What is a FAStag?
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launched the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) program in response to the Indian market's desire for electronic tolling. It offers an integrated, statewide toll payment system with clearinghouse settlement and dispute resolution services. Interoperability in the context of the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) system refers to a common set of protocols, rules, and technical specifications that enable a consumer to pay with their FASTag on any toll plaza, irrespective of who made the transaction. Are you trying to buy FASTag near me or instant FASTag near me? You can pick up your FASTag from the temporary booth set up by several FASTag providers in the tool plaza closest to you.
How Does FASTag Work?
It is important to understand how FASTag works. Here is what you need to know:
- FASTag uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to enable cashless toll payments.
- When you purchase a FASTag for car, it comes in the form of a small sticker embedded with an RFID chip.
- This sticker is affixed to your vehicle's windshield. As your car approaches a FASTag-enabled toll plaza, the RFID reader installed at the plaza scans the tag on your windscreen.
- The toll amount is automatically deducted from your linked FASTag account or wallet. This entire process happens within seconds, allowing you to pass through the toll plaza without stopping to make a cash payment.
- You can easily monitor your FASTag transactions and balance through the provider’s mobile app or web portal.
By eliminating the need for cash transactions and manual toll collection, FASTag helps reduce traffic congestion at toll plazas while saving time. Let us look at how you can get a FASTag for your vehicle.
Certified Banks for Purchasing FASTag
You can buy FASTag online or offline from the following certified banks:
- Axis Bank
- HDFC Bank
- ICICI Bank
- Bank of Baroda
- Equita Small Finance Bank
- Kotak Mahindra Bank
- State Bank of India
- Punjab National Bank
- IDFC FIRST Bank
- Airtel Payments Bank
- IDBI Bank
- IndusInd Bank
- Latest customer reviews
- Canara Bank
- City Union Bank
- Dena Bank
- Setu Amravati
- AU Small Finance Bank
- Business Listings In Ahmedabad
- Central Bank of India
- Cosmos Bank
There is no need for concern regarding how to get new FASTag. These certified banks offer online and offline options to buy FASTag, making it convenient for vehicle owners to obtain their tags from a trusted source.
Benefits of Having FASTag
Aside from the convenience of cashless toll payments, FASTag offers several other advantages for vehicle owners:
- Reduced waiting time: With FASTag, you no longer need to stop and wait in long queues at toll plazas, saving valuable time during your journey.
- Easy online recharge: You can quickly recharge your FASTag account online through various payment methods, such as credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI.
- Long validity: Once purchased, your FASTag remains valid for five years, giving you hassle-free toll payments for an extended period.
- Paperless transactions: FASTag promotes paperless transactions, contributing to a more eco-friendly toll collection process.
- Transparency: The electronic record of your vehicle's toll transactions brings transparency and helps prevent payment disputes.
- SMS alerts: You receive instant SMS notifications for each toll transaction, updating you about your FASTag account activity.
- Cashback incentives: Some issuer banks offer cashback rewards for FASTag users, helping you save money on toll expenses.
- Easy access to toll statements: You can easily download and review your FASTag toll statements online, making it convenient to track your expenses.
What is the Validity of FASTag?
One of the advantages of using a FASTag is its long-term validity. Once you purchase and activate a FASTag, it remains valid for 5 years, providing hassle-free toll payments for years to come.
You are good if the FASTag is properly affixed to your vehicle's windscreen and can be read by the RFID scanners at toll plazas. This means you don't need to worry about periodically renewing your FASTag, saving you time and effort.
However, if your FASTag becomes damaged or tampered with, or the reading quality deteriorates due to wear and tear, you may need to replace it. Unsure how to buy new fastag? You can make a formal request for a new FASTag by getting in touch with the issuing bank or authorised agency. They will help you obtain a replacement tag and transfer any remaining balance from your old FASTag to the new one.
It's important to note that while the FASTag itself has no expiration date, you must maintain a sufficient balance in the linked account or wallet to ensure successful toll transactions. If your FASTag account runs out of funds, you may be required to pay the toll charges in cash until you recharge your account.
How to Buy FASTag Online?
Generally, you can request to buy a new FASTag online from an issuer bank or other authorised digital platform or order FASTag from the My Fastag app. The process requires you to provide the car’s registration number and owner’s ID online. After that, you must wait for the FASTag to arrive at your address.
Here are the steps to buy FASTag online.
- Buy FASTag from any online retailer/issuer bank.
You can also apply FASTag online through “My FASTag” app.
- Step 1: Download the “MyFASTag” application on your smartphone.
- Step 2: Select the “Activate NHAI FASTag” option on the app.
- Step 3: Choose the FASTag online retailer/issuer bank on the app.
- Step 4: Fill in the FASTag ID or scan the FASTag QR code to activate it.
- Step 5: Enter your vehicle details, such as the registration number.
- Step 6: Enter your bank details to link the account to FASTag, or you can choose the prepaid wallet.
Your online FASTag purchase is done.
