Recent Fastag rule changes penalize non-users and encourage digital payments: crossing a toll without an active, working Fastag costs double the toll amount if paid in cash, and 25% extra if paid via UPI. Additionally, inactive or 5-year-old tags must be replaced, and KYC must be updated regularly
A comprehensive breakdown of the updated rules and procedures includes:
💰 Toll Payment Penalties
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) implemented a revised fee structure to incentivize digital payments
- With Valid FASTag: Standard toll rate is deducted.
- Without Valid FASTag (Cash Payment): You will be charged double the standard toll amount.
- Without Valid FASTag (UPI Payment): You will be charged 1.25 times (a 25% surcharge) the standard toll amount.
⏱️ Low Balance / Blacklisted Tag Grace Period
- If your FASTag balance is low and gets blacklisted, the transaction is declined only if the tag has been on the hotlist/exception list for more than 60 minutes prior to arriving at the toll plaza and remains blacklisted 10 minutes after leaving.
- This grants drivers a 70-minute window to do a quick mobile top-up
🔄 Mandatory Tag Replacements & KYC
- 5-Year Limit: FASTags older than 5 years must be replaced.
- Re-KYC: Users are required to undergo a re-KYC process every three years to keep their accounts active.
- Inactivity Rule: FASTag accounts with zero transactions for 3 consecutive months are automatically closed.
- New Vehicle Update: If you buy a new vehicle, the updated Registration Certificate (RC) number and details must be linked to the tag within 90 days of purchase
🎟️ Annual Pass Option
- For frequent travelers, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) introduced an Annual FASTag Pass for non-commercial (private) vehicles.
- Priced at ₹3,000, the pass allows up to 200 toll crossings or a validity of 1 year from the date of activation, whichever comes first