Heading out for a long drive and don’t want to waste time queueing up at a toll plaza? A FASTag is a perfect solution for you. It is a simple electronic toll payment prepaid tag rolled out by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).
Before every trip, do you make sure to carry cash so you can pay toll charges? The mundane task of queueing up at a toll plaza is not only time consuming but also puts a damper on an otherwise smooth driving. You end up losing time and fuel in the process, both valuable resources.
For smooth sailing, we suggest you apply for the HDFC Bank FASTag prepaid card and get started. Think of it as an electronic wallet for paying toll taxes. You can pass through a toll plaza, and the amount is deducted from this wallet. You don’t have to stop or pay cash at the counter. Moreover, with it becoming compulsory from 16th February 2021 onwards, you will need to apply for it, otherwise you will need to pay double toll amount.
So how does FASTag work? Let us explain.
How do FASTags work?
As explained earlier, the FASTag is an Electronic Toll Collection program launched by the NHAI to ease commute on roads. Upon enrolling in the program, you are issued a FASTag card or tag. This tag has to be attached to the vehicle you are using. Every time you pass by a toll plaza, the tax is directly deducted from your wallet. This technology is enabled in over 240 toll plazas in the country.
The technology
FASTag program uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to collect toll tax payments on the road. The FASTag is a tag that is attached to the windscreen of the vehicle and linked to your bank account or a prepaid card. When a FASTag-attached vehicle approaches a toll plaza, a scanner at the plaza identifies the tag and deducts tax from the linked bank account or the prepaid card.
FASTag balance
The FASTag is valid for five years from the day of purchase. After purchase, you can either link to your bank account or a prepaid card. As a customer, all you need to do is make sure your FASTag balance is enough to pay the toll tax. You can then recharge or top-up your FASTag card.
Benefits of FASTag
Cashless transactions: You don’t have to set out on a trip with cash to pay for toll taxes.
Smooth drive: With a FASTag, you can avoid the queues at toll plazas and glide through.
Save fuel: Without having to queue up at a toll plaza, you end up saving fuel, a vital resource.
Easy recharge: You top up your FASTag card easily using a credit or debit card. You can even use NEFT/ RTGS or Netbanking.
CashBack: The NHAI offers attractive CashBack offers to promote the use of FASTag.
How to get a FASTag
To get a FASTag, you can visit a Point of Sale (PoS) location at toll plazas – a list of which you can find on the official website of FASTag. Alternatively, you can also approach an issuer agency. HDFC Bank is an issuer agency, where you can apply for FASTag to get started.
You need to apply for FASTag along with copies of your vehicle’s Registration Certificate (RC), a passport size photograph of the vehicle owner, ID proof and address proof. If you are enrolling individually, you can submit copies of your Driving License, PAN Card, Passport, Voter ID Card or Aadhar Card as proof of address. If registering as a corporate customer, you can check the website for details.
Here how to register for FASTag as a first time user.
How do I pay at toll plaza?
Over 240 toll plazas in the country are equipped with FASTag. These plazas have a particular lane for FASTag holders. You can pass through this lane, and your payment gets deducted from your card. If you take any other lane, you have to pay the toll tax in cash at the counter. Also, make sure that your FASTag is valid when you cross the lane. Invalid FASTags are charged double the amount. How FASTag works for return journeys is that you have to take the FASTag lane on your return trip and the remaining amount.
Conclusion
If you are a frequent road traveller, getting a FASTag will ease your travel. Not only will you save time but also fuel by avoiding queues at the toll plaza. If you have multiple cars or vehicles, you can get one tag for each vehicle. All tags can be linked to one wallet or FASTag card. You can keep a check of all toll tax you have paid. Stay ahead of your game; get a FASTag now.
Know How to check fastag balance online in 4 simple steps
*Any information or charges mentioned above are subjected to change. Please connect with the HDFC Bank team to know the latest information.