FASTag: All You Need to Know About It

Whenever travelling you might have faced the hassle of waiting in the long queue at the toll plazas. This used to be very inconvenient for waiting long just to clear a toll plaza. FAStag was launched to eliminate this inconvenience and bring a seamless toll payment. It is basically a readable tag which is affixed to the windscreen and scanned while the vehicle is moving for payment. Continue reading to learn about FASTag in detail. 

What is FASTag?

FASTag is a device that uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for toll payments. It is affixed at the windscreen and is scanned on toll plazas making payment easier. This tag allows users to make seamless payments by deducting the amount from the bank account linked to FASTag. This facility helps to control traffic on toll roads as vehicles don’t need to stop for long in queue for payment. 

How Does FASTag Work?

FASTag is affixed to the windscreen of the vehicle which is linked to the bank account. These toll payments use RFID technology making payment faster while the vehicle passes the toll plazas. It enables faster payments as vehicles don’t need to stop at the toll plazas. The payment gets deducted from the bank account linked to the FASTag. You can link any bank account with FASTag for making faster payments. 

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Features & Benefits of FASTag

Here are some of the features and benefits of FASTag:

For Users-

Some of the features and benefits of FASTag for users are mentioned below-

Saves Fuel and Time

FASTag enables customers to pass toll plazas without the need to stop which saves fuel as well as time.

Payment While Vehicle is Moving

FASTag enables users to make payments electronically without the need to stop at the toll plaza and roll down the window. 

Cashless Payment

FASTag is automatically scanned and the amount is deducted from the linked bank account due to which customers don’t need to carry cash or change for payment. 

Online Recharge 

Easy online recharge using the bank account linked to FASTag through the bank's portal, UPI, credit card, debit card,etc. 

SMS Alerts

When customers make any FASTag payment they receive SMS alerts for each transaction which also include charges and balance update.

Access Statements

Customers can easily access their statements recording all the transactions made through FASTag using my FASTag App which allows them to track all the toll payments. 

Benefits for Toll Operator

• Toll operators have lower operation costs with FASTag
• FASTag offers centralized user accounts which enables better audit control. 

Benefits for Government

• FASTag use reduced the errors on toll plazas by repeatedly stopping at different toll plazas.
• Reduced Traffic as vehicles don’t need to stop in long queue saving fuel 
• Much organized and transparent toll transactions

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Document Required to Purchase FASTag-

Documents required for the purchase of FASTag is mentioned below-

• RC of the vehicle
• Vehicle owner’s passport-sized photo
• KYC documents

Individual-

• Identity and Address proof such as Aadhaar Card, Passport, driving license, PAN card,etc.
• One passport size photo

Corporate-

• Certificate of incorporation or partnership deed or registration certificate of the firm in case of private limited/public company/ partnership.
• PAN Card of the corporate, photo ID of the signing Authority, List of directors, Udyog Aadhaar, Sales tax registration.
• In case of proprietorship a PAN card, address proof of the proprietor, shop act or any other proof etc. 

How to Purchase a FASTag?

Below are the steps guiding on how you can purchase a FASTag-

• Purchasing a FAStag is easy and customers need to just visit the banks certified by the government which include banks like Axis Bank, HDFC, ICICI Bank, SBI, among several others. 
• They can also purchase FASTag on toll plazas, RTOs, petrol pumps. 
• They can also use e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, PayTM, etc. 
• You can also use the FASTag App in order to locate the nearest selling point.

How to Activate FASTag?

Once you purchase a FASTag it is necessary to activate it in order to use it on toll plaza. For activation you can opt for self-activation through the FASTag app or by visiting the nearest bank branch to get your FAStag activated. 

How to Recharge FASTag Online?

NHAI also offers a prepaid wallet which enables a direct payment from the wallet and no need to link a bank account. Using this prepaid wallet is easy, you just need to recharge it before any trip through netbanking, UPI, credit card, NEFT, RTGS etc. Users can recharge FASTag using different ways-

Recharge of FASTag issued by bank-

• Bank issued FASTag can be recharged through the bank’s portal.
• Users can recharge FASTag issued by banks through UPI on my FASTag App.
• Customers can also recharge by calling the respective bank’s customer care number. 

NHAI FASTag Recharge 

• Users can recharge NHAI FASTag linked to NHAI prepaid wallet using UPI on My FASTag App via netbanking, UPI ,debit or credit card, etc. 
• NHAI FASTag are automatically topped up once reaching the minimum balance limit through MY FASTag App, if the bank account is linked. 

ALSO READ: https://stablemoney.in/blog/bank-of-baroda-fastag

How to Check your FASTag balance?

You can check FAStag balance for that need to have a mobile number registered with NHAI Prepaid Wallet. You can check FASTag balance by giving a missed call on a toll-free number i.e. +91-8884333331 which is available 24/7. 

FASTag Charges

Government has regulated FASTag maximum price at Rs 100 including GST as well as a security deposit of Rs 200. This security deposit is usually charged by the banks which depends on the vehicle. 

NETC FASTag Member Banks List-

Common Challenges and Solutions Related to FASTag-

Below are some of the common challenges faced by FASTag users and solutions for those challenges- 

Stolen, Lost, or Damaged FASTag

FASTag is affixed to the windscreen so it can be easily lost, stolen or damaged. In such a case you can inform your bank which issued the FASTag before anyone misuse it. If it is damaged, approach the tag issuing bank and ask for a replacement.

Double-Deduction

Sometimes the toll fee gets deducted twice from the bank account which mostly happens due to any technical glitch. In such a situation, you can contact you issuing bank customer care and report the double deduction issue. They will check the complaint and raise a refund for the duplicate deduction.

Possible Technical Glitches

The most common challenge faced is when the tag stops working and the RFID scanner does not scan the tag. In such a case you can pay using cash and if the toll plaza scanner is not working then you get a free trip. 

Blacklisted FASTag

One of the common challenges is blacklisted FASTag which happens when you fail to maintain adequate balance in the FASTag wallet. In such a case if you pass through a toll plaza you transaction decline which results you to pay in cash. It is important that you make sure your account has enough balance when travelling.

Conclusion-

FASTag has changed the way we used to make payment on toll payment by offering seamless, fast and cashless experience. It not only saves time and fuel but also ensures smoother traffic flow at toll plazas. FASTag activation and recharge process is easier to get started for faster toll payments. By understanding how FASTag works, its application process users can make the most out of the toll payment system and travel hassle-free anywhere.