Karnataka Revises Vehicle Pollution Test Fees With Stricter PUCC Rules

Karnataka has revised the charges for obtaining a Pollution Under Control Certificate, bringing changes for vehicle owners across different categories. The revised fee structure was notified by the Transport Department on August 13 following requests from pollution testing centre operators.

The previous fee revision took place in April 2022. Since then, operators have pointed to rising expenses for fuel, rent, electricity, internet services, equipment maintenance and staff salaries. These higher operating costs were cited as the main reason for seeking a revision in testing charges.

The latest move is not limited to fees. The Transport Department has also tightened the conditions that pollution testing centres must follow while checking vehicles and issuing PUCC certificates.

One of the key requirements is regular calibration of gas analysers used during emission testing. Centres must also clearly display the date of the latest calibration so that vehicle owners can see when the equipment was last checked.

Handwritten entries on PUCC certificates have also been prohibited. Certificates can be issued only when a vehicle meets the emission limits prescribed under Rule 115 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

The revised framework is aimed at making pollution testing more reliable and reducing the possibility of certificates being issued without proper emission checks. Testing centres are expected to maintain the necessary space and facilities for carrying out tests and servicing their equipment.

The validity of PUCC certificates has also been specified for different vehicle categories. For Bharat Stage IV and Bharat Stage VI vehicles, the certificate remains valid for 12 months.

Testing centre operators must additionally display their licence in a location that is clearly visible to customers. The requirements are intended to make the process more transparent for vehicle owners visiting authorised centres.

The exact revised fee payable by a vehicle owner depends on the vehicle category. The supplied notification details the fee revision but does not provide the individual category wise amounts, so those figures should be confirmed from the latest Transport Department notification or the authorised testing centre before payment.

For motorists, the changes mean that keeping a valid PUCC certificate will remain an important part of vehicle compliance, while testing centres will face greater responsibility for maintaining equipment and following prescribed procedures.