FASTag Fee and Charges
When obtaining a FASTag, it's important to be aware of the associated fees and penalties. While FASTag issuance fees may vary from bank to bank, the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) has set a maximum FASTag charge of Rs.100.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
The Government of India has made FASTag mandatory for all vehicles travelling on national highways since February 2021. If a car without a valid FASTag enters a FASTag-enabled toll plaza, the driver will be charged double the applicable toll amount as a penalty.
How to Get FASTag for New Cars
Many new car owners are curious about how to apply for FASTag or how to get FASTag immediately. Authorised platforms make it simple for them to get FASTag online, and the sticker will be sent right to their door. Because of this, consumers can connect to toll payment systems without having to go to actual locations.
How to Get FASTag in a Day?
To get a FASTag immediately, you can choose the offline method. There are authorised physical points all across the country for free FASTag. You can find temporary booths at NHAI toll plazas providing FASTags. Similarly, there are FASTag booths at RTOs, transport hubs, several petrol stations, and service centres. There you can get a FASTag almost instantly.
Steps to Buy a FASTag Offline
The following steps will help you understand how to buy FASTag offline.
- Step 1: Whether looking for FASTag service near me or where to buy FASTag, you can use the My FASTag app to locate an NHAI “FASTag near me” sale point nearby. Otherwise, you can visit the nearest NHAI toll plaza to find a FASTag shop near me from an issuer bank retailing FASTags.
- Step 2: Reach the location with your vehicle’s valid Registration Certificate (RC).
- Step 3: Provide other required details of your car.
- Step 4: Provide the vehicle owner’s ID. If the vehicle is company-registered, you can provide your ID as a car user.
- Step 5: Pay the required amount, which will reflect as the minimum balance in your FASTag account. You may also have to pay a security deposit depending on which issuer you buy from.
After buying, you can install the FASTag on your car's windscreen for easy detection at toll plazas for automatic toll deduction.
Documents Required to Get FASTag Offline
If you want to buy FASTag offline, keep the following documents handy.
- Valid Registration Certificate or RC of your vehicle
- Vehicle owner’s passport-size photograph
- KYC documents such as PAN card, Passport, or Driving Licence for address and ID proof
How to Activate Instant FASTag?
Whether you purchase your FASTag online or offline, it is not pre-assigned to a specific bank at the time of purchase. There are two ways to activate your FASTag:
- Self-Activation through the "My FASTag App":
For FASTag new registration, follow these steps:
- Begin by entering your vehicle information in the app.
- Next, link your FASTag to your existing bank account or payment wallet.
- If you choose to link your FASTag to a bank account, toll fees will be automatically deducted from that account.
- Alternatively, if you link your FASTag to a payment wallet, the fees will be deducted from the balance loaded into the wallet.
- Activation at an Approved Bank Branch:
- You can visit any of the certified bank branches to activate your FASTag.
- If you don't know how to activate FASTag, you can take your FASTag, vehicle registration certificate (RC), and valid identity proof to the bank branch.
- The bank representative will assist you in linking your FASTag to your chosen bank account or payment wallet.
- Once the activation process is complete, your FASTag will be ready to use at toll plazas across India.
Regardless of the activation method, ensure that your FASTag is securely affixed to your vehicle's windshield and that sufficient funds are present in the linked account or wallet to cover toll charges. With a properly activated FASTag, you can enjoy seamless and cashless toll payments on Indian highways.
FASTag Application: Best Practices to Follow
Correctly positioning your FASTag sticker on your vehicle's windshield ensures smooth and efficient toll transactions. Here are some guidelines for affixing your FASTag:
- Location: Here are steps on how to apply FASTag on car. The FASTag should be affixed on the top centre portion of your vehicle's windshield, behind the rear-view mirror. This placement ensures optimal visibility for the RFID scanners at toll plazas.
- Orientation: Ensure the FASTag is affixed horizontally, with the adhesive side firmly attached to the windshield. It should be readable from outside the vehicle.
- Cleanliness: Before affixing the FASTag, thoroughly clean the designated area on the windshield with a soft cloth or glass cleaner. Remove any dirt, dust, or debris to ensure proper adhesion.
- Avoid obstructions: Ensure any decorative items, stickers, or tinted films on the windshield do not obstruct the FASTag. The tag should have a clear line of sight to the RFID scanners.
- Single tag per vehicle: Only one FASTag should be affixed to a car. Multiple FASTags on the same vehicle may lead to confusion and transaction errors at toll plazas.
- Avoid tampering: Once the FASTag is affixed, do not attempt to remove or tamper with it. Doing so may damage the tag and render it unusable. If you need to replace your FASTag, contact the issuing bank or agency for assistance.
How to Remove Old FASTag from Car?
1. Only roughly 50% of the previous FASTag may be easily removed, leaving the remainder to the windscreen. Because the glue is so strong, scraping with nails frequently fails.
2. Let the car sit in bright light for an hour.
3. Get the following things ready: A razor shaving blade, water, and a microfiber towel
4. Gently start scraping the FASTag from the edges with mild pressure after spraying it with water from the inside. Do not cut your fingers, and add more water as necessary.
5. To prevent scratches, gradually clean the windscreen, scraping until all residue is gone. Finally, use the microfibre towel to wipe the windshield.
6. Lastly, use detergent to wash the microfibre cloth to remove any last bits of glue.
Frequently asked questions