How Does FASTag Work?

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 Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

FASTags have become compulsory from 16th February 2021 onwards. If you don't have one affixed on your car windshield, you need to pay double the toll amount. For the speedy FASTag application, you may apply for the HDFC Bank FASTag prepaid card and get started.

So, how does FASTag work? Let us explain.

The FASTag is an Electronic Toll Collection program launched by the NHAI to ease road commutes. You are issued a FASTag card or tag upon enrolling in the program. This tag has to be attached to the vehicle you are using. The tax is directly deducted from your wallet when you pass a toll plaza. This technology is enabled in over 1228 toll plazas in the country.

Here is their working mechanism:

The technology

FASTag program uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to collect toll tax payments on the road. The FASTag is a tag attached to the vehicle's windscreen and linked to your bank account or a prepaid card. When a FASTag-attached vehicle approaches a toll plaza, a scanner 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.

• 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 queueing up at a toll plaza, you save 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.​​​​​​​

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.

Note: Frequent travellers can easily upgrade their monthly passes to FASTag passes.

If you are a frequent road traveller, getting a FASTag will ease your travel. You will save time and fuel by avoiding queues at the toll plaza. You can get one tag for each vehicle if you have multiple cars or vehicles. All tags can be linked to one wallet or FASTag card. You can keep a check of all toll taxes you have paid. Stay ahead of your game; get a FASTag now.

Know How to check a FASTag balance online in 4 simple steps.

*Any information or charges mentioned above are subject to change. Please connect with the HDFC Bank team to know the latest information.