FASTag : All you need to know

What is FASTag?

FASTag is an electronic toll collection system in India, operated by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). FASTag is a simple to use, reloadable tag which enables automatic deduction of toll charges and lets you pass through the toll plaza without stopping for the cash transaction. 

A FASTag employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments.  As soon as a vehicle crosses the toll plaza, the toll fee will get deducted from the bank account/prepaid wallet linked to the FASTag affixed on the vehicle’s windscreen. Moreover, these FASTags do not have any expiry date, that is, they can be used as long as they are readable at the toll plaza and are not tampered.

FASTag is a perfect solution for a hassle free trip on national highways. FASTag is presently operational at 180 toll plazas across national and state highways. More toll plazas will be brought under the FASTag program in the future.

Who is implementing this program?

Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) (a company incorporated by National Highways Authority of India) and National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) are implementing this program with help from Toll Plaza Concessionaires, FASTag Issuer Agencies and Toll Transaction Acquirer (select banks).

What are the BENEFITS of FASTag?

1. Ease of payment – No need to carry cash for the toll transactions, saves time
2. Near non-stop movement of vehicles leading to lower fuel cost.
3. Online Recharge – FASTag can be recharged online through Credit Card / Debit Card / NEFT/ RTGS or Net banking
4. SMS alerts for toll transactions, low balance, etc.
5. Online Portal for customers
6. Validity of 5 Years
7. Incentive: You can avail a cashback of 10% on all Toll payments using FASTag in 2016-17
8. Other benefits are:
   1. Environmental benefit  :      
      1. Reduced air pollution,     
      2. Reduced use of paper 
   2. Social benefit    : 
      1. Reduced toll payment hassles 
      2. Analytics for better highway management 
   3. Economic benefit :  
      1. Reduced effort in management at toll plaza
      2. Reduced effort in monitoring centrally

Is there any incentive / discount on Toll payments using FASTag?

Customer can avail a cashback of 10% on all Toll payments using FASTag. The cashback amount for a particular month will be credited back to your FASTag account within a week of subsequent month.

How to buy and activate your FASTag?

The tag can be purchased from official Tag issuers or participating Banks and if it is linked to a prepaid account, then recharging or top-up can be as per requirement. Some banks have online forms that can be filled up by interested customers. Once enquiry forms are filled, and query is generated, the customer can visit the office to fill up a required form and submit necessary documents to create a FASTag account. FASTags are issued by 22 certified banks through various channels such as Point-of-Sale (POS) at National Highway toll plazas and select bank branches. They are also available on e-commerce platform such as Amazon.

Here is the detailed list of certified banks providing FASTags

HDFC Bank issues a reloadable/rechargeable FASTag through which you can make toll payment at 420 plus toll plazas at National Highways across the country. You need to visit HDFC Bank’s authorised agent sales offices or Point of Sales (POS) locations to get your FAStag account created. Carry a copy of your know-your-customer (KYC) documents along with the original documents. 

The Paytm FASTag is a reusable tag that works on RFID. The FASTag will be linked to your Paytm Payments Bank account and Paytm Wallet. Hence, make sure you have enough money in your Paytm wallet to allow for toll payments.

Documents required for FasTag

• The following documents are needed for issue of FASTag:
• Registration certificate of the vehicle.
• Passport size photo of the vehicle owner.
• KYC documents of the vehicle owner. (Identity proof, address proof)

What are the charges for FASTag?

FASTag issued by certified banks can charge maximum of Rs 100 for each tag, which is fixed by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). However, the actual tag issuing charges are defined by the bank and may vary from bank to bank. Read more

For instance, HDFC Bank is selling FASTag for car at Rs 400. The pricing includes the following:

• 100 Rs for Tag issuance fees
• 200 Rs for Refundable Security Deposit 
• 100 Rs for first recharge amount in wallet when the wallet is been created

ICICI bank is selling FASTag for car at Rs 499.12 in the following manner:

• 99.12 Rs for Tag issuance fees
• 200 Rs for Refundable Security Deposit
• 200 Rs for first recharge amount in wallet when the wallet is been created

The top up charges may vary from bank to bank and this difference can be seen on respective banks’ website.

How to recharge a FASTag?

If the FASTag is already linked with your bank account, then there is no need to load money separately in a prepaid wallet. You only need to ensure that your FASTag-linked bank account has sufficient balance to allow for toll payments.

However, if you have linked the FASTag to a prepaid wallet (NHAI prepaid wallet), then it can be recharged through various channels such as payment through cheque or through UPI/debit card/ credit card/ NEFT/ Net Banking. Also, additional charges will be levied while recharging the FASTag account through different channels. Read more

Moreover, there is a cap on the maximum balance which can be kept in the prepaid wallet. As per regulations, these limits are:

For limited KYC FASTag account holder: This type of FASTag cannot have more than Rs 20,000 in their FASTag prepaid wallet. The monthly reload limit is also capped at Rs 20000.

For full KYC FASTag account holder: This type of FASTag account cannot have more than Rs 1 lakh in their FASTag prepaid wallet. There is no monthly reload cap in this account.

How to recharge FASTag using BHIM UPI app?

Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) is a UPI-based app which enables you to transfer money using a mobile number, a virtual payments ID or through account number and IFS code. It is an instant payments application meant for sending and receiving money. Also, through this app, you can use multiple banks to send money from person to another.

Through the BHIM app you can only recharge a FASTag, you cannot buy one

Do I need to use any specific lane at the toll plaza for FASTag?

A vehicle with FASTag may use any lane at toll plazas by making cash payment. However, the FASTag will work only in the lanes demarcated for FASTag. Vehicle without valid FASTag entering FASTag lane will be charged double the applicable toll amount in cash.

How will I get to know if and how much toll has been debited?

Issuer Agency will electronically deduct the applicable toll fee from the customer’s account linked to the FASTag. This deduction will be done post the toll transaction. The customer needs to adequately fund the account which is linked to FASTag. This recharge process may be termed as top-up. The customer will receive an SMS with requisite details to his/her registered mobile number as soon as the toll transaction takes place. Periodic statement of an account may also be obtained on website of the Issuer Agency after registration by the customer.