For months, Lahore’s drivers have queued at emission testing centres for a small green sticker. On 15 November 2026, the wait ends and the enforcement begins. The Green Sticker Deadline 15 November 2026 is the date after which any vehicle on Punjab’s roads without an emission testing certificate or a valid green sticker can be impounded, and the Environmental Protection Agency has said its zero-tolerance policy will continue until full compliance is achieved.
This article explains what the deadline means, who it applies to, where to get tested, and what the October enforcement numbers show. The deadline was extended by one month, but no further extension has been announced.
| Detail | Deadline Fact |
|---|---|
| Deadline | 15 November 2026 |
| What is required | Emission Testing System (ETS) certificate and green sticker |
| Action after deadline | Vehicle impounded if found without ETS certificate or green sticker |
| Fine reported | Rs 2,000 for failing fitness standards |
| Sticker validity | One year; QR-coded fitness stickers |
| Exemption | Motor cars up to 1,000cc exempt for five years from date of manufacture |
What Happens After 15 November
The rule after the deadline is simple, and the agency has repeated it in plain words. A vehicle without the certificate or the sticker is not allowed on the road.
- Impounding: from 15 November, any vehicle on the road without an ETS certificate or a green sticker will be impounded.
- Province-wide: the operation covers the whole province, beginning in Lahore and extending to other major cities.
- Only compliant vehicles: only vehicles meeting Punjab’s environmental standards will be allowed to operate.
- Zero tolerance: the EPA has said its zero-tolerance policy will continue until complete vehicle compliance is achieved.
- Legal action: owners failing to obtain ETS verification face legal action and possible confiscation of their vehicles.
Who Must Get Tested
Exhaust testing has been made mandatory for vehicles in Lahore, and the requirement covers private vehicles as well as commercial ones. One exemption is clearly defined.
- Private vehicles: emission testing has been made mandatory for private vehicles to control smog.
- All vehicles in Lahore: the EPA made vehicle inspection mandatory for every car in Lahore and other major cities.
- Small cars exempt: motor cars with engine capacities of up to 1,000cc are exempt for five years from their date of manufacture.
- Buses: all public and private buses must hold a fitness certificate from a Vehicle Inspection Certification System station, and buses without it have been stopped since 15 October.
Where to Get the Green Sticker
Testing runs through designated centres, and the queues have been long.
- Twelve centres: testing was under way at 12 centres across Lahore, including the centre in Township.
- Long queues: long queues continued even on a holiday, as motorists rushed to obtain stickers despite the one-month extension.
- Mobile facilities: the EPA was operating mobile emission-testing facilities at nine locations in Lahore.
- Fee reported: a fee of Rs 500 for a printed report was reported at one Lahore centre; the certificate is valid for one year.
October Enforcement in Numbers
The deadline did not arrive quietly. October 2026 saw the heaviest vehicle enforcement of the year, and the traffic police figures show how far the campaign had already gone.
- 67,914 challans: Lahore Traffic Police issued a record 67,914 challans in October, a 39% increase over the August and September average.
- Fitness challans: 7,272 challans were issued for vehicle fitness certificate violations, a 73% increase.
- Smoke emitters: 3,993 challans were issued against smoke-emitting vehicles, a 209% increase.
- One day in November: on 3 November, EPA teams checked 502 vehicles; 483 were compliant, 18 challans were issued, Rs 48,000 in fines was recovered, and one vehicle was impounded.
- Uncovered loads: 3,046 vehicles operating without tarpaulin covers were turned back.
Ten Teams on Lahore’s Roads
Alongside the testing centres, the EPA has run roadside teams through the season, deployed at the city’s busiest points until further orders.
- Ten teams: the EPA deployed ten dedicated teams at major roads and city entry points to identify and remove highly polluting vehicles.
- Deployment points: Thokar Niaz Baig, Multan Road, Pine Avenue, Ferozepur Road, Canal Road, Main Boulevard Gulberg, Jail Road, Mall Road, Shahdara and Saggian.
- What they test: vehicles are tested for emissions exceeding the Punjab Environmental Quality Standards.
What Drivers Should Do Before the Deadline
The steps are short, but they need to be done before 15 November, not after. A failed test is cheaper than an impounded vehicle.
- Get tested early: go to a designated centre before the deadline; queues have been long even on holidays.
- Fix smoke first: a vehicle emitting visible smoke will fail, so engine and exhaust faults should be repaired before the test.
- Keep the certificate: carry the ETS certificate with the vehicle, and keep the sticker visible on the windscreen.
- Check the expiry: the sticker is valid for one year, so note the date and renew before it lapses.
| Contact and Helpline Details | Detail |
|---|---|
| Enforcement authority | Environmental Protection Agency, Punjab |
| Report smoke or violations | Helpline 1373 |
| Live AQI | aqi.punjab.gov.pk |
Conclusion
The Green Sticker Deadline 15 November 2026 is the point where months of warnings turn into impounding. The EPA extended the deadline once, set up 12 centres in Lahore plus mobile facilities, and issued a record 67,914 challans in October alone. The rule after the deadline is clear: no ETS certificate or green sticker, no road.
FAQs
What is the green sticker deadline?
15 November 2026. After this date, vehicles without an ETS certificate or green sticker will be impounded.
Which vehicles are exempt?
Motor cars up to 1,000cc are exempt for five years from their date of manufacture.
How long is the green sticker valid?
One year. The QR-coded fitness stickers remain valid for one year from issue.
What is the fine for failing the fitness standards?
A fine of Rs 2,000 has been reported for vehicles failing to meet fitness standards.
Where can I get my vehicle tested in Lahore?
At the 12 designated centres across the city, including Township, and at the EPA’s mobile facilities.
The editor of epdpunjab.pk, covering the Environment Protection & Climate Change Department, Punjab and the CM Punjab Climate Leadership Development Internship Program 2026, with information verified from official sources.
