What are the New FASTag Rules You Need to Know? Check Details Here

Starting from February 17, 2025, the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) is implementing new FastAG rules to improve the efficiency of toll payments.

A key change is that if your Fastag has been blacklisted for more than 60 minutes before you can reach the toll plaza and stay for 10 minutes after at least 10 minutes, your transaction will be rejected and you may face a double charge.

Additionally, last-minute top-ups may no longer prevent payment issues; now, it is now crucial to maintain adequate balance.

These updates are designed to simplify toll transactions and reduce fraud. In this article, we will explore these changes in detail and provide tips to ensure seamless travel.

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New Fastag rules start from February 17, 2025: What has changed?

Starting from February 17, 2025, the new FastAG rules implemented by the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) will affect how paid payments are processed.

These rules are designed to simplify transactions and reduce controversy, but may also impose penalties on delays or blacklist tags.

Here is a breakdown of the key changes:

  • Blacklisted Fastags: If your Fastag lists your Fastag for more than 60 minutes before reaching the paid plaza, payment will not be processed. Similarly, if your Fastag is blacklisted at least 10 minutes before scanning, your toll will be denied as well.
  • Grace period: There is a 70-minute window for the user to correct their Fastag status and then cross the toll station.
  • Impact of Blacklist: If your fastag is blacklisted after reaching the loss, even an immediate charge may not be processed, which may result in double charges. However, charging within 10 minutes of the tag scan can make you request a refund.
  • Delayed Transactions: FastAg users process tolls after vehicles pass for more than 15 minutes, readers may face additional fees.
  • Refund: Banks can only deduct incorrect deductions related to blacklists or low-equilibrium Fastags during a 15-day cooling period. Submitting a refund before this period will result in a refusal.
  • Inactive Fast Tower: If Fastag has been inactive for 60 minutes before the vehicle passes the toll and remains inactive for 10 minutes after passing, the transaction will be reduced.

To avoid the new Fastag rule problem:

  • Before traveling, make sure the Fastag wallet is balanced enough. Consider charging at least an hour in advance.
  • Check your FastAg status to make sure it is active and not blacklisted. This can usually complete your vehicle registration number on the official transportation department website.
  • Monitor transaction time to check for deduction delays.
  • Please inform your Fastag identity to prevent rejection due to inactivity.

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Key Fastag Rule Update: Avoiding Fines and Payment Issues

To avoid Fastag’s fines and payment issues, please note the key rule updates that will take effect from February 17, 2025:

  • Blacklist: Make sure your Fastag is active and don’t get blacklisted before you reach the paid plaza. Payment will be denied if your tags have been listed for more than 60 minutes before scanning or at least 10 minutes before scanning.
  • Enough balance: Maintain enough balance in Fastag wallet to prevent blacklisting due to low balance. It is recommended to charge at least one hour before traveling to ensure balance is updated.
  • Transaction monitoring: Please pay close attention to your FastAg transactions to ensure timely correction of deductions. If the toll transaction is processed for more than 15 minutes through the toll reader, it may indicate a problem.
  • Reactivate: If your Fastag has been inactive for more than 60 minutes before crossing the toll and after at least 10 minutes after inactivity, your transaction will be rejected. So make sure your fastag is active in advance.
  • Correction Window: Use a 70-minute grace period to correct your Fastag status before crossing the toll station.

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Frequently Asked Questions about the New Fastag Rules

Here are the FAQs (FAQs) about the new Fastag rules that start from February 17, 2025, and their answers:

Q1: What are the main changes to the new Fastag rules?

A1: The new rules will introduce stricter fastag balance verification. If Fastag has been blacklisted or balanced lower than 60 minutes before reaching the toll square and then lasting for 10 minutes after 10 minutes, the transaction will be rejected.

Q2: What does this mean for Fastag users?

A2: If your Fastag is already blacklisted, the last minute charging may not work properly. You need to make sure your Fastag is active and you have enough balance ahead of time.

Q3: What is the grace period for correcting Fastag status?

A3: There is a 70-minute window that can solve any problems with your FastAg. This includes 60 minutes before arrival at the toll square and 10 minutes later.

Q4: What happens if my fastag is blacklisted when I arrive at the toll plaza?

A4: The transaction will be rejected and you may charge twice the fee.

Q5: Can I charge my Fastag after reading on Toll Plaza?

A: If you charge within 10 minutes of scanning the tag, the payment may pass and you can ask for any penalty refund.

Q6: How to check if my fastag is blacklisted?

A6: You can check the status on the official transportation department website by entering the vehicle registration number.

Q7: Why is Fastag blacklisted?

A7: The reasons for the blacklist include insufficient balance, pending KYC updates or mismatch between the chassis number and vehicle registration number.

Q8: What is the reason for code 176?

A8: If FastAg is not active before 60 minutes before the reader’s reading time and up to 10 minutes after the reader’s reading time, the transaction will be rejected using reason code 17624.

Q9: What should I do to avoid the new rule problem?

A9: Stay balanced enough to make sure your KYC is updated and check your FastAg status regularly.

Q10: Is only one FastAg allowed per car?

A10: Yes, the “One Car, One Fastag” rule limits the vehicle owner to one vehicle with only one Active Fastag.

What is fastag?

Fastag is an electronic collection system designed to facilitate cashless payments at Toll Plazas in India.

It uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to automatically deduct tolls from linked bank accounts or prepaid accounts as the vehicle passes through a designated toll lane.

The main features of Fastag:

  1. RFID technology: FastAg is a passive RFID tag fixed to the vehicle windshield. When the vehicle approaches the toll plaza, the RFID reader scans the tags and automatically deducts tolls from the linked account without the vehicle stopping.
  2. Prepaid and Linked Accounts: Users can link their FastAG to a prepaid account or a savings/current bank account. If linked to a prepaid account, the user must ensure that there is sufficient balance, as insufficient funds can cause Toll Plazas’ FastAg to be blacklisted.
  3. Mandatory use: Since February 15, 2021, the Indian government has mandatory use of FastAg for all vehicles using national highways. The program aims to reduce congestion at toll stations and promote a cashless economy.
  4. Convenience and efficiency: By using FastAg, drivers can avoid long queues in Toll Plazas, saving a lot of time and reducing fuel consumption.
  5. Transaction Notification: Users receive SMS alerts for their registered mobile phone number each time they deduct tolls from their account, providing transparency and easy tracking of fees.
  6. Vehicle-specific: Each Fastag is linked to a specific vehicle and once fixed to another vehicle.