New FASTag rules could impact your journey starting February 17, 2025, if you frequently travel on highways. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has introduced fresh guidelines to improve toll collection efficiency and prevent fraud. Ignoring these changes might result in payment failures or extra toll charges.
New FASTag Validation Rules Explained
The latest update introduces a two-step validation system for FASTag transactions:
Rule 1: 60-Minute Cutoff Before Reaching the Toll
If a FASTag is blacklisted, has insufficient balance, or is on the hotlist for more than one hour before arriving at the toll plaza, the transaction will be declined.
Rule 2: 10-Minute Window After Scanning
If the tag remains inactive or blacklisted within 10 minutes after being scanned, the toll transaction will also fail.
Penalty Alert: If both conditions apply, the system rejects the transaction with error code 176, and the driver is charged double the toll amount as a penalty.
Also Read: UPI transactions saw an all-time high in September with a total of Rs 20.64 lakh crore
How Will This Affect FASTag Users?
FASTag accounts are categorized as:
Active (whitelisted): Can process payments smoothly.
Inactive (Blacklisted): Will be blocked due to:
- Low or zero balance
- Unverified KYC (Know Your Customer) details
- Mismatch in the vehicle registration information
No More Last-Minute Recharges: If a FASTag has been blacklisted for over an hour, recharging it right before reaching the toll booth won’t help. However, if a recharge is done within 10 minutes of the transaction attempt, users might be eligible for a penalty refund, returning the toll charge to normal.
Steps to Avoid FASTag Issues
- Maintain a sufficient balance before hitting the road.
- Regularly update KYC details to prevent account blacklisting.
- Check your FASTag status via mobile apps or websites before long journeys.
How FASTag Compares to Global Toll Systems
FASTag is India’s digital toll collection system, but similar systems exist worldwide.
United States: E-ZPass
- Works across multiple states and is linked to a prepaid account.
- Some highways use dynamic toll pricing, which changes based on traffic congestion.
Europe: Telepass (Italy), Toll Collect (Germany), eToll (Poland)
- Some countries use RFID-based toll collection like FASTag, while others track vehicles via GPS to charge based on the distance travelled.
- For example, Germany’s Toll Collect system automatically charges heavy vehicles based on kilometres driven.
Key Difference: FASTag currently doesn’t support congestion-based pricing or distance-based tolling, which are common in some international systems.
Alternatives for Non-FASTag Users
Although FASTag is now mandatory for all four-wheelers in India, those without it have limited options.
Cash Lanes: A few toll booths still accept cash payments, but non-FASTag vehicles must pay double the toll amount.
On-the-Spot FASTag Purchase Some toll plazas allow drivers to buy and activate a FASTag instantly after submitting KYC documents.
Digital One-Time Payments (Limited Availability): For non-FASTag users, a few toll booths may offer payment via UPI, debit/credit cards, or mobile wallets.
Final Takeaway
With these new rules, keeping your FASTag recharged and active is more important than ever. Proactively checking your balance and KYC details will help avoid unnecessary penalties and delays. Plan ahead, stay informed, and enjoy a smoother highway journey.
Also Read: UPI transactions soar to nearly 17 billion in January