An RFID enabled sticker is placed on the window of the vehicle so that the tag reader installed at the toll plaza can scan it and the payment is done automatically. The FASTag or RFID sticker is linked to the prepaid or savings account of the vehicle owner.
FASTag Fastag is an electronic payment system through which the driver of the vehicle makes online payment at toll plazas. According to traffic rules, it is mandatory to have FASTag on all vehicles for cashless toll payment. For this, the government has given many more rules, which are necessary to follow. A FASTag is a small electronic tag that is placed on the glass of the vehicle. It is completely based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. The vehicle on which this tag is affixed, it is not required to pay itself at the toll plaza. The money is automatically deducted from the tag.
In the year 2017, the Union Transport Ministry had introduced FASTag so that the drivers of the vehicle could get rid of the long jam at the toll plaza. There used to be long lines of vehicles at the toll plaza to pay the toll tax. This caused unnecessary delays, along with embezzlement of government money due to rigging in toll collection. To overcome all these problems, the government started FASTag. With the advent of FASTag, the trend of cash payment ended. The congestion at the toll booth ended and many traffic problems got resolved automatically.
The government has given 5 regulations or rules related to Fastag, which every driver should know. This will facilitate travel and there will be no problem on toll.
- If you do not have FASTag and you put your vehicle in the FASTag lane of the toll booth, then you will have to pay double the toll amount.
- If your fastag is not working due to low balance, or your fastag is damaged and you entered the fastag lane, then you will have to pay double the amount at the toll booth.
- Fastag is already being installed in the vehicles that are being sold since the year 2017. If your vehicle is of old version, then you have to apply for FASTag. It is available in any bank. For example, ICICI Bank is issuing FASTag online from April 2020.
- If you are taking third party insurance for your vehicle, then FASTag is also required for that. Earlier there was no such rule, so before insuring the car, take care of Fastag also.
- No vehicle owner can use the same FASTag for different vehicles. One FASTag is for only one vehicle. If you have two to four vehicles, then you will have to issue a separate FASTag for each vehicle.
Know the benefits of Fastag
- FASTag saves time along with fuel as you don’t have to worry about cash pick-up at toll plazas. Toll money is deducted from your prepaid or savings account through FASTag.
- Whenever you cross a toll booth and money is deducted from it, a message comes on your mobile phone. Such messages keep coming to your mobile phone continuously. With this you are always updated and also get the details of the movement of the vehicle.
- You can recharge FASTag with UPI, Credit or Debit card, NEFT or RTGS.
- If you want to get information about the transactions done through Fastag, then for that you can go to the web portal of Fastag and get complete information together.
- If you travel through a certain toll plaza constantly and frequently, then you can get a monthly pass made through the bank.
- In order not to violate the rules of FASTag, it is necessary to put it on the vehicle on time. You can also buy RFID through the mobile app. For this, one has to log in to the bank’s net banking and buy FASTag online from there.
An RFID enabled sticker is placed on the window of the vehicle so that the tag reader installed at the toll plaza can scan it and the payment is done automatically. The FASTag or RFID sticker is linked to the prepaid or savings account of the vehicle owner. From this the toll money is deducted. There is no need to stop the vehicle at the toll plaza to pay toll money. As soon as the vehicle passes the toll, the money is automatically deducted from the FASTag. It is mandatory to install FASTag on every vehicle from 1st April 2021.
