- Date : 02/12/2019
- Read: 3 mins
With 10 days to go, buy a FASTag soon or be ready to pay double
FASTags are going to become compulsory for all vehicles – private and commercial – from December 15, 2019, as per ruling by the Highway Ministry. As per new toll plaza rules, any vehicle that is found without a FASTag at electronic toll booths will have to shell out twice the toll fees.
The government is on track to meet its deadline of December 15 and will ensure all toll plazas in India are equipped with the infrastructure to automatically deduct the toll fees from vehicles passing by that date. So far, 80% of toll plazas on national highways have been equipped with Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) systems.
What are FASTags and how do they work
To streamline toll collection and reduce traffic congestions on Indian roads, the government is implementing an automatic method of toll collection. This will be done via FASTags. These are Radio Frequency Identification-enabled (RFID) tags that will be affixed on vehicle windscreens. Vehicles will no longer have to wait at toll booths to manually pay the fees. They just have to zip through and the toll fees will be deducted via these tags. FASTags will hence have to be linked to a rechargeable prepaid wallet or an individual’s savings account.
Related: National highway toll plazas to go electronic by December
How to get FASTags
FASTags are being issued by 22 certified banks that include names such as Axis Bank, ICICI, Bank, IDFC Bank, HDFC Bank, State Bank of India, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Federal Bank, among others. FASTags are available at point of sale stations at national highway toll plazas. In addition, you can buy them at select bank branches as well. They are also available on e-commerce site Amazon. You will have to buy a separate FASTag for each vehicle you own.
Related: All you need to know about road accidents
How to activate and recharge
Once you buy the tag from any of the places mentioned above, you will have to activate it to make it work at toll plazas. The first thing to do is download the My FASTag app on your smartphone. It is available on Play Store and Apple Store both. You will then have to input your vehicle number, car registration number and other details required.
The next step is to link it to either your bank account or the prepaid wallet available in the app. You can recharge this wallet just as you do your mobile phone. You can do your FASTag recharge online by using your debit card, credit card, UPI, NEFT, net banking, etc. to ensure you have sufficient balance in your wallet for smooth travel. About how to check FASTag balance, your FASTag login via the app will give you all the information you need with regards to balance, the date of recharge, etc.
Related: Are you fit to drive on Indian roads?
Alternatively, you can also visit a certified bank’s branch and get your FASTag linked with your existing bank account. You will have to furnish the required Know Your Customer (KYC) documents, vehicle details and an application form for the same.
It is important to note that the FASTag does not have an expiry date. As long as there is a balance in your account and prepaid wallet, and toll booths are able to read the tag, it will work. See how abiding traffic rules can lower your car insurance premium?
FASTags are going to become compulsory for all vehicles – private and commercial – from December 15, 2019, as per ruling by the Highway Ministry. As per new toll plaza rules, any vehicle that is found without a FASTag at electronic toll booths will have to shell out twice the toll fees.
The government is on track to meet its deadline of December 15 and will ensure all toll plazas in India are equipped with the infrastructure to automatically deduct the toll fees from vehicles passing by that date. So far, 80% of toll plazas on national highways have been equipped with Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) systems.
What are FASTags and how do they work
To streamline toll collection and reduce traffic congestions on Indian roads, the government is implementing an automatic method of toll collection. This will be done via FASTags. These are Radio Frequency Identification-enabled (RFID) tags that will be affixed on vehicle windscreens. Vehicles will no longer have to wait at toll booths to manually pay the fees. They just have to zip through and the toll fees will be deducted via these tags. FASTags will hence have to be linked to a rechargeable prepaid wallet or an individual’s savings account.
Related: National highway toll plazas to go electronic by December
How to get FASTags
FASTags are being issued by 22 certified banks that include names such as Axis Bank, ICICI, Bank, IDFC Bank, HDFC Bank, State Bank of India, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Federal Bank, among others. FASTags are available at point of sale stations at national highway toll plazas. In addition, you can buy them at select bank branches as well. They are also available on e-commerce site Amazon. You will have to buy a separate FASTag for each vehicle you own.
Related: All you need to know about road accidents
How to activate and recharge
Once you buy the tag from any of the places mentioned above, you will have to activate it to make it work at toll plazas. The first thing to do is download the My FASTag app on your smartphone. It is available on Play Store and Apple Store both. You will then have to input your vehicle number, car registration number and other details required.
The next step is to link it to either your bank account or the prepaid wallet available in the app. You can recharge this wallet just as you do your mobile phone. You can do your FASTag recharge online by using your debit card, credit card, UPI, NEFT, net banking, etc. to ensure you have sufficient balance in your wallet for smooth travel. About how to check FASTag balance, your FASTag login via the app will give you all the information you need with regards to balance, the date of recharge, etc.
Related: Are you fit to drive on Indian roads?
Alternatively, you can also visit a certified bank’s branch and get your FASTag linked with your existing bank account. You will have to furnish the required Know Your Customer (KYC) documents, vehicle details and an application form for the same.
It is important to note that the FASTag does not have an expiry date. As long as there is a balance in your account and prepaid wallet, and toll booths are able to read the tag, it will work. See how abiding traffic rules can lower your car insurance premium?
