WHAT IS FASTAG USES AND BENEFITS

Toll booths spread across the Indian highways collect the funding that gets used in road maintenance. However, long queues at toll plaza often cause delays and traffic jams which eventually results in wasting time.

Additionally you need to keep cash ready before crossing each of these tolls. So, how can you speed up the payment process and make toll crossing more convenient? The solution is Fastag. 

 

 

What is Fastag?

Fastag is a prepaid electronic toll collection system launched by the National Highway Authority of India that uses RFID technology to make payment at toll plazas. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology allows charges to be deducted from lined prepaid or bank accounts.  

 

FASTag cards got made mandatory in all new vehicles sold after 2017as a way to encourage digital payments as well as free up congestion at toll booths. According to the Ministry of road transport and highways statistics, over 34 lakh FASTagsgot issued in 2018, and more than 11.5 million FASTag cards were dispensed by the end of 2019.

 

You can affix a Fastag sticker on the windshield of your vehicle, and sensors installed at the toll gate detect tag enable you to make contactless payment without the need of stopping the vehicle at toll plaza.From 16th Feb 2021, NHAI has made mandatory for all the vehicle owners to use Fastag.

 

Features of Fastags

• Fastag uses RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology to make all the payments directly from the linked prepaid or bank account.
• Fastag is accepted over 600+ toll plazas across national and state highways in India
• Users can recharge their Fastag account online via net banking, UPI, credit/debit card, or using digital wallets.
• Users receive instant notification on their mobile regarding transactions, low balance, and recharge.
• No expiry for unused balance in the Fastag, can be used in future at any time.

 

Benefits of Fastag

Cashless Payment: Auto payment deduction eliminates the need of carrying cash everytime you are traveling.

Fuel & Time Saving: Fast tag reading and auto payment reduces the ideal waiting time at toll booths ending up saving fuel and improving efficiency.

Easy Recharge: You can top up your FASTag card anytime using a credit or debit card. You can even use NEFT/ RTGS or Netbanking.

CashBack: The NHAI offers attractive CashBack offers to promote the use of FASTag.

Environment-Friendly: As fastag reduces the ideal waiting time at toll plaza, contributes to less vehicle emission, and air pollution.

Account Management: Online transactions reflected in the FasTag account allows monitoring and tracking expenses.

Reduced Congestion: Faster processing avoids the queues at toll plazas, decreases congestion, contributing to a smoother driving experience.

 

How Fastags Works?

• FasTag uses RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology to collect toll fees in India. Here is a breakdown of how exactly FASTag works technically.

 

• Each FASTag is basically a sticker embedded with a microchip linked with vehicle registration and prepaid account. Each Fastag sticker operates on a passive RFID system meaning it does not require an internal power source to work. 

 

• When a vehicle passes through a toll, RFID readers installed at toll plaza gates emit radio waves and activate RFID tags. Upon tag activation it transmits vehicle information from the central database.

 

• Rader sends this data to the toll plaza control system. This system verifies information and initiates toll fees deduction from the linked Fastag account. On insufficient balance it reflects with messages on the screen.

 

• The transaction gets logged in a central database managed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and the toll operator receives notification about the payment.

 

• After successful toll fees deduction, a notification is sent to the vehicle owner, usually through an SMS.

 

• Upon successful deduction, the control system instructs the toll barrier to open, allowing vehicles to pass without any manual intervention.

 

How to Get FASTag

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has authorized 22 banks to issue FASTag cards, with over 28,000 point-of-sale terminals available at banks, petrol pumps, and transport hubs. FASTag can be obtained online from bank websites, NHAI plazas, and digital platforms like Paytm and Amazon, or in-person at POS terminals.

 

To apply, you need to submit KYC documents, identity proof, residential proof, your vehicle's registration certificate (RC), and a passport-sized photo. The payment includes an issuance fee (capped at ₹200), a refundable security deposit, and a minimum balance for your linked digital wallet. The issuance fee is a one-time charge.

 

How to Activate Fastag?

Purchase FASTag

You can buy Fastag online platforms like ecommerce websites, apps or can buy offline point of sale at toll plazas, banks, or authorized distributors.

 

Download My FASTag App

After purchase, download the app of the provider or visit their website to activate your tag.

 

Create Account

Create a new Fastag account or log in if you have an existing one.

 

Link Bank Account

After login go to the activation section you will be asked to link your vehicle registration number with your FASTag ID.

 

KYC Verification

Some FASTag providers may ask to complete KYC by uploading documents like Adhaar, PAN, or RC Book.

 

Recharge Your FASTag

Once activated you can add funds to your FASTag account through net banking, UPI, credit/debit cards, or other online payment methods.

 

Activation Confirmation

On completing all the above steps you will be notified with successful activation and ready to use confirmation by SMS or Email. 

 

How to Activate Inactive Fastag

 

There are various reasons for FASTag to get inactive like expiration, insufficient funds, pending KYC, technical errors. To activate inactive FASTag you need to check the reason for inactivity. Login to your FASTag account to find the actual reason. 

 

If it got inactive because of insufficient funds, recharging FASTag will reactivate your account.

 

If it got inactive because of KYC failure, submitting necessary documents will reactivate your FASTag account.

 

If it is inactive due technical error contact customer care of your FASTag providers they will provide a solution on activating your inactive FASTag.

 

How to Link Fastag with a Bank Account?

If you have purchased FASTag from a bank, there are chances of getting auto linked with your bank account.

If you have brought it from non bank providers you can link FASTag with your bank account by following simple steps.

 

Step 1: Log into the mobile wallet app where you purchased the FASTag.

Step 2: Go to the “FASTag” section, and look for the option to link your FASTag with your bank account.

Step 3: You can link your bank account by entering details like account number, IFSC code or can link via UPI.

Step 4: After linking, you’ll be able to recharge your FASTag from your bank account using net banking, UPI, or debit card.

 

Rules and Regulations Related to FASTag

 

1. It is mandatory for all vehicle owners to use FASTags and vehicles without an active FASTag using FASTag lane must pay double the toll fee.

2. One Fastag can be linked with a single vehicle's registration number only and can not be used for other vehicles.

3. If the vehicle is sold, the existing FASTag must be deactivated, and the new owner must register a new FASTag.

4. FASTag is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance, after which it can be renewed or replaced.

5. If FASTag issues arise due to insufficient balance or technical errors, users must pay the toll in cash and resolve the issue with the provider later.

6. Toll plaza officials can enforce payments through FASTag.

 

FAQs on FASTag

 

What to Do with FASTag when Selling a Vehicle?

You should deactivate your FASTag account by informing your FASTag issuer before selling the vehicle to avoid future charges.

 

What is Fastag Activation Time?

FASTag typically gets activated within 24 to 48 hours after the purchase and completion of necessary documentation.

 

What to do if FASTag is Blacklisted?

If your FASTag is blacklisted, you need to find the reason for blacklisting, contact your FASTag provider for reactivation.

 

What if my FASTag Gets Damaged?

On damaging the FASTag card, you can get it replaced from your FASTag issuer.