EPA Punjab Notification 2025 – Cars & LTVs Under 3 Years Old Exempted from Vehicle Emission Testing (ETS)
In a major move to streamline environmental regulation, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab has officially issued a notification exempting motor cars and light transport vehicles (LTVs) that are not older than three years from mandatory emission testing.
The order, referenced as No. 263/PA/DG/EPA/2025, was signed by Dr. Imran Hamid Sheikh (PAS), Director General EPA Punjab, and is effective immediately across the province.
This decision aims to focus resources on high-polluting vehicles while reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens for compliant, newer automobiles.
📰 Background of the Policy
The Punjab government, through the EPA, has been implementing the Vehicular Emission Testing System (ETS) as part of its drive to control air pollution and smog levels in major cities such as Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and Rawalpindi.
Under this system:
- All vehicles were required to pass an emission test and obtain a green sticker.
- Vehicles failing the test were fined or directed to repair their engines and exhaust systems.
- The EPA launched public awareness campaigns and testing booths across Punjab.
However, data gathered during the initial phase of implementation revealed that newer vehicles (less than 3 years old) consistently passed emission tests without significant issues.
📜 Summary of the Notification
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Order No. | 263/PA/DG/EPA/2025 |
| Date Issued | 05 June 2025 |
| Issuing Authority | Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab |
| Signed By | Dr. Imran Hamid Sheikh (PAS), Director General EPA Punjab |
| Legal Basis | Section 6(1)(t) of the Punjab Environmental Protection Act 1997 |
| Effective From | Immediate |
| Exemption Applies To | Motor Cars & Light Transport Vehicles (LTVs) not older than 3 years (Model 2022 onward) |
| Previous Reference | Order No. 240/PA/DG/EPA/2025 (dated 16 April 2025) |
| Purpose | To optimize emission testing resources and reduce public inconvenience |
🎯 Purpose of the Exemption
EPA Punjab analyzed the emission data of thousands of vehicles and discovered that:
- Cars and LTVs manufactured within the last three years have negligible exhaust emissions.
- These vehicles already comply with Pakistan’s PEQS (Punjab Environmental Quality Standards) when maintained according to manufacturer guidelines.
- Requiring such new vehicles to undergo the same testing process as older or poorly maintained vehicles created unnecessary administrative load and public inconvenience.
Therefore, the exemption ensures that:
- Resources and inspection teams are focused on high-emission vehicles (older than 3 years).
- Vehicle owners of compliant cars are spared from redundant procedures.
- The emission control policy remains targeted, efficient, and citizen-friendly.
🌬️ Environmental and Practical Reasons
- Scientific Evidence:
New vehicles are designed with advanced catalytic converters and fuel-efficient engines that emit far fewer pollutants. - Administrative Efficiency:
By excluding low-risk vehicles, the EPA can speed up emission checks for older vehicles that cause real smog and pollution. - Public Convenience:
Shorter queues, reduced waiting times, and fewer repeat visits at testing booths. - Better Data Monitoring:
Focused testing helps EPA collect accurate data on high-emission sectors for future policy planning. - Support for Smog-Free Punjab Campaign:
The step complements the province’s Smog Mitigation Action Plan 2025 by optimizing environmental enforcement.
⚙️ Implementation Plan
The order took immediate effect from June 2025 and applies across all cities of Punjab under the EPA’s jurisdiction.
Key Implementation Points:
- All vehicles manufactured in 2022, 2023, or 2024 are exempted from mandatory emission testing.
- EPA field teams and testing stations have been directed to verify the vehicle’s model year through registration records before applying the exemption.
- Vehicles older than 3 years must still undergo testing and obtain the green sticker to prove compliance.
- Enforcement officers are instructed to inspect the sticker or registration model year during random roadside checks.
- The exemption does not apply to commercial heavy vehicles, buses, or transport fleets, which are still required to undergo regular testing.
🚗 Vehicles Still Subject to Testing
| Vehicle Type | Testing Required |
|---|---|
| Motorcycles | ✅ Yes |
| Rickshaws / Chingchi | ✅ Yes |
| Cars older than Model 2021 | ✅ Yes |
| Commercial LTVs (Taxis, Vans) | ✅ Yes |
| HTV / Heavy Trucks | ✅ Yes |
| Diesel Buses / Pickups | ✅ Yes |
| Cars 2022 or newer | ❌ Exempted |
💰 Emission Testing Fee (for older vehicles)
| Vehicle Category | Testing Fee (PKR) |
|---|---|
| Motorcycles | 100 |
| Rickshaw | 300 |
| Cars up to 1000 cc | 500 |
| Cars > 1500 cc | 1000 |
| HTV / Heavy Vehicles | 2000 |
(Fee notification by EPA Punjab, May 2025)
🏢 Departments Involved in Enforcement
- EPA Punjab — Policy formation, technical inspection, testing centers.
