Everything You Need To Know About FASTag

The Indian government has made FASTags mandatory for all vehicles, beginning from February 2021. In fact, new cars now come with a registered FASTag on the windshield and that is as much a part of the buying process now as registering for an RC book. However, even though it has been mandatory now, this is actually a system that makes good sense. The government has finally come up with a perfect solution to curb tedious and never-ending traffic and line-up at the toll plazas. Let's face it; waiting at toll plazas can be a bummer if you are on a road trip.

Now, as long as everyone has their FASTag wallets replenished, those lines will keep moving quickly. This works even more in your favour if your daily commute includes crossing a toll booth. The FASTag aims to cut down the wait time and make toll-paying quicker and more efficient. But if you have an older car that doesn´t come with a registered FASTag, then here are some simple steps on how to go about it.

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What is FASTag?

It is a Radio Frequency Identification Technology (RFID) that the Government of India introduced in late 2017. The solution of FASTag was developed keeping in mind the inconveniences the workforce and the car drivers face in the toll plazas.

The FASTag is prepaid rechargeable tags meant for quick and easy toll payments. Owing to the FASTag, you no longer have to stop by the toll plaza to pay the sum. It is also worth mentioning that these FASTags come with no expiry date. You have to recharge them or connect them to a bank account or digital wallet.

How to Buy and Activate FASTag?

You can purchase your FASTag by dropping by any 22 authorized banks. You can also buy the FASTage on the eCommerce sites such as Amazon. Once you buy the FASTag, you have to activate it at the toll plaza.

There are two ways of activating your FASTag:

• By Visiting the Authorized Bank Branch: You can visit the bank branch to purchase your FASTag and activate it. The bank will help you to link it with your existing account. To begin the FASTag activation process, you must provide your vehicle's registration certificate and KYC documents.
• Self-Activation: You can also DIY activate your FASTag. Car owners can download the FASTag app on their smartphones. This app offers an option of linking your FASTag with any of your existing bank accounts.

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Recharging Your FASTag

If you have successfully linked your FASTag with a bank account, you need not recharge it. The only thing you need to ensure is that the connected bank account holds a sufficient balance for toll payments.

But, if you want to link your FASTag to a prepaid wallet, you have several methods to recharge it. You can recharge the prepaid wallet through UPI, NEFT, cheque, and credit-/debit cards. You should also note that different payment methods will levy varying charges.

Maximum Balance for FASTag

The government has also put a maximum cap on the prepaid wallet. Here are the further details:

• Full KYC Accounts: Full KYC accounts can have a maximum balance of Rs. 1 lakh. Also, these accounts have no cap on monthly reload.
• Limited KYC Accounts: Such accounts can not have a balance of more than Rs. 20,000 in their prepaid wallet.

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If you do not already have the FASTag sticker on your vehicle, we suggest you rush and complete the process. After all, without the FASTag sticker on your car, you might end up in a fuss!