FASTag Annual Pass Explained: Who Can Use It, Where It Works, and How to Activate

Starting August 15, 2025, private vehicle owners in India will have the option to purchase a FASTag-based Annual Toll Pass, allowing them to travel across National Highway (NH) and National Expressway (NE) toll plazas without incurring per-trip user charges. The initiative, introduced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and backed by a gazette notification dated June 17, is aimed at simplifying toll transactions and reducing congestion at toll booths. 

The Annual Pass, priced at ₹3,000 for the base year 2025–26, is valid for either 200 toll trips or one year—whichever comes earlier. Once either limit is reached, the FASTag automatically reverts to standard toll operation, and the user may choose to re-purchase the Annual Pass to continue enjoying the benefit.

Who Is Eligible to Use the Pass?

The Annual Pass is exclusively available to private, non-commercial vehicles—specifically cars, jeeps, and vans. Commercial vehicles such as taxis, buses, and trucks are not eligible. Use of the pass on any commercial vehicle will result in immediate deactivation without notice, as per the government’s directive. 

To qualify, the vehicle must have a properly affixed and valid FASTag, linked to a Vehicle Registration Number (VRN). FASTags registered only with a chassis number are not eligible for the Annual Pass until updated with a valid VRN.

Where Is the Pass Valid?

The pass is valid only on toll plazas located along National Highways and National Expressways. It does not cover toll points on State Highways, state-managed expressways, or municipal/local roads. At non-National Highway toll plazas, the FASTag will function as a regular tag, and users will be charged as per the applicable user fee for that road segment.

The rule also provides clarity on how toll trips are counted. At point-based fee plazas, each crossing is treated as a single trip, meaning a round trip will count as two trips. However, at closed-loop tolling plazas, where both entry and exit are recorded, one complete journey (entry and exit) is counted as one trip. 

How to Activate the Annual Pass?

Eligible vehicle owners can purchase and activate the Annual Pass exclusively through the RajmargYatra mobile app or the NHAI official website. Once logged in, users must verify the eligibility of their vehicle and the FASTag account. Upon successful verification, they can proceed to pay ₹3,000 for activation.

The activation process is digital and linked directly to the registered FASTag, which must be properly affixed to the windshield of the eligible vehicle. Once payment is confirmed, the FASTag will reflect the pass activation, and tolls at qualifying plazas will not be deducted until the pass expires or 200 trips are completed.

Can It Be Reused or Transferred?

The pass is non-transferable and is valid only for the vehicle and FASTag to which it is originally assigned. It cannot be transferred to another vehicle or reused across multiple FASTags. If a user reaches the 200-trip limit before the end of the year, they may purchase a new Annual Pass, even if the 12-month validity has not yet lapsed.

Why It Matters

This new offering aims to improve the tolling experience for frequent highway travellers by offering cost predictability and operational ease. It also reduces the friction and delays often observed at toll plazas during peak hours, contributing to smoother intercity and interstate travel. According to transport ministry officials, the initiative is part of the government’s broader push towards the digitisation of highway infrastructure, with FASTag acting as the foundation for seamless, tech-driven toll management.