What is IDFC Bank FASTag?
The National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) is Indian Highway Management Company Ltd's initiative which the National Payments Corporation of India manages. By making the toll payment process automated with FASTag they are trying to simplify it and make commutation through toll points smoother and less congestive.
According to NPCI, more than 9 crore vehicle owners have started using FASTag in the month of June 2024. Along with IDFC First Bank, the NPCI has authorised 39 banks to issue this device to people requiring it.
Once you purchase IDFC FASTag, you will be able to make direct payments from your linked accounts through the NETC program's Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. RBI also counts it as a Prepaid Payment Instrument.
The FASTag enables you to evade traffic, save time and fuel and have no worries about paying toll fares or having changes for it. In an upcoming section of this blog, you can learn about its other benefits.
How Does IDFC Bank FASTag Work?
From any of the 39 live members of NETC, you can purchase a FASTag for your vehicle. After you attach it to your car as per your usage you need to top it up or recharge it, otherwise, you might get blacklisted in a toll plaza and you have to pay the toll fare in cash. You should also know that FASTag for one of your vehicles would not work for any other vehicle.
Now let us take a look at how IDFC First Bank FASTag works:
Step 1: After IDFC issues the FASTag for your vehicle you attach it to the vehicle’s windshield. With it, when your vehicle passes through an ETC lane of a toll plaza, its system scans the tag and captures details such as Tag ID, Vehicle Class, etc.
Step 2: The toll plaza’s system sends those data to the Acquiring bank. The Bank processes all your data and sends them to NETC Mapper for validation.
Step 3: If your vehicle’s data is valid the NETC Mapper will send details like VRN and Tag status in response. However, if they find your Tag ID invalid they will notify that as well.
Step 4: Upon validation, the acquirer host evaluates what the exact toll fare should be and sends a debit request to the NETC system. The NETC system will relay that to the IDFC First Bank to debit your FASTag-linked account.
Step 5: IDFC Bank will debit that account and send an SMS notification to you. All the parties involved (toll plaza, acquirer host, NETC system) will get notifications.
What Are the Key Benefits of IDFC Bank FASTag?
Now that you have an idea of how the FASTag works, it is important to have an idea about its advantages. You can expect the following benefits of IDFC First Bank FASTag:
Using FASTag lets you drive through any toll plaza without stopping. It makes the journey more comfortable and saves fuel and time too.
This device removes all the worries about carrying cash for toll fare payments and taking proper changes in return as you automatically pay the fare while passing the ETC lane.
Flexibility to Choose Any Payment Instrument
Do you have no existing account with IDFC Bank? This does not mean that you cannot open a prepaid account here. If you have an existing savings or current account you can also link them too.
Through IDFC Bank's portal, you can make online payments using a Debit Card/Credit Card/Net Banking/NEFT/RTGS/UPI and recharge your FASTag account.
You will get all related notifications to your registered mobile number. These SMS alerts will let you know about each transaction at the toll plazas, your low FASTag balance, and so on.
IDFC Bank FASTag is accepted at all toll plazas across India under the NETC programme as it is one of the 39 live members of the NETC.
If you download IDFC’s FIRSTForward FASTag app you will be able to pay your parking fare and fuel charges online too.
How to Get IDFC Bank FASTag?
Know how to apply for IDFC Bank FASTag and avoid getting penalised at toll plazas:
1. Online Method:
Here is the step-by-step guide to applying for IDFC First First Bank FASTag online:
Step 1: Visit the Play Store or App Store and download the FIRSTForward FASTag app.
Step 2: Enter your personal details and information about your vehicle and complete the online application form.
Step 3: Submit your application after entering your KYC and RC documents.
Step 4: Activate your FASTag account by making the payment required.
Step 5: Upon complete verification, IDFC Bank will dispatch the tag.
You will receive the FASTag sticker at your registered address.
2. Offline Method:
Here is the step-by-step guide to applying IDFC First First Bank FASTag offline:
Step 1: Visit your nearby toll booth with vehicle registration papers and your KYC.
Step 2: You will find many digital payment services and banks having makeshift booths near them.
Step 3: You can buy tags by showing your car details including proof of ownership ID, Registration certificate, etc.
Which Documents Required to Get IDFC Bank FASTag?
To get IDFC First Bank FASTag you have to furnish the following documents:
For Four-wheelers:
If RC is not available at the moment the following documents can work:
Temporary RC slip the RTO has issued
Registration certificate and Customs invoice/bill of entry for imported vehicles
Transfer application receipt from RTO if RC transfer is pending
Valid insurance policy copy and Form 35
If the vehicle is under a loan, NOC from the lien/finance company
For Vehicle Owners:
Any of these documents will be used to complete your FASTag KYC:
Voter ID
Aadhaar card
PAN card
Passport
Driving licence
Address Proof:
You can submit any of these documents as address proof:
How to Recharge IDFC Bank FASTag Online?
