the authorised PUC centre in Tamil Nadu, don’t worry. The testing operator will guide you through the process. As for a general guideline, here’s what you can expect;
1. Visit the authorised emission test centre (which, most of the time, is at a local petrol pump),
2. Talk to the testing operator, provide the necessary details of the vehicle and wait in queue (if there’s any),
3. On your turn, position your vehicle as asked by the operator,
4. The testing official will then enter an analyser into your vehicle’s exhaust pipe to record the emission readings,
5. During the test, you may be asked to throttle your vehicle to trigger the fumes,
6. After this, all you need to do is pay the requisite fee and collect the pollution certificate Tamil Nadu if your vehicle passes the test.
Type of Emission Tests Conducted for Your Vehicle in Tamil Nadu
The type of emission tests for vehicles in Tamil Nadu depends on the type of the vehicle. For example;
• For Petrol Vehicles
1. Hydrocarbon (HC) Test
2. Carbon Monoxide (CO) Test
3. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Test
• For Diesel Vehicles
1. Idling CO Test
2. Smoke Density Test
• For LPG/CNG Vehicles
1. HC Test
2. CO Test
3. Soundness of LPG/CNG System
How to Check the PUC Certificate Expiry Date with HDFC ERGO in Tamil Nadu?
The HERE by HDFC ERGO is your one-stop solution for all your health, vehicle and other insurance needs, including bike or car insurance. Besides, it can also help you check the status of your vehicle’s PUCC, including its expiry date. To do so, here’s what you need to do;
1. Download the HERE by HDFC ERGO app from the app store,
2. Login with your mobile number,
3. Enter your vehicle’s registration number on the HereAuto tab (if your vehicle is not already added),
4. The details of your vehicle will then be displayed on the app,
5. Click on the “PUC” section to check its status.
Frequently Asked Questions on How to Get a PUC Certificate in Tamil Nadu
1. Is it illegal to drive a car without a valid PUCC in Tamil Nadu?
Yes. Not just in Tamil Nadu but operating a car or bike without a valid PUC certificate is not legal anywhere in India. You also need at least a third party car insurance or bike insurance for your vehicle in order to operate it on Indian roads.
2. How to locate a nearby authorised emission centre in Tamil Nadu?
To locate a nearby emission centre in Tamil Nadu, you can visit the official Parivahan Sewa website, click on the “PUC centre list” option, and enter your state and district. After this, a list of all nearby authorised emission testing centres will be shown on the screen. You can also use this website to download your vehicle’s existing pollution certificate online Tamilnadu in just a few easy clicks.
3. What is the cost of an emission test in Tamil Nadu?
The cost of an emission test for vehicles in Tamil Nadu can range from INR 60 to 150 (additional charges may apply).
Conclusion
The emissions from motor vehicles are harmful to nature and our surroundings and we should avoid operating vehicles that don’t comply with government-authorised emission norms. This is why having a PUCC for the vehicle is essential as it is not only required by the law but also works as a certification confirming that your vehicle is fit to be driven on the road.
Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.
RELATED ARTICLES
How to Get A PUC Certificate for Your Vehicle?
What Is the PUC Certificate Validity for A New Car?
How to Use the Here App to View PUC Details and Car Insurance Validity?
Vehicle Fitness Certificate for Cars a Complete Guide
Paperwork When Buying a Used Car - Everything To Know!