FASTag has revolutionized toll payment systems in India, enabling seamless travel on highways with cashless transactions. However, there may be situations where your FASTag gets blacklisted, disrupting this convenience.
Blacklisting not only disables your FASTag but can also lead to higher toll charges and travel delays. Understanding the reasons behind blacklisting and the steps to reactivate it is crucial for uninterrupted highway journeys.
This blog will guide you through the process, from identifying the causes to reactivating a blacklisted FASTag efficiently.
Why is FASTag Necessary for Vehicle Insurance?
FASTag is now a mandatory requirement for purchasing vehicle insurance. Linking FASTag details with your insurance policy ensures compliance with government regulations and streamlines processes for policy issuance and renewals. Always ensure your FASTag is active to avoid interruptions in toll payments and insurance services.
What is FASTag Blacklisting?
FASTag blacklisting refers to the temporary deactivation of your RFID-enabled FASTag, creating a disruption in making digital toll payments. A blacklisted FASTag cannot process transactions at toll plazas, leading to manual payments and often double the toll charges.
Only the tag issuer or authorized law enforcement agencies have the authority to blacklist FASTags. Common reasons include insufficient balance, law violations, or suspicious activity.
Let’s have a quick look at its implications:
An inconvenience at Toll Plazas: Stops the automatic toll deduction, leading to delays.
Higher Costs: You pay double the toll fees when using cash at toll booths.
Legal Implications: Using a FASTag associated with violations could lead to fines or further restrictions.
Reasons Behind FASTag Blacklisting
The process of how to remove blacklisted FASTag becomes more simple by identifying the reason behind it and then addressing them by promptly taking the necessary actions.
FASTag blacklisting can occur due to several reasons and is primarily linked to insufficient balance, rule violations, or account-related concerns.
Below, we have listed some general reasons.
Insufficient Balance: When the FASTag balance falls below the required minimum or is inadequate, the issuer disables the tag to avoid transaction failures.
Law Enforcement Actions: A law enforcement agency may request the blacklisting of your FASTag due to violations like using a private vehicle’s tag for a commercial one or if there are unresolved traffic violations.
Suspicious Account Activity: Fraudulent, suspicious account activities, or unauthorized transactions may trigger temporary blacklisting for security reasons.
Read More -->Why Does FASTag Get Blacklisted?
How to Check if a FASTag is Blacklisted?
To check if your FASTag is blacklisted, visit the NPCI FASTag portal or your issuer's website/app, and enter your vehicle registration number or FASTag ID to check its status.
Alternatively, you can contact your issuer’s customer care for assistance.
Below is the step-by-step process to check the blacklisted FASTag status.
Step 1: Visit the NPCI FASTag Portal
Open your web browser and go to the official NPCI website: https://www.npci.org.in/.
On the homepage, navigate to the "What We Do" tab at the top navigation bar.
Hover over the menu, and select the "NETC FASTag" option from the dropdown list.
Step 2: Access the "Check Your NETC FASTag Status" Section
After navigating to the NETC FASTag section, look for the option labeled "Check Your NETC FASTag Status."
Click on this option to proceed to the FASTag status inquiry page.
Step 3: Enter the Required Details
On the FASTag status page, you will find input fields to provide the necessary information:
Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) or FASTag ID: Enter your vehicle registration number (e.g., KA01AB1234) or the unique FASTag ID provided by your issuer.
Captcha Code: A security captcha code will appear on the screen. Carefully type it into the designated field.
Double-check the entered details to ensure accuracy.
Step 4: Click the "Check Status" Button
Jump to the next step by clicking on the "Check Status" button.
The system will process your request and retrieve the current status of your FASTag.
Step 5: Review the Status
After processing, the system will display the status of your FASTag. This could be one of the following:
Active: Your FASTag is operational and ready for use.
Inactive: The FASTag is temporarily disabled, possibly due to insufficient balance or another issue.
Blacklisted: The FASTag is blocked, preventing it from functioning at toll plazas.
If you need help, you can connect to the customer support team, and raise your concerns. To connect with the support team of NPCI, move to the “Get in Touch” head located on the home page of NPCI and follow the prompted actions.
The dedicated team will assist you and help you by providing possible solutions.
How to Reactivate a Blacklisted FASTag?
Reactivating a blacklisted FASTag involves addressing the issue that caused the deactivation. The procedure to re-activate FASTag varies depending on the reason.
So, to reactivate a blacklisted FASTag, you first need to identify the reason for blacklisting and then take the relevant actions.
General Reasons
If it’s due to insufficient balance, recharge the wallet linked to the FASTag.
