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PUC Certificate in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Under Rule 115 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, all motor vehicles (except electric vehicles) must have a valid PUC certificate while driving in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A valid pollution under control certificate indicates that your vehicle's emissions are within the government-set permissible limits. This write-up explains the validity of the certificate, the costs involved, any penalties, and how to check or renew your PUC certificate in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

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How Important is Having a PUC Certificate for Vehicles in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

You must have a valid PUCC while driving in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands due to the following reasons:

  1. Legal requirement to avoid penalties: Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act empowers traffic police to seize vehicles operating without valid pollution certificates. The traffic personnel will also issue a challan for an invalid/expired PUCC.Read more

  2. Required to renew insurance smoothly: IRDAI issued a directive in July 2018 requiring all general insurance companies to verify PUCC validity before renewing motor insurance policies.

  3. Environmental protection: Vehicles emit smoke regardless of age or condition. Regular emission testing keeps overall pollution levels in check.

How to Obtain a PUC Certificate in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

Getting your pollution certificate in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands follows a simple process given below:

  1. Open the Parivahan website, click on "PUC Centre List", and select "Andaman and Nicobar Islands" from the state dropdown. The list displays authorised testing centres near you.

  2. Drive your vehicle to any authorised centre. These operate at select fuel stations and Regional Transport Office (RTO) locations. Park as the technician directs.

  3. A gas analyser measures your exhaust emissions. The technician then verifies if the levels of pollutants remain within the prescribed limits.

  4. Vehicles passing the test receive certificates immediately. Pay the testing fee, and the certificate gets uploaded to the VAHAN database for digital access.

What is the Validity of PUCC in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

For newly purchased vehicles, the PUCC is valid for 1 year. After one year, you must renew the certificate every six months. According to Rule 115(7) of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, the PUCC validity for vehicles with BS-IV or BS-VI emission standards is 1 year, irrespective of the vehicle's age. For vehicles with BS III emission standards or older, the validity of a PUC certificate is six months.

How to Download a PUC Certificate Online in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

The Parivahan portal maintains digital records of all PUC certificates issued. Downloading your PUCC hardly takes two minutes and involves the following steps:

  • Visit the Parivahan portal at puc.parivahan.gov.in and locate the "PUC Certificate" option on the menu bar.

  • Enter your vehicle registration number. Add the last five digits of your chassis number in the next field.

  • Type the captcha code displayed on screen. Click "PUC Details" to proceed.

  • Your certificate details appear on screen: validity status, expiry date, emission readings, PUC number, and testing centre information.

  • Click the download option to save a PDF copy. Store it on your phone for quick access during traffic checks.Read more

What are the Charges for PUCC in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

Currently, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands don't have an established network of CNG vehicles. For other types of vehicles, the charges for obtaining a PUC certificate are listed below.

Vehicle Type Approximate Fee Range
Two-wheelers ₹60
Three-wheelers ₹80
Four-wheelers(Petrol) ₹80
Four-wheelers(Diesel) ₹100
Bigger/commercial Vehicles ₹130 to ₹150

Source: Local authorised PUC centre

Actual charges at testing centres may differ slightly. Confirm the exact fee when you visit an authorised PUC centre in Port Blair or Car Nicobar.

Where Can I Get a List of PUC Centres in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

Follow the steps below to locate the list of PUC centres in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

  • Visit the Parivahan portal at puc.parivahan.gov.in
  • The homepage displays a "PUC Centre List" link in the top navigation menu. Click it.
  • A dropdown menu appears. Select "Andaman and Nicobar Islands" from the list.
  • The portal filters results to show the active PUC testing centres in the Andaman Islands. Each centre includes full address details and the vehicle types it can test.
  • You can further filter the results by selecting your jurisdictional RTO.
  • The portal also offers a PDF download option. Save the list for offline reference when planning your visit.

What is the Penalty for Driving Without a PUCC in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

Under the Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, driving without a valid PUCC attracts the following penalties.

Offence Type Penalty
First offence ₹1,000
Second or subsequent offence ₹2,000

Is PUCC Required for Vehicle Insurance in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

Yes. As per the IRDAI's recent circular, insurance companies must verify the validity of a PUC certificate before renewing the motor insurance policy. However, in another circular, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) also clarified that an invalid PUC certificate cannot be the sole reason for rejecting or delaying an accidental claim.

FAQs

Can we drive without PUC?

No. According to the Motor Vehicle Act,1988, you must have a valid PUC certificate while driving to avoid penalties.

What to do if the PUCC has expired in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

You must get a new PUC certificate immediately to avoid the challan. Take your vehicle to an authorised PUC testing centre for emissions testing.

Why is PUC mandatory for all vehicles?

A PUC certificate is mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. It ensures that the vehicles' emissions remain within the government-prescribed limits and do not contribute excessively to air pollution.

How to obtain a PUC certificate online in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

You can't get a new PUC certificate entirely online. Physical vehicle inspection is mandatory for certificate issuance. However, you can download an existing certificate online from the Parivahan portal.