New FASTag rules: What every highway user must know before traveling |

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has introduced new rules for FASTag balance validation, which will come into effect from February 17, 2025. These changes are aimed at ensuring smoother toll transactions while preventing fraudulent activities. However, vehicle owners must be aware of these updates 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 a specific time window relative to when the tag is read at a toll plaza. The new rule introduces two key timeframes:

1. 60 minutes before the FASTag is scanned – If a FASTag has been blacklisted, placed on a hotlist, or marked as low balance for more than an hour before reaching the toll booth, the transaction will be declined.
2. 10 minutes after the FASTag is scanned – If the tag remains blacklisted or in an inactive state within this 10-minute period after being scanned, the transaction will also be rejected.

If a FASTag meets both of these conditions, the system will decline the transaction with error code 176, and the vehicle will be charged twice the toll fee as a penalty.

Impact of the new rule on FASTag users

FASTag accounts are categorized into two states: whitelisted (active) and blacklisted (inactive). A FASTag can be blacklisted due to:
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• Insufficient balance
• Pending Know Your Customer (KYC) verification
• Discrepancies in vehicle registration details

With the revised system, a FASTag user can no longer rely on a last-minute recharge if their tag has been blacklisted for over 60 minutes before reaching the toll. However, if the user recharges their FASTag within 10 minutes after the transaction attempt, they may be eligible for a refund of the penalty charge and will only be required to pay the standard toll fee.
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What FASTag users should do

To ensure seamless transactions and avoid penalties, FASTag users should:

• Keep sufficient balance in their accounts well before reaching toll plazas.
• Regularly update their KYC details to prevent blacklisting.
• Check their FASTag status before starting long journeys.

By staying informed and managing FASTag balances proactively, highway users can avoid delays and additional toll charges under the new validation rules.

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