For rule violations or technical issues, contact your issuer, resolve pending matters, and follow their instructions to restore functionality.
Here's detailed information on how to remove blacklisted FASTag under certain situations. Give a look at them.
Resolve Insufficient Balance Issues
To resolve this issue, simply recharge the FASTag wallet through the issuer's portal, My FASTag app, or payment aggregators. Further, ensure the balance meets or exceeds the minimum requirement. This prevents automatic blacklisting due to insufficient funds.
Follow these steps on how to remove the blacklisted FASTag in case of insufficient balance:
Check the FASTag Status
Input the details asked and verify them
Recharge your wallet immediately
Resolve the outstanding dues with your issuer
Tip: Always ensure your wallet has sufficient funds, even if the vehicle is not in use.
Rectify Law Enforcement Concerns
If your FASTag is blacklisted due to law enforcement concerns, contact your FASTag issuer and understand the reason.
Learn how to activate blacklisted FASTag following the agency's instructions for reactivation and provide the necessary documents to address any violations linked to your vehicle.
Report the Suspicious Activities at the earliest
Contact your FASTag issuer’s customer support to report and clarify any fraudulent transactions.
Cooperate in updating account details, if required.
How Long Does It Take to Reactivate a Blacklisted FASTag?
Reactivating a blacklisted FASTag can take anywhere from a few minutes (for wallet recharges) to 2-5 business days, depending on the issue. Rule violations or technical errors may require additional time for resolution.
The reactivation timeline depends on the cause of blacklisting:
Insufficient Balance: Immediate activation upon wallet recharge.
Law Enforcement or Suspicious Activity: It may take up to 24-48 hours after resolving the issue.
Stay proactive by closely following the issuer’s guidelines.
What should I do if my FASTag is not reactivated even after taking corrective measures?
If your FASTag remains blacklisted despite taking corrective actions, contact your issuer's customer support for assistance, verify that all required steps are completed, and ensure there are no pending issues. Escalate the matter, if necessary, and track the resolution process closely.
You can try practicing the following actions:
Contact Customer Support
If you are still unsure of how to remove FASTag from blacklist or continue to face issues, try connecting with your issuer's customer support team. They will guide you through the entire process and help resolve your concerns effectively.
Provide Necessary Documentation
Submit missing documents (if any) requested by the issuer to verify your identity.
Recheck Compliance
Ensure that all violations or outstanding dues are cleared.
Read --> FASTag Rules & Regulations
What to do to prevent your FASTag from getting blacklisted?
By following these simple yet effective steps, you can prevent your FASTag from getting blacklisted and avoid the hassle of searching for a FASTag blacklisted solution. Always stay proactive and ensure compliance to enjoy smooth and uninterrupted travel.
To avoid the inconvenience and facing the issue of a blacklisted FASTag, you can follow a couple of simple practices enumerated below:
Maintain Minimum Balance
Always ensure that your FASTag wallet has sufficient funds. A low balance is one of the most common reasons for blacklisting. Regularly check your balance and recharge the wallet to keep it above the required minimum limit.
This will help you avoid the frustration of needing to know how to remove blacklisted FASTag due to insufficient funds.
Ensure No Offences Are Registered Against Your Vehicle
Violations or offenses, such as using a private vehicle's FASTag for a commercial vehicle, can lead to your FASTag being blacklisted. Make sure that your vehicle complies with all traffic regulations and that no violations are registered.
If any issues arise, promptly address them to prevent the need to learn how to activate blacklisted FASTag.
Report Suspicious Activity Promptly
If you notice any unauthorized transactions or suspicious activity related to your FASTag account, report it immediately to your issuer. This will help prevent fraudulent actions from leading to a blacklisted FASTag. Taking quick action can help you avoid future disruptions and eliminate the need to figure out how to remove FASTag from blacklist later on.
Follow Issuer Guidelines and Update Details Regularly
Keep your FASTag account information updated with your issuer. If any personal or vehicle details change, such as ownership or address, make sure to update them to avoid complications. Failure to do so could lead to your FASTag being flagged by the issuer or law enforcement.
Also Know --> FASTag For Commercial Vehicles
Conclusion
FASTag blacklisting can be a temporary inconvenience, but it is manageable if addressed promptly. Regularly monitor your FASTag status and wallet balance to avoid interruptions. Follow the outlined steps to reactivate your FASTag swiftly and ensure seamless toll payments for your journeys. Stay informed about FASTag blacklisted solutions and maintain compliance for hassle-free travel on Indian highways.