- Transport Department — Vehicle verification and road checks.
- Traffic Police Punjab — On-road enforcement and fines for non-compliance.
- District Administrations — Coordination for testing booths and awareness drives.
📢 Public Awareness and Media
The order has been circulated through:
- DGPR (Directorate General Public Relations)
- Social media announcements by EPA Punjab
- Print media awareness campaigns in Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala
- Environmental seminars under “Smog-Free Punjab” initiative
⚠️ Penalties for Non-Compliance
If a vehicle older than three years does not have a valid green sticker or emission test certificate, the owner may face:
- On-spot fine (amount varies by vehicle type)
- Warning notice or vehicle impoundment (in severe cases)
- Denial of fitness renewal or registration services
🌏 Expected Impact
- Cleaner Air Quality: Reduction in exhaust emissions from old vehicles.
- Efficient Resource Allocation: Fewer low-emission checks, more focus on high-risk vehicles.
- Enhanced Public Trust: Transparency and fairness in environmental enforcement.
🏁 Conclusion
The EPA Punjab’s 2025 exemption notification marks a significant policy shift toward smart environmental regulation.
By excluding new, compliant vehicles from emission testing, the government has balanced public convenience with environmental responsibility.
This decision ensures that Punjab’s emission-control strategy remains scientifically driven, efficient, and citizen-friendly, paving the way toward a cleaner, greener, and smog-free province. 🌿
🔍 SEO Meta Description
EPA Punjab has exempted cars and LTVs not older than three years from mandatory emission testing under Order No. 263/PA/DG/EPA/2025. Learn the purpose, reasons, and implementation details of this decision and find out which vehicles still require testing.
ای پی اے پنجاب کا نیا حکم — تین سال سے کم پرانی گاڑیاں اب ایمیشن ٹیسٹ سے مستثنیٰ
پنجاب ماحولیاتی تحفظ ایجنسی (EPA Punjab) نے ایک نیا نوٹیفکیشن نمبر 263/PA/DG/EPA/2025 جاری کیا ہے، جس کے تحت وہ گاڑیاں جو تین سال سے کم پرانی ہیں (یعنی 2022 یا بعد کے ماڈلز) اب ایمیشن ٹیسٹنگ (Emission Testing) سے مستثنیٰ قرار دی گئی ہیں
ای پی اے پنجاب نے ہزاروں گاڑیوں کے ڈیٹا کا تجزیہ کیا اور پایا کہ نئی گاڑیاں (تین سال سے کم پرانی) عام طور پر
فضائی آلودگی میں حصہ نہیں ڈالتی اور ان کا اخراج (Emission) مقررہ معیار کے اندر ہوتا ہے۔
لہٰذا، ان گاڑیوں کے بار بار ٹیسٹ کی ضرورت نہیں۔
⚙️ اہم نکات
🚘 ماڈل 2022، 2023 یا 2024 کی گاڑیاں ایمیشن ٹیسٹ سے مستثنیٰ ہیں۔
🚗 تین سال سے زیادہ پرانی گاڑیوں کے لیے ٹیسٹ لازمی رہے گا۔
🏭 ہیوی کمرشل گاڑیاں (ٹرک، بسیں، پک اپس) اس رعایت سے خارج ہیں۔
💨 گرین اسٹیکر صرف ان گاڑیوں کو دیا جائے گا جو ٹیسٹ پاس کریں گی۔
💰 فیس (پرانی گاڑیوں کے لیے)
| گاڑی کی قسم | ایمیشن ٹیسٹ فیس |
|---|---|
| موٹر سائیکل | 100 روپے |
| رکشہ | 300 روپے |
| کار (1000 سی سی تک) | 500 روپے |
| کار (1500 سی سی سے اوپر) | 1000 روپے |
| ہیوی گاڑیاں | 2000 روپے |
🚫 خلاف ورزی پر جرمانہ
جو گاڑیاں تین سال سے زیادہ پرانی ہیں اور گرین اسٹیکر کے بغیر سڑک پر چلیں گی،
ان پر جرمانہ یا گاڑی بند کرنے کی کارروائی ہو سکتی ہے۔
🌱 نتیجہ
یہ فیصلہ پنجاب حکومت کی “سموگ فری پنجاب” مہم کا حصہ ہے،
جس کا مقصد فضائی آلودگی میں کمی، عوامی سہولت،
اور مؤثر ماحول دوست نظام قائم کرنا ہے۔
اب 2022، 2023 یا 2024 ماڈل کی گاڑیوں کو ایمیشن ٹیسٹ کی ضرورت نہ،
لیکن پرانی گاڑیوں کو لازمی گرین اسٹیکر حاصل کرنا ہوگا تاکہ جرمانے سے بچا جا سکے۔
