FASTag is the latest technology that allows vehicle owners to conveniently pay their toll taxes at toll plazas situated on state and national highways across India. This is possible due to the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology that enables payment of toll taxes without paying any physical cash.
This digital payment method is effective for reducing congestion at toll plazas, allowing vehicles to pass quickly. However, to pay toll taxes through FASTag, vehicle owners need to file an application and recharge their FASTag account before starting a journey. Here’s more on the FASTag application process, its documentation, recharge process, importance, features, and benefits!
What is FASTag?
FASTag is a device that can employ Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making all toll payments directly when the vehicle is in motion. The FASTag (RFID Tag) is affixed on the windscreen of the vehicle and can enable the customer to directly use his online account linked to FASTag to make the payments directly.
The government has implemented the FASTag facility to offer several benefits to citizens, such as ease of payments at toll booths by the travellers, almost non-stop movement of vehicles across the national highway, facility of recharging the FASTag online, reduced use of paper and fuel, entirely cashless transaction process and a lot more. FASTag is also vehicle specific and once it is affixed to your vehicle, it cannot be transferred to another vehicle. The user also has to ensure that if their FASTag is linked to a prepaid account, they need to recharge or top-up based on their usage.
How to Apply for FASTag Online?
The steps for the online FASTag application process are provided below:
Step 1: Visit your preferred bank’s official website and navigate to the FASTag product page.
Step 2: Select the “Apply Now” option.
Step 3: A new page will open before you where you need to provide the necessary details like name, address, and contact details and upload the ID proof.
Step 4: Next, pay the fees online as per the type of your vehicle.
Step 5: After payment, you will receive a copy of the FASTag receipt. Keep the reference number for future requirements.
Step 6: Once the bank verifies your details, you will receive the FASTag at your registered address.
How to Apply for FASTag Offline?
You can also visit the POS (Point of Sale) terminals, branches of your preferred bank, or authorised issuance centre to apply for FASTag offline. The steps for the offline FASTag application process are as follows:
Step 1: Collect the FASTag application form from the POS and fill it out.
Step 2: Submit the hard copies of documents that are required for verification.
Step 3: Pay the applicable fees and deposits.
Step 4: The representatives will affix the FASTag sticker on your vehicle.
As offline applications require physical documentation and manual verification, they may take longer. However, they can be helpful if you are uncomfortable with online applications.
What Documents are Required for a FASTag Application?
Here are the mandatory documents that an individual vehicle driver needs to provide while applying for FASTag:
- Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC): It contains the details of vehicle registration and is a mandatory document that proves vehicle ownership.
- Photograph: You need to submit a recent passport-sized photo of the vehicle owner or authorised driver, if the owner is unavailable.
- KYC Documents (ID and Address Proof): These include government-issued IDs such as PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, Passport, Driving Licence, or Voter ID. Some service providers may require proof of address separately (like utility bills or bank statements).
Note: If the vehicle owner is not present, the driver’s valid photo ID may be submitted.
For corporate fleet owners, the following documents are required:
- Vehicle Registration Certificate
- Identity and address proof of the authorised signatory
- A passport-sized photograph of the authorised signatory
- Company PAN and Board resolution or authorisation letter
- GST certificate (if applicable).
What are the Features and Benefits of FASTag?
Here are some of the features and benefits of FASTag:
- Enables Multiple Vehicle Addition
When you can add all your vehicles to a single FASTag wallet, it simplifies the hassle of monitoring and helps you manage and budget your toll expenses.
- Detailed Wallet Statement
You can track the expenses related to your vehicle’s toll taxes, manage account balances, and resolve any related disputes effectively with FASTag.
- Auto-Debit Features
By enabling the auto-debit feature, you can avoid delays at toll booths, as your wallet is automatically recharged once the balance falls below a predetermined level.
- Easy FASTag Account Management via Mobile App
You can use the FASTag mobile app, which allows you to recharge, check your balance, review transactions, and raise disputes whenever required.
- Recharge Using QR Code
You can recharge with FASTag by using a QR code without any hassles, saving time and effort.
How to Recharge your FASTag?
You can use mobile applications like Google Pay, Paytm, PhonePe, or banking portals to recharge the FASTag. Recharging involves adding money to your prepaid FASTag account, ensuring you have a sufficient balance to pay the toll tax at toll plazas. Most providers also offer an auto-recharge facility when the balance drops below a threshold.
What are the Benefits of FASTag?
