Does your car need fitness certificate? Punjab govt explains new rules

The Punjab Provincial Transport Authority (PPTA) has clarified the age limits at which private car must obtain fitness certificates, with the requirements varying according to engine capacity.

Under the reported guidelines, newer cars are exempt from fitness testing for an initial period of five to seven years after manufacture.

Once that period ends, owners must obtain a fitness certificate, which remains valid for one year.

The exemption periods depend on the vehicle’s engine size.

Cars with engines of up to 1,000cc are exempt for five years after manufacture, while vehicles with engine capacities between 1,001cc and 2,000cc are exempt for six years.

Cars with engines above 2,000cc are exempt for seven years.

After the applicable exemption period, owners must obtain certification and renew it annually, according to the reported guidelines.

The vehicle’s manufacturing date, rather than the date it was purchased, determines when the exemption period ends.

This means that buying a used car does not restart the exemption period. Owners should check the vehicle’s age and engine capacity to establish whether it requires inspection.

The guidelines do not provide a permanent exemption for any of the three engine-capacity categories.

As per the new guidelines, enforcement against vehicles required to hold fitness certificates is scheduled to begin on 15 October 2026, following a 30-day compliance period announced in September.

Owners whose vehicles have reached the relevant age threshold should check the requirements and arrange an inspection at an authorised vehicle inspection and certification centre.

The rules are intended to establish a clear timetable for fitness testing based on a car’s age and engine capacity.

Vehicle owners should consult the Punjab Provincial Transport Authority or an authorised inspection centre to confirm the requirements applicable to their cars.