Karnataka Raises Vehicle Emission Test Fees, New PUC Rates Take Effect
Karnataka has increased vehicle emission testing fees after several years, raising costs for two wheelers, cars, autos, trucks and buses across the state.
Vehicle owners across Karnataka will now have to pay more for pollution testing after the state government approved an increase in emission certificate fees.
The revised charges apply to different categories of vehicles, including two wheelers, autorickshaws, cars, diesel vehicles, trucks and buses. The increase comes after several years without a revision in testing charges.
The decision follows a request from the Karnataka Emission Testing Centre Owners Association, which approached Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy seeking a revision in fees. Operators cited rising expenses such as rent, electricity bills, fuel costs and employee salaries as reasons for seeking higher charges.
Association representatives have argued that running emission testing centres has become considerably more expensive and that the fee revision was needed to keep the centres financially viable.
The change is expected to affect a large number of vehicle owners. Karnataka has more than 3.5 crore registered vehicles, while Bengaluru alone accounts for more than 1.3 crore vehicles, according to the figures cited in the report.
Keeping a valid Pollution Under Control certificate is mandatory for vehicles under the applicable rules. Depending on the vehicle and its requirements, owners need to complete emission testing at prescribed intervals.
The certificate is also important beyond routine compliance. Driving without a valid emission certificate can lead to penalties, while the absence of required documents may create problems during vehicle related procedures. It can also become a concern when dealing with insurance claims following an accident.
The government’s share from each emission test has also increased. Previously, testing centres were required to pay Rs 3.25 to the government for each test, while the amount has now increased to Rs 13.80.
The fee hike has not gone down well with many vehicle owners. Some motorists argue that they are already dealing with rising household and transport expenses and that having to pay more for periodic emission testing will add another recurring cost.
Testing centre operators, on the other hand, maintain that the revision reflects the higher cost of providing the service. The new charges are now applicable across Karnataka, putting the revised emission testing rates into effect for vehicle owners.
