What is a FASTag sticker?
A FASTag sticker is an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) enabled tag that can be stuck to your vehicle’s windshield. The sticker is linked to your prepaid digital wallet from which you digitally pay the toll charges whenever you cross a toll booth.
When you approach the toll booth, the scanner scans the FASTag sticker and gathers data about the tag ID and digital wallet via the RFID technology. Post a successful scan; the toll fee will be deducted from the digital wallet. All this happens in a few seconds as you slowly approach the toll booth.
The FASTag sticker looks like any other normal sticker, but it comprises an RFID circuit to communicate with the scanner installed at the toll booths. Proper installation of the FASTag sticker is crucial, as it should be visible to the scanner. We will discuss the installation part in the following sections of this article.
How to stick a FASTag on your car?
Once you receive your tag, the next question on your mind would be how to stick FASTag on car glass? It’s a straightforward process as it's as simple as sticking any other normal sticker on the car’s windshield. Refer to the steps below to install FASTag on your car’s windshield.
Step 1: Clean the windshield with a damp cloth to get rid of dust.
Step 2: Remove the adhesive liner from the sticker.
Step 3: Stick the FASTag from the inside of your car. Face the adhesive side to the outside when sticking the sticker.
Step 4: Press the sticker gently to ensure that it sticks properly.
Note: Once you paste the sticker, do not try to remove or reposition it. Doing so may damage the RFID circuit on the FASTag sticker.
Also, read: How to log in to a FASTag account?
Points to remember while installing the FASTag on your car
Below are the points you need to remember while attaching the FASTag sticker to your car’s windshield.
Ensure that the glass surface is clean, dry, and dust-free before attaching the sticker.
If you feel that the sticker adhesive is insufficient, do not stick the sticker. Try and get a new sticker as soon as possible.
Never use any other adhesives such as superglue, double-sided tape or glue tape to attach the sticker. Use only the sticker adhesive to attach the tag to the car’s windshield.
Do not attach the sticker to a cracked windshield as it may damage the sticker over time.
FASTag sticker position: Where to stick a FASTag sticker?
As mentioned earlier, the scanner scans the FASTag sticker to deduct the toll fee for the digital wallet. Hence, the correct positioning of the sticker is crucial. The FASTag position on the windshield should be such that it can be easily visible to the scanner.
The best position to stick the FASTag sticker is on the top centre of the windscreen, behind the inside rearview mirror. The top centre of the windshield provides an unobstructed view and helps in trouble-free scanning at toll gates. Since the scanner is placed on the middle of the toll gate’s roof, the top centre of the car’s windshield is a perfect position for a FASTag sticker.
If you do not have space behind the inside rearview mirror, you can attach the tag to a bit left towards the passenger side. But ensure that the sticker is on the top of the windshield for hassle-free sticker scanning.
How to get a duplicate FASTag sticker if it’s damaged/lost?
In case of FASTag sticker damage or loss of tag, you can call the customer care number of the issuer bank to inform them about the damage/loss of the FASTag. The issuer will arrange a replacement tag.
Note: The new replacement FASTag sticker will be linked to your old digital wallet, and the balance amount will be transferred to the new tag.
The government has made different-coloured FASTag stickers for different types of vehicles. This allows quickly identifying the vehicle category and automatically charging the applicable toll fees.
The colour coding helps toll operators instantly know what vehicle is passing through and what charges must be deducted from the FASTag wallet. This makes the whole toll collection process faster and smoother.
Who Gets What Colour FASTag?
Personal vehicles like cars, jeeps and vans get Violet coloured FASTags.
Small buses and mini commercial vehicles that carry passengers get Orange FASTags.
Regular buses and medium-sized trucks with only 2 axles get Green coloured FASTags.
Large trucks and buses with 3 axles get Yellow coloured FASTags.
Massive trucks with 4, 5, or 6 axles get Pink FASTags. Examples include carrier trucks and long tractor-trailers.
Massive trucks with 7 or more axles get blue-coloured FASTags.
Construction vehicles like earth movers, excavators and related equipment get black-coloured FASTags.
How Does the Colour Help?
When a vehicle passes through the toll booth, the colour of the FASTag sticker helps the scanner system instantly recognise the vehicle categories.
If it is Violet, the scanner knows it is a private car. If it is Blue, the scanner recognises it as a massive truck. The vehicle category is linked to applicable toll fee rates in the system database, so the exact toll amount is automatically deducted from the FASTag wallet.
This colour coding saves time when manually identifying vehicle types. It also makes toll collection faster, smoother, and straightforward.
What is RFID technology?
The RFID reader is a device that sends out electromagnetic waves. When an RFID tag passes through the field created by the reader, it detects the radio waves. This causes the tag to transmit the data encoded in its microchip to the reader. The RFID reader identifies the tag and acquires its associated information.
How does RFID work in FASTag?
The FASTag sticker has a tiny RFID chip embedded in it. This chip has a unique ID.
When your vehicle reaches a toll booth, an RFID reader is placed overhead. This reader emits radio waves.
The waves strike the FASTag sticker on your vehicle's windshield and activate the RFID chip.
The chip transmits its unique ID to the reader. With this ID, the reader identifies your FASTag account.
Automatic toll deduction
Once identified, the centralised system checks the prepaid balance in your FASTag account.
If sufficient funds are available, the exact toll amount is deducted automatically.
Within seconds, your vehicle passes through without stopping to pay cash. The toll booth barrier opens automatically.
An SMS notification regarding the toll deduction will be sent to your registered mobile number.
Conclusion
Installing a FASTag is imperative for smooth highway travel across India. Though the process is straightforward, understanding correct FASTag sticker placement and installation helps ensure optimal functionality. Keep the windshield surface clean and dust-free before affixing the tag. Place it at the top centre behind the rearview mirror for maximum scanner visibility at tolls. Do not try repositioning once stuck. Get a replacement tag if damaged or lost by contacting the issuer. With the convenience of automatic toll payments, FASTag makes road journeys seamless while saving time and fuel costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions and their answers regarding FASTag installation.
