What Is FASTag and How Does FASTag Work

FASTag is a completely electronic method of paying toll charges that will significantly reduce the time spent at toll plazas. From Dec 15, 2019, the government has made it mandatory for all vehicles to be equipped with FASTag and to pay toll charges using the FASTag technology.

What is FASTag?

FASTag is a highly convenient, cashless mode of payment that has been implemented at toll plazas. A small electronic tag is installed on the windscreen of the vehicle, which can be scanned by a FASTag scanner available at the toll plaza. This tag is linked to a prepaid account that is related to the specific vehicle. Whenever you pass through the toll plaza, the tag is scanned and the toll amount is automatically deducted from your account. This scanning is done as you pass through the toll gate and stopping for a cash transaction becomes completely unnecessary.

How does FASTag work?

The FASTag on the windscreen of the vehicle is equipped with Radio Frequency Identification technology (RFID). This allows an RFID scanner to obtain information from it and deduct the toll charges automatically. As soon as the charges are deducted, an SMS notification is sent to the car owner.

How do I obtain a FASTag?

Since FASTag has become mandatory now, it is wise to know how one can obtain a FASTag registration. There are numerous ways to get FASTag:

• Approach Point of Sale (POS) counters at various toll plazas, Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) or petrol pumps to obtain a FASTag and create an account.
• Some select banks also offer FASTag facility for Rs 499, which includes minimum balance and deposit. ICICI Bank provides the FASTag facility for your vehicle.
• FASTags can also be obtained from numerous online retailers.

Depending on where you buy your FASTag from, your tag can either be linked to a prepaid account that you have to recharge regularly, or it can be linked directly to your bank account.

Documents required

• Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC)
• Passport sized photograph of vehicle owner
• Relevant KYC documents of owner that should include ID as well as address proof

FASTag is currently available at about 450 toll plazas and since the government’s initiative, more and more toll plazas have started implementing this technology. Presently, toll plazas have specific FASTag lanes that are exclusively for FASTag equipped vehicles. Soon, most toll plazas will have most of their lanes converted to FASTag lanes. Development of road infrastructure has made long distance travelling a breeze. This excellent initiative will enhance it further and make long distance driving easy.

Benefits of using FASTag

Here are the key benefits of using FASTag:

• Saves Time and Fuel: By cutting back on stops, FASTag allows automatic toll payments, reducing waiting time at toll plazas.
• Convenient Online Recharge: You can effortlessly recharge your FASTag online, making sure your balance never runs out.
• Cashless Transactions: FASTag offers the convenience of cashless toll payments.
• SMS Alerts: Receive instant SMS alerts for all your FASTag transactions, confirming your account status.
• Efficient Toll Payments: Automatic toll deduction speeds up the process, allowing smoother journeys.
• Environment Friendly: Reducing idle time at toll booths helps lower vehicle emissions, contributing to a cleaner environment.
• Easy Account Management: Manage your FASTag account through mobile apps or web portals and enjoy convenience and control over your usage and balance.

Why should you use FASTag?

FASTag is now required for all four-wheelers as of February 16, 2021, under government regulations aimed at streamlining traffic and reducing waiting time at national highway toll plazas. The goal of this cashless toll collection system is to increase travel efficiency by saving fuel and time.

Advantages of FASTag

• Time and Fuel Savings: Pass through toll plazas without having to stop, saving time and fuel.
• Decreased Congestion: Reduce gridlock at toll booths by allowing cars to pass through smoothly.
• Expense Tracking: Stay up to date on toll transactions with regular notifications, making it simple to monitor toll expenditures.
• Conversion Options: To ensure a seamless transfer and ongoing convenience, easily convert your current toll passes to FASTag.

FAQs

What is FASTag?

FASTag is an electronic system of toll collection that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) operates in India. It uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to deduct toll charges directly from a prepaid magnetic sticker affixed to a vehicle's windscreen as it passes through a toll booth. Vehicle owners can purchase FASTag from an official tag issuer or a participating bank.

How does FASTag work?

After purchasing a FASTag, the vehicle owner affixes the magnetic sticker in the middle of the windscreen. As the vehicle passes through a toll booth, an RFID reader installed at the booth scans the sticker and debits the toll charge from the linked Prepaid Account. FASTag accepts payments through various modes, including Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI, etc.

What are the benefits of using FASTag?

The benefits of using FASTag include the following:

• No need to juggle cash at toll booths.
• Avoid long queues to save time.
• Less traffic congestion on highways and at toll booths
• Save fuel with seamless passage at toll plazas.
• Easily buy and recharge FASTag online
• A long validity period of five years without frequent renewals or replacements.

Is it mandatory to have FASTag?

2021 onwards, the NHAI has made it mandatory for four-wheelers to have FASTag. It is accepted at almost all toll plazas across the country. If you don’t have FASTag on your vehicle, you can still pass a toll booth, but you must pay double the regular toll charges.

Where can I get FASTag?

You can get FASTag from an official tag issuer or a participating bank. You can order it online from an ecommerce aggregator. However, once you receive your FASTag, you must activate it according to the instructions given. You may also approach a participating bank to get a FASTag and activate it. FASTags are also available for purchase at toll plazas.

What are the documents required to get FASTag?

When applying for FASTag, you must submit the following documents:

• Vehicle Registration Certificate
• Vehicle owner’s passport size photograph
• KYC documents for address and identity proof, such as PAN Card, Driving Licence and Passport.
• Duly filled application form

All the documents should be in the vehicle owner's name. If not, the driver can submit his/her own documents.

What happens if I don't have FASTag?

2021 onwards, the NHAI has made it mandatory for every four-wheeler crossing a toll plaza to have FASTag. If you don't have FASTag on your car, you can still cross the toll plaza, but the toll charges you pay will be double the regular amount. Therefore, having FASTag on your vehicle helps save money by avoiding double toll charges.

Apply for FASTag, click here .