New FASTag Rules: Key Changes and How to Avoid Penalties
Stay updated on the new FASTag rules effective from February 17, 2025. Learn how balance validation changes impact toll payments, avoid penalties, and ensure seamless highway travel with timely recharges and KYC updates.
Fastag
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has introduced new FASTag balance validation rules, effective from February 17, 2025, to enhance toll transaction efficiency and prevent fraudulent activities. Vehicle owners must understand these changes to avoid payment failures at toll plazas.
Key Changes in FASTag Validation:
According to NPCI's circular dated January 28, 2025, FASTag transactions will now be validated based on specific timeframes relative to when the tag is scanned at a toll plaza:
1. 60 Minutes Before Scanning: If a FASTag has been blacklisted, hotlisted, or marked as low balance for more than an hour before reaching the toll booth, the transaction will be declined.
2. 10 Minutes After Scanning: If the tag remains blacklisted or inactive within 10 minutes after being scanned, the transaction will also be rejected.
Meeting both conditions will result in the system declining the transaction with error code 176, and the vehicle will incur a penalty of twice the standard toll fee.
Impact on FASTag Users:
FASTag accounts are classified as either whitelisted (active) or blacklisted (inactive). A FASTag can be blacklisted due to:
- Insufficient Balance: Maintaining a low or zero balance can lead to blacklisting.
- Pending Know Your Customer (KYC) Verification: Incomplete KYC details can result in account deactivation.
- Discrepancies in Vehicle Registration Details: Mismatched or incorrect vehicle information can cause blacklisting.
Under the new system, users cannot rely on last-minute recharges if their tag has been blacklisted for over 60 minutes before reaching the toll. However, topping up the FASTag within 10 minutes of a declined transaction may make users eligible for a refund of the penalty charge, requiring only the standard toll fee.
Recommendations for FASTag Users:
To ensure smooth transactions and avoid penalties:
- Maintain Sufficient Balance: Regularly check and top up your FASTag account before embarking on journeys.
- Update KYC Details: Ensure all KYC information is current to prevent account blacklisting.
- Verify FASTag Status: Before long trips, confirm that your FASTag is active and not blacklisted.
By staying informed and proactively managing their FASTag accounts, highway users can prevent delays and additional charges under the new validation rules.
