Karnataka PUC Certificate Charges Hiked From August 15: Check New Fees for Two-Wheelers, Cars, Diesel Vehicles

Vehicle owners in Karnataka will have to spend more on obtaining Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates from August 15, 2026. The state Transport Department has revised the charges for emission testing carried out at authorised computerised PUC centres, with the new rates applying to two-wheelers, auto-rickshaws, petrol, LPG and CNG cars, as well as diesel vehicles.

Karnataka PUC Test Fees Revised: Check New Rates for Two-Wheelers and Cars

Under the revised fee structure, the charge for testing a two-wheeler has increased from Rs 65 to Rs 80. For auto-rickshaws, the fee has moved up from Rs 75 to Rs 80. Owners of petrol, LPG and CNG-powered cars will now have to pay Rs 150 for the test instead of Rs 115, while diesel vehicle owners will be charged Rs 200 compared with the previous Rs 160.

The revised rates have been notified by the Karnataka government following a proposal submitted by the Transport Commissioner and Commissioner for Road Safety. The move came after the Karnataka Emission Testing Centres Owners' Association requested an upward revision, pointing to rising expenses involved in operating and maintaining pollution testing facilities.

New PUC Rates Apply Only to Emission Testing Charges

The government has introduced the revised charges under Rule 231-B(13) of the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The updated rates relate specifically to the emission test required for issuing a PUC certificate and do not cover unrelated services that may be offered by testing centres.

Under Rule 115 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, a vehicle can receive a PUC certificate only when its emissions meet the applicable prescribed limits. This makes accurate testing and reliable equipment an important part of the certification process.

What Motorists Should Check at PUC Centres

Vehicle owners should use only authorised computerised emission-testing centres when obtaining or renewing their PUC certificates. Before completing the process, motorists should also check that the centre is using the prescribed equipment and that the certificate has been generated correctly.

PUC certificates should not contain handwritten alterations. Testing centres are also required to employ qualified personnel and maintain their emission-testing equipment properly. Gas analysers must undergo periodic recalibration, with details of the latest calibration required to be displayed at the testing facility.

Centres are also expected to have sufficient space for vehicles to enter, undergo testing and exit safely. These requirements are intended to make the testing process more reliable while ensuring that emission readings are recorded accurately.

The validity period of a PUC certificate can depend on the vehicle and the applicable emission standards. In general, PUC certificates are issued for a limited period and need to be renewed when they expire. Vehicles complying with BS-IV and BS-VI emission standards may be eligible for longer validity, subject to the applicable rules.

Motorists should therefore check the expiry date printed on their current certificate rather than relying on a fixed assumption about when renewal is due.

Higher Cost, Same Mandatory Compliance

For individual motorists, the increase in PUC charges ranges from Rs 5 for auto-rickshaws to Rs 40 for diesel vehicles. While the additional amount may appear relatively small for a single vehicle, the impact can be more noticeable for commercial operators and businesses managing several vehicles.

Auto-rickshaw drivers, taxi operators, delivery businesses and small logistics companies may have to account for the higher testing charges as part of their recurring vehicle expenses.

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