FASTag is a Radio Frequency Identification(RFID) enabled card/sticker for your vehicle. National Highways Authority of India(NHAI) has installed radar systems in each booth of the toll plazas on National and State Highways. FASTag allows you to move smoothly through the toll plazas without waiting in long queues to pay the toll.
How FASTag work, and how does it charge the car owners?
Once you create a FASTag account for your vehicle, you must log in to the FASTag portal and register yourself. You can create your user ID and password once you are registered.
The radar system will read the FASTag sticker on your windshield when you drive through toll booths. Depending on your vehicle type, you will automatically be charged a pre-determined amount as toll. This is possible because your FASTag is linked to an account where you can deposit money for this very purpose. The FASTag system allows you to save time while passing through toll plazas.
Once it is installed and set up, it has unlimited validity unless someone tampers with the sticker on your windshield. Furthermore, for each transaction made on your FASTag account, you will receive an SMS alert on your phone. Now, if you are worried about how to recharge a FASTag, you don't have to worry at all. You can recharge or top up your FASTag account online through a debit card or net banking quite easily.
FASTag fees
The charges for installing FASTag include an initial fee of Rs. 100, which is inclusive of taxes.
In addition to this, once you have installed FASTag, you would need to deposit money in your account to enable automatic debit when you drive through toll plazas.
FASTag recharge required based on vehicle category
The amount you pay at a toll plaza will depend on the kind of vehicle you drive. Most vehicles come under one of the following categories:
- NPCI Class 4 vehicles include cars, jeeps, and mini light commercial vehicles. The minimum FASTag recharge amount required for these vehicles is Rs. 200. Moreover, these vehicles have to deposit a refundable amount of Rs.200.
- For Light commercial vehicles and mini-bus(Class 5), the minimum FASTag recharge amount is 150, with a security deposit of Rs.300.
- The Class Six vehicles like 3-axle trucks and buses have to recharge for at least 300. The security deposit is either Rs. 400 or 500.
- Class 7 vehicles like buses and trucks with 2-axle are required to recharge for Rs.300 and deposit Rs.400.
- Trucks with 4, 5, and 6 axles have to recharge for Rs.300 and deposit Rs.500.
- Multi-axle trucks also fall under the above-mentioned bracket of payment.
- Class 16 vehicles which include earth moving and heavy construction machinery, have to recharge again for Rs. 300 and deposit a security fee of Rs. 500.
What does it mean when money is not deducted from your account?
If the toll is not deducted from your FASTag account, it may mean a number of things.
- There could be an insufficient balance in your account.
- The radar may not be working at the booth. In that case, you may pay in cash. Further, you can report the issue with customer care at 1033.
- Likewise, if the system deducts an incorrect amount, you should inform customer care.
- The RTO or any law enforcement agency has blacklisted your vehicle. You should check the mParivahan app on your phone, where you will get relevant information about such situations.
- You should also check if there is any pending echallan against your vehicle.
Now that you have a fair idea about how to recharge a FASTag, and the relevant charges, head over to Park+ to make all your FASTag-related payments. With Park+, all your queries on how to recharge a FASTag will be cleared with ease."