FASTag comes in with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and is linked to the customer’s savings account. It will allow all to drive their vehicles across the highway seamlessly without having to stop at toll plazas to pay the toll tax and being linked to a prepaid account will ensure that the toll tax is automatically deducted when driving through the FASTag lane.
This system has been seen as a relief to drivers being stuck in long lines at toll gates while it will also benefit toll operators who sometimes have an issue with dispensing exact change. The Government of India has installed electronic toll collection booths across the country to bring these issues to a close.
Now there are several questions being raised by vehicle owners. One is how does one go about installing these FASTags? Who does one approach for them to be fixed onto the vehicle and what documents are required by the owner of the vehicle? The cost factor is also an issue and what happens when one wants to transfer ownership of the vehicle? All these queries are answered here.
What is a FASTag – This is a device that is affixed to the windshield of a vehicle. The FASTag which comes in with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology gets linked to the customer’s bank account and whenever the vehicle crosses a toll booth the tag reader scans the tag and the amount of toll is automatically deducted from the bank account. The owner receives transaction details via SMS and also details of low balance, etc.
Advantages of FASTag – Once these tags are affixed to the vehicles, customers will not need to carry cash for transactions at toll plazas. The service will save a lot of time and will facilitate non stop movement of cars thus leading to lower fuel consumption as well. Bottlenecks at toll plazas will be a thing of the past and this will also lead to reduced air pollution.
Where can I buy FASTag – FASTags can be purchased via authorized banks such as Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, Syndicate Bank, SBI, IDFC Bank and ICICI Bank. They are also available at Paytm, toll plazas, RTOs, Common Service Centre, transport hubs and at certain petrol stations.
What documents are needed – This depends on how one goes about procuring the FASTags. PayTM only requires the vehicle RC documents to be uploaded online. However, banks or toll plazas or the FASTag websites require various documents. In the case of the vehicle registered in the owner’s name, then one would have to submit vehicle registration certificate, passport photo and KYC documents. In the case of the vehicle registered under a corporate name, the proprietorship deed, PAN card of the firm, photo ID of signing authority will be required. In the case of a vehicle registered under a partnership firm then the list of partners, partnership deed and address proof will also be required in addition to the other mandatory documents.
Cost of FASTag – If procuring the FASTags via PayTM, then the cost includes Rs.100, a security deposit of Rs.250 and threshold amount of Rs.150 taking total to Rs.500. In the case of via banks then the cost includes Rs.100 as cost of FASTag, Rs.200 as security deposit and Rs.100-200 as threshold amount, thus taking total to Rs.400-500.
Installation of FASTag – Once the tag has been received, the tag has to be opened and positioned in the center of the windscreen for easy reading, since the scanner at the toll plaza is placed at the center of the roof.
Transfer of FASTag ownership / Deactivate – If the FASTag is purchased via PayTM then the app allows for deactivation and one simply needs to peel off the physical tag from the windscreen. The new owner will have to procure a fresh FASTag by submitting the necessary documents.
Recharge of FASTag – FASTags can be recharged via netbanking, debit/credit cards or through NEFT or RTGS. One will have to feed details of the vehicle onto the FASTag mobile app. A FASTag has a validity of five years. The minimum amount of recharge is Rs.100 while a maximum is Rs.1 lakhs. Users who have not completed their KYC will not be able to recharge their FASTag accounts with more than Rs.10,000 while it must be noted that one FASTag is valid for only one vehicle.
FASTags become mandatory from 1st December 2019 following which all vehicles without FASTags will be charged double at toll plazas. If you have not installed a FASTag yet, now is the time.
