FASTag in India

To make things even more seamless, the government has introduced FASTags – a digital mode of making contactless toll payments. Read on to know more about FASTags and how it can make road travel a breeze.

What is FASTag?

FASTag is a prepaid rechargeable e-wallet that enables automatic toll collection while you are on the roads.

FASTags translate to sticker or tag forms and have a bar code on them. So toll plaza officials can scan these FASTag stickers through Radio Frequency Identification Technology (RFID). That way, you do not have to spend more than a few seconds paying your toll.

Apart from the government making FASTags mandatory, it is also now essential to have a FASTag if you want to buy or renew motor insurance online after April 1, 2021.

When and why was FASTag introduced?

FASTags were introduced by the National Electronic Toll Collection and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in 2016 to make road travel and toll collection smoother. Now, it is mandatory to have an active and running FASTag for four-wheelers carrying passengers or goods from January 1, 2021. It is even more essential to have a FASTag if you want to buy or renew your vehicle insurance policy.

How do FASTags work?

FASTags work through RFID technology. When the driver passes through the toll plaza, the toll official can scan his/her FASTag affixed on the car’s windscreen. Thereon, an automatic deduction of the toll amount from the vehicle owner’s prepaid FASTag account takes place. Drivers can link their FASTag directly to their bank account or open a separate prepaid FASTag wallet through the MY FASTag mobile app available on Google Play or the Apple store. However, drivers need to purchase the FASTag before they can download it.

How to buy Fastag?

You can buy a FASTag from your bank as long as your bank falls under the list of banks certified to issue FASTags. You can use your bank’s website or visit a branch near your residence. You can also go to any highway toll plazas that you come across travelling or use applications.

However, the current most popular way of buying a FASTag is through the Indian Highway Management Company Ltd. (IHMCL) because it sells bank-neutral FASTags and gives users the flexibility to choose their payment mode.

You can purchase a FASTag either online or offline. At the time of purchase, you will have to submit the necessary documents. The documents include a copy of:

• Your vehicle registration certificate
• Address proof
• Identification proof
• Passport-sized photo(s)

You might also be required to carry your original documents for verification.

After you buy your FASTag, you have to self-activate it through the MY FASTag app and link your preferred mode of account. If you have purchased your FASTag through a bank, there will be an automatic deduction from the bank account itself. However, if you have a separate FASTag wallet, you will need to pre-load the necessary amount.

How to renew your FASTag balance?

Just like you renew your insurance for your vehicle and pay car insurance online to keep the benefits of your vehicle insurance policy active, you have to recharge your FASTag balance from time to time. FASTags linked to a bank account do not require recharging. However, those with an e-wallet might run out of balance and have to reload their balance as required. You can use your debit/credit card or use Google Pay, Paytm or net banking to make a recharge. Once you activate your FASTag account, it will remain active for 5 years.

What are the benefits of FASTags?

Apart from saving time and fuel, FASTags will cost you less than paying the toll fee in cash or credit. In case you don’t have it, you might end up paying twice the toll amount. Moreover, you get SMS alerts/reminders to make timely recharges/renewals. Besides, the cap amount for the FASTag account can go ₹1,00,000, so you will have enough before renewal is necessary.

Read more benefits of FASTags

However, in case you do have to make recharges, a good way to remember is to recharge your FASTag account at the same time you pay car insurance online for your car.

FASTag and Vehicle Insurance

As a FASTag is now essential to purchase insurance for a vehicle, your vehicle insurance policy will lapse if you don’t have a valid FASTag, and you can end up incurring a fine of up to ₹4,000. Thus, it is best if you get a FASTag for your car at the earliest.

In fact, at Tata AIG car insurance, you can get your policy for 3 whole years, so you don’t have to worry about making yearly renewals and paying car insurance premiums every year.

Conclusion

The government has FASTags compulsory for car owners as it is beneficial for them in the short and long run. If you haven’t already, get your FASTag and pay car insurance online at the same time, as both are a must before you hit the roads in India.

FAQs

What happens if you do not pay road tax?

If you don’t pay your road tax while purchasing the car or registering it, you will have to pay the entire base road tax amount and incur an interest amount as a penalty.

What are the FASTag rules in India?

The FASTag rules in India are regulated by the Motor Vehicles Act, 1989 and have been made mandatory after January 1, 2021, as per the government.

How can I get a FASTag in one day?

To get a FASTag in one day, you can buy it online on your bank’s website, through the IMHCL website or any third-party website.

Which documents are required for FASTag?

The documents required for FASTag include:

• Your vehicle registration certificate
• Address proof
• Identification proof
• Passport-size photo(s)