The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) have introduced new regulations for the FASTag payment system. These regulations have gone into effect starting today, February 17. They seek to limit FASTag-related scams and manage the long queues at toll booths. The new rules only apply to users with blacklisted or hotlisted FASTags. If your FASTag is functional, you will remain unaffected by them. Having said that, you should be aware of the new rules irrespective of your FASTag’s status. Check out the guidelines below.
Read Also: Top 10 International TV Shows to Watch on JioHotstar
In This Article
New FASTag rules for blacklisted users
The new FASTag guidelines impose heavier fines and penalties on blacklisted users. Your FASTag can be blacklisted due to one of the following reasons.
- Insufficient balance
- Expired KYC documents
- Vehicle registration issues
Legal violations related to the vehicle
- Improper use of FASTag
Now, let’s take a look at the new rules for blacklisted FASTags.
- If a FASTag is blacklisted for more than 60 minutes before reaching a toll booth, the transaction will be declined.
- After being scanned, if the FASTag remains blacklisted for more than 10 minutes, the transaction will be declined.
- Once a transaction is declined, it will prompt the error code 176. As a result, the user will be charged double the toll fee.
- If the FASTag is recharged 10 minutes after a transaction, the penalty will be waived and the extra amount charged to the user will be refunded.
- Chargeback requests can be issued by the bank after a 15-day cooling period.
Here’s how you can make sure your FASTag isn’t blacklisted.
- Keep your FASTag wallet recharged with sufficient balance.
- Use the FASTag customer portal to check its status before hitting a toll booth.
- Make sure your FASTag is active.
- Look out for SMS alerts for low balance and inactive FASTag.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is FASTag?
FASTag is a toll collection system that automatically charges the toll fee by scanning the QR code on the vehicle. The fee is deducted from the bank account, digital wallet, or payment app linked to the FASTag.
How do I check if my FASTag is blacklisted?
To check your FAStag’s status, go to the NPCI portal, enter your Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) or NETC FASTag ID along with the CAPTCHA and hit ‘Check Status’.
Why is my FASTag blacklisted?
If your FASTag has insufficient balance or your KYC documents have expired, your FASTag will be put on a blacklist. This can also happen when your vehicle has registration or legal issues.
What is the new FASTag rule?
According to the new FASTag rule implemented by NPCI, all FASTags must be removed from the blacklist at least 60 minutes before reaching the toll booth. Failure to do so will lead to a penalty charge. If the FASTag is removed from the blacklist 10 minutes after the transaction, the penalty will be refunded.
How much penalty is charged on blacklisted FASTags?
If your FASTag is blacklisted at the time of arriving at a toll booth, you will be charged double the toll fee as a penalty.
Read Also: Vivo V50 with 50-megapixel dual and selfie camera launched in India
Final Thoughts
These are new FASTag rules that you need to know about before embarking on a long journey. Make sure that the wallet or account linked to your FASTag has sufficient balance to avoid being blacklisted. If you have any questions, let us know in the comments!