Here are some of the advantages of FASTag:
- Faster Toll Payments
If you use FASTag, your vehicle no longer needs to stop and wait in long queues at toll plazas. The toll charges are automatically detected and deducted while the car is in motion, thanks to the RFID technology. This significantly reduces waiting times, making journeys smoother and saving valuable travel time for commuters across highways and expressways.
- Cashless Transactions
With FASTag, you no longer need to carry cash for toll payments. By using a prepaid wallet linked to the tag, toll charges are deducted electronically, minimising the risk of errors, theft, or lost cash.
This digital transaction promotes convenience and ensures a seamless travel experience, eliminating the need for frequent stops or payment delays.
- Automated Toll Deduction & Account Management
Every time you pass through a toll plaza, the toll amount is automatically deducted from your FASTag-linked account, eliminating the need for manual intervention. Many providers also offer easy online recharge options through mobile apps, net banking, or UPI, along with transaction alerts and balance management features.
This automation streamlines toll fee management, minimises human error, and enables users to track their expenses more effectively.
- Reduced Traffic Congestion
FASTag’s RFID-enabled system speeds up vehicle movement through toll gates, helping avoid bottlenecks and long queues. By reducing the stop-and-pay process at toll plazas, traffic flows more fluidly, which decreases fuel wastage from idling engines and lowers pollution.
As a result, this innovative system benefits not only individual drivers but also contributes to better overall traffic management on busy highways.
- Mandatory Requirement
The government mandates FASTag for all four-wheelers on national highways, making it a legal requirement. Non-compliance results in fines and double toll charges, which can be financially punishing.
Having FASTag ensures you abide by the law while also enjoying the numerous perks of easy toll collection, thus avoiding unnecessary penalties and improving your travel convenience.
- Use Beyond Toll Plazas
FASTag is expanding beyond highway tolls and is accepted at many parking lots, metro parkings, and private entry points across India. This growing acceptance enhances its utility, allowing cashless payments in multiple scenarios involving vehicle access. So, it offers comprehensive convenience in both day-to-day vehicular movement and highway travel.
What are the Common Challenges and Tips Related to FASTag?
Here are some of the common challenges faced by FASTag and the tips to address them:
- Make sure all your documents are valid and in the vehicle owner’s name for a seamless verification process.
- According to the law, you are not permitted to have multiple FASTags for a single vehicle. Therefore, avoid duplicating FASTags.
- Always check the SMS alerts for toll deduction and balance reminders.
- Maintain up-to-date KYC to avoid restrictions on recharge or usage.
The FASTag application process is a simple process designed to make travelling on Indian highways more efficient and convenient. By transitioning toll payments to a cashless, automated system, FASTag significantly reduces congestion and waiting times while also improving road safety.
With mandatory coverage for all four-wheelers, vehicle owners need to understand the FASTag application process. Keep necessary documents ready and maintain the FASTag accounts diligently to embrace smoother journeys and digitally empowered road travel in India.
FAQs about how to apply for FASTag
Q. Is FASTag applicable for two-wheelers?
No, FASTag is not available for two-wheelers at present, as toll is not applicable for bikes or motorcycles.
Q. What should I do if I am selling my car or buying a second-hand vehicle that already has a FASTag?
If you sell your car, you must deactivate the existing FASTag and close its linked wallet to prevent unauthorised toll charges. When buying a second-hand car with a FASTag, remove the old tag and apply for a new FASTag in your name to ensure proper toll payment linkage.
Q. Does the balance in my FASTag account expire?
The balance in your FASTag account does not expire. It remains valid as long as your FASTag itself is active, which is typically valid for five years from the date of issuance. You can use the balance at any time within this period without losing it. If your FASTag sticker expires or is damaged, the balance can be transferred to a new FASTag account upon reissuance.
Q. How to get a FASTag for my new car immediately?
To obtain a FASTag for your new car immediately, visit the nearest toll plaza, bank branch, or authorised Point-of-Sale location with your vehicle’s RC, ID proof, and a passport-sized photo. Submit documents, pay the fee, and receive the FASTag instantly for activation and use. You can also apply online.
Q. What is the maximum time required to activate FASTag?
The maximum time required to activate a FASTag is typically between a few minutes and 24 hours, depending on the issuer and the completion of KYC verification. Some banks confirm activation within an hour, while others may take up to 48 hours to complete the process. Activation is usually faster if documents and payments are verified promptly.