If you want to do an instant IDFC Bank FASTag recharge online use any of the methods below:
1. FIRSTforward App
Follow the steps below to complete your FASTag recharge through the FIRSTforward app or the bank portal:
Step 1: Download the FIRSTforward app or visit https://firstforward.idfcfirstbank.com/Login.
Step 2: Enter your registered mobile number to log in using an OTP.
Step 3: On the left side you will find a menu option, select ‘Recharge’ from there or you can find it in the HOME tab too.
Step 4: Select or enter the amount.
Step 5: Choose the payment option you prefer and complete the transaction.
2. UPI ID
If you want to do FASTag recharge using your UPI app you can follow the instructions:
Step 1: Open your UPI app and use the UPI address (etoll. your vehicle number@idfcnetc).
Step 2: Complete the payment and it will automatically recharge your FASTag.
Alternatively, you can enter a VPA that follows this pattern: NETC. Vehicle number @idfcnetc. You can use this UPI ID to recharge your FASTag account through any UPI. After entering the ID, enter the amount you want to reload and recharge your FASTag.
3. BBPS App
If BBPS apps are your preference, for example, and if you want to recharge your FASTag with Google Pay, Paytm, BHIM, Amazon Pay, etc. follow these steps:
Step 1: Open any of these apps and click on ‘Recharge’.
Step 2: Select the 'IDFC FIRST Bank FASTag' option.
Step 3: Enter the vehicle number and enter the amount you want to reload.
Step 4: Complete the recharge.
4. WhatsApp
IDFC First Bank allows their customers to use WhatsApp to complete this recharge so that the experience is even more convenient. Here’s how you can use the IDFC First Bank WhatsApp Chatbot:
Step 1: Save the IDFC FIRST Bank WhatsApp number (+919555555555).
Step 2: Send ‘Hi’ to this number.
Step 3: An auto-reply will arrive, from there, you have to select the 'Recharge FASTag' option.
Step 4: In the chat thread, details of your FASTag will appear.
Step 5: Confirm the details and you will be able to recharge your FASTag.
Using this method you can also recharge someone else’s FASTag.
You can also give a missed call at 99902 43331 to recharge your FASTag account, know your balance, and so on.
How to Recharge FASTag Offline?
Although online methods are contactless and more convenient you may benefit from knowing how to recharge IDFC Bank Fastag online and offline. Here are the 4 ways you can buy FASTag offline:
1. Toll Plazas
You can visit your nearest toll plaza and enter a merchant terminal to recharge your FASTag wallet by paying through cash or card.
2. Bank Branches
You can visit your nearest IDFC First Bank branch and present the required documents to reload your FASTag wallet through cash or card.
3. Parking Lots and Fuel Pumps
Select parking lots and fuel pumps have FASTag-based auto-debit. You may also recharge your FASTag account from there.
4. Fee and Charges for IDFC Bank FASTag
Now that you know how to apply for IDFC Bank FASTag learning about the applicable charges is necessary:
Particulars | Amount in INR (Inclusive of GST) |
|---|
FASTag Joining Fee | 100 |
FASTagReplacement Fee | 100 |
FASTag Max Yearly Subscription Fee | 300 |
One-Time Security Deposit for Different Categories of Vehicles
For IDFC Bank FASTag members here is a list of minimum balance and tag deposits for different vehicle classes:
Tag Class | Vehicle Description | Security Deposit (INR) | Minimum Balance (INR) |
|---|
4 | Car/Van/Jeep/Mini Light Commercial Vehicle | Nil | 200 |
5 | Light Commercial Vehicle | Nil | 400 |
6 | Bus/Truck (3 axle) | Nil | 600 |
7 | Bus/Truck (2 axle) | Nil | 600 |
12 | Truck (4 to 6 axle)/Tractor with Trailer/Tractor | Nil | 700 |
15 | Truck (7 or more Axle) | Nil | 800 |
16 | Heavy Construction Machinery | Nil | 800 |
Bottom Line
With FASTag, vehicles now do not need to stop at toll plazas like they used to have. This has significantly reduced travel times and congestion. The average wait time has decreased from 8 minutes to 45 seconds, which is a massive improvement thanks to this innovative initiative.
Now that you know what FASTag is and how to apply for IDFC Bank FASTag you can avail yourself of the benefits of this device.
Frequently Asked Questions
