FASTag: The Ultimate Guide to Electronic Toll Collection

Nobody enjoys waiting in a long toll gate queue for their turn. It has the feel of the traditional process and is more time-consuming. To address this issue, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways made the installation of a Radio Frequency Identification tag mandatory. Even if the usual toll procedure is used, the toll cost is double for vehicles that do not have a FASTag. In such a case, FASTag appears to be the most popular and only choice to use at the toll plaza.

What’s FASTag?

FASTag is known as an electronic toll collection system which gets operated by the NHAI, also called the National Highway Authority of India). It is a passive device and it works on the basis of RFID technology, also known as Radio Frequency Identification which enables automatic deduction of the toll fee directly from the prepaid or savings account linked to it.

The tag is affixed on the vehicle's windscreen, and information on it is passively read by the RFID reader at the toll plaza. It enables cashless toll payments without needing the vehicle to stop or wait in a queue.

How FASTag Works?

You can recharge in your FASTag wallet and keep it as a prepaid system. Or, you can link your debit or credit card to directly deduct the amount. There is less inconvenience in such methods. When your vehicle passes by the toll plaza, the tag reader at the toll plaza will read the FASTag affixed to your vehicle's windscreen.  And then deduct the toll amount automatically from your FASTag account. You do not have to stop at the plaza to pay the toll amount. You will receive an SMS initmation on your registered mobile number for all the transactions that you do on your tag account.

Benefits of using FASTag

One of the greatest benefits that FASTag offers is that you do not have to wait long at the toll plazas to make your toll payments. The other benefits that FASTag offers are listed below:

• Saves time and fuel - Since you do not have to make cash payments or wait in long queues at the toll plaza, a lot of time and fuel will be saved. 
• Ease of recharging - Recharging your FASTag account is easy and can be done online through Netbanking, Debit Card/ Credit Card, and RTGS/NEFT.
• Get notifications of transactions - Each time you carry out a transaction using the FASTag, you will receive regular SMS alerts on your registered mobile number. You will also be notified when your FASTag account has a low balance.
• Environmental and social benefits - FASTag leads to reduced paper usage and air pollution which promotes sustainability. The social benefits of FASTag are reduced hassles in toll payments and better highway management using analytics.

Documents Required to Apply for FASTag

You need to submit the below-given documents to obtain a FASTag:

• Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC)
• Know-Your-Customer (KYC) documents according to whether the vehicle owner is an individual or corporate
• Passport-size photo of the vehicle owner

Individuals can submit any of the following documents as ID and address proof:

• Driving Licence
• Passport
• Aadhar Card
• Voter ID
• PAN Card

FASTag Joining Fee and Charges

To get a FASTag, you will need to pay a joining fee and a refundable one-time deposit which will vary with the vehicle class. Once you get the FASTag, corresponding charges will apply while reloading the FASTag wallet. In instances where your FASTag is lost or damaged, re-issuance charges will be applied to the second FASTag.

Please note that according to your vehicle class, you will have to maintain a minimum threshold which is the minimum recharge amount that you must do during tag activation.

Step By Step Procedure to Buy FASTag Online in India

You can buy a FASTag online on the official website of the issuer agency or the participating bank. The steps to buying a FASTag online will vary from issuer to issuer, but in all cases, you will be asked to enter your details, such as name, email ID, address, etc. and the details of your vehicle. Once you fill in all the details, you will be asked to upload your identity proof and make the payment.

Alternatively, you can create your FASTag account at any Point of Sale (POS) location at the toll plazas or issuer agency.

You can also purchase FASTag by visiting the Amazon website or mobile app.

How to Check Your FASTag Balance?

You can see the balance on your FASTag account by visiting the website of the FASTag issuing bank/agency. Besides this, you will always get an SMS alert on your registered mobile number for every toll transaction.

Conclusion

FASTag has developed as the perfect electronic toll-collecting solution, revolutionising the way we travel and improving our journeys. One of the most notable outcomes of FASTag implementation is its positive impact on the environment. The reduction in vehicular idling at toll booths has led to decreased emissions, contributing to cleaner air and a greener future. Moreover, the digitisation of toll collection has opened doors to potential advancements in transportation infrastructure and smart city initiatives. 

FAQs

• Is FASTag mandatory?

Yes, FASTag has been made mandatory in India since February 2021 for toll payments on national highways.

• Is FASTag available for two-wheelers too?

No. Presently, FASTag is issued only for four-wheelers and not for two-wheelers.

• On which roads or highways can FASTag be used?

Currently, FASTag is functional at more than 520 toll plazas across National and State Highways. You can find the list of toll plazas that are fitted with FASTag readers on the website of the issuer agency.

• How do I block FASTag if my vehicle is lost?

If you have lost your vehicle bearing the FASTag, you will need to call the customer care number of the respective issuing agency and get your FASTag blocked.

• What procedure do I follow when I sell my car or purchase a pre-owned with a FASTag?

Before you sell your car bearing a FASTag, ensure that you remove the FASTag and close its associated wallet. When you purchase a pre-owned car with a FASTag, you should remove the existing tag and get a new FASTag with your name.