Fine for Driving Without PUC Certificate in 2026 (Rs 1,000 / Rs 10,000)
What is the fine for driving without a PUC certificate? Under Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, the central law allows a fine of up to Rs 10,000. In practice, the amount you actually pay depends on your state: many states compound the offence at Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000, while Delhi and Haryana list Rs 10,000 for both first and subsequent violations.
This guide explains the exact fine structure, how states differ, what happens if you are caught, and the fastest way to get a valid PUC so the fine never touches you.
Visit an authorised PUC centre
Go to a PUC testing centre, usually at a petrol pump, CNG station or service station.
Give your registration number
Hand the operator your vehicle registration number to start the test.
Run the emission test
The operator inserts a probe into the exhaust and runs the test, which takes two to five minutes.
Collect the certificate
If emissions are within limits, the certificate is issued immediately and linked to your registration number.
Pay the test fee
Pay the nominal fee, typically Rs 60 to Rs 100 for two-wheelers and Rs 100 to Rs 150 for cars.
The Legal Basis: Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act
The PUC certificate is mandatory under Rule 115(7) of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. Every petrol, diesel and CNG vehicle must hold a valid Pollution Under Control certificate (electric vehicles are exempt because they have no tailpipe emissions). You are also required to produce it when an enforcement officer asks.
Driving without a valid PUC is an offence under Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, as amended in 2019. The amendment raised the maximum penalty sharply, and the central ceiling is now up to Rs 10,000 per violation.
Fine for Driving Without PUC Certificate: State-Wise Amounts
Because states set their own compounding amounts within the central ceiling, the actual challan amount varies. Here is the verified picture as of late 2026:
| State / Situation | Fine for no valid PUC |
|---|---|
| Central law maximum (Section 190(2)) | Up to Rs 10,000 |
| Delhi | Rs 10,000 for first and subsequent violations (official traffic police penalty schedule) |
| Haryana | Rs 10,000 for first-time and subsequent offences |
| Many other states | Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 for a first lapse, higher for repeats |
| West Bengal (tiered enforcement) | Rs 2,000 first offence, Rs 5,000 second consecutive, Rs 10,000 third consecutive, plus possible 3-month licence suspension |
The honest answer, then: expect anywhere from Rs 1,000 to Rs 10,000 depending on where you are caught. Always go by the amount printed on your challan.
Repeat Offences and Additional Consequences
A PUC violation is treated as a fresh offence each time you are caught without a valid certificate. Beyond the fine itself, repeat or ignored violations can trigger:
- Suspension of your driving licence for up to three months on a first offence in some states
- Suspension or cancellation of the vehicle’s registration by the RTO until a valid PUC is produced
- A fake or tampered PUC certificate is a separate, graver offence: fines above Rs 10,000, possible imprisonment, and possible vehicle seizure
There is no grace period once your PUC expires. The moment it lapses, you are non-compliant, even if it expired yesterday.
How PUC Enforcement Works in 2026
Enforcement is no longer just a traffic policeman flagging you down. ANPR cameras at fuel pumps and on roads now read your number plate, check it against the online PUC database, and generate an e-challan automatically when the certificate has expired. Several states, including Delhi, Haryana and parts of Maharashtra and UP, have real-time PUC scanning in metro cities.
On top of that, the “No Valid PUC, No Fuel” rule active in Haryana’s NCR districts since October 1, 2026 denies fuel to vehicles without a valid PUC, enforced through ANPR cameras linked to the PUC database. Under the Supreme Court’s September 2026 order, unpaid challans can also block PUC issuance itself, so clearing pending fines comes before renewing.
How to Get a PUC Certificate in 10 Minutes
Avoiding the fine is simpler than paying it. Here is the whole process:
- Ride or drive to any authorised PUC testing centre, usually located at petrol pumps, CNG stations or service stations
- Park and give the operator your vehicle registration number
- The operator inserts a probe into your exhaust pipe and runs the emission test, which takes about two to five minutes
- If your vehicle’s emissions are within the prescribed limits, the certificate is issued immediately, usually as a digital copy linked to your registration number
- Pay the test fee, which is nominal (typically Rs 60 to Rs 100 for two-wheelers and Rs 100 to Rs 150 for cars, varying by state and fuel type)
New vehicles get their first PUC at the time of registration, valid for one year. After that, the certificate is valid for six months for BS-IV and older vehicles, and one year for BS-VI vehicles in most states. Check your validity anytime on the Vahan portal by entering your registration number. Our step-by-step guide to checking your PUC certificate online and downloading it covers the digital side.
What to Do If You Already Have a PUC Challan
- Verify the challan on the official e-Challan portal by entering your vehicle number, to confirm it is genuine and the details match
- Get a fresh PUC immediately, so no further violation accumulates
- Pay the challan online through the portal via UPI, card or net banking, and keep the receipt
- Do not ignore it. Unpaid challans now appear on your vehicle record and can block services like RC renewal and PUC re-issue
What is the fine for driving without a PUC certificate?
The central law under Section 190(2) allows up to Rs 10,000. Delhi and Haryana enforce Rs 10,000 for first and repeat offences; many other states compound it at Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 for a first lapse. Check your state’s schedule, and go by the amount on your challan.
Is there a grace period after my PUC expires?
No. There is no official grace period. Once the certificate expires, the vehicle is non-compliant immediately.
Can I get a challan for an expired PUC without being stopped by police?
Yes. ANPR cameras in many cities now auto-generate e-challans when your number plate is linked to an expired or missing PUC in the database.
Do electric vehicles need a PUC certificate?
No. Electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions and are exempt from the PUC requirement.
What happens if my vehicle fails the emission test?
You will not get a PUC until the emissions are fixed and the vehicle passes a retest. Get the engine serviced (air filter, fuel system, catalytic converter as needed) and retest.
Can unpaid PUC challans block other services?
Yes. Under the Supreme Court’s September 2026 order, unpaid e-challans can block PUC issuance, RC renewal and driving licence renewal. Clear pending challans first, then get your PUC.
