FASTag annual pass: Answering 10 key questions for car owners

We answer 10 frequently asked questions about the FASTag annual pass.

The government's FASTag annual pass, launched on August 15, has drawn a strong response from highway commuters. Within four days of launch, more than 5,00,000 users enrolled for the facility, making it one of the fastest-adopted transport initiatives. However, many people still have multiple questions about the FASTag annual pass. We have been asked some questions frequently. So here we are, answering 10 frequently asked questions about the FASTag annual pass.

1. Who can apply for the FASTag annual pass?

Can we apply for the FASTag annual pass? This has to be the most common question. We have encountered this question on numerous occasions. So, who all are eligible?

The pass is available for all non-commercial private vehicles (cars, jeeps and vans) that already have a valid FASTag linked to their registration number.

2. What is the cost of the pass?

You will have to make a one-time payment of Rs 3,000. A single payment covers 200 toll plaza crossings with a validity of one year, whichever is earlier.

3. Where is it applicable?

The facility can be used at around 1,150 toll plazas on National Highways and Expressways operated by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

You need to know an important detail here. The FASTag annual pass does not work on state highways, municipal toll roads or privately managed expressways. On such roads, you will be charged the standard toll.

4. What is the validity period?

The FASTag annual pass remains valid for one year from activation or until 200 transactions are completed, whichever comes first.

If you exhaust the 200 toll plaza crossings limit in less than one year, you will have to recharge it again. If you have not reached the 200 toll plaza crossings limit but have completed one year, then also you will have to recharge it again.

5. Can the same FASTag annual pass be used for multiple vehicles?

No. The pass is linked to a single FASTag account and vehicle registration number.

6. What happens after 200 trips are used?

Once the limit is exhausted, tolls are charged as per normal FASTag deductions. A user may purchase another annual pass if required.

Imagine you have utilised the 200 toll plaza crossings limit and reach a toll plaza, in that case, toll payment will be deducted from your usual FASTag account.

7. How to activate the FASTag annual pass?

Users can activate the pass via the Rajmargyatra mobile app, which is available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. They can also visit the NHAI website for the activation process. The pass gets activated in just two hours of the fee payment.

8. Can the pass be refunded or cancelled?

If you purchase the FASTag annual pass once, there is no provision for refund or cancellation.

9. Does the wallet balance matter?

Yes. You will need to have a positive balance in your original FASTag account for smooth functioning of the FASTag annual pass.

10. How much can users actually save?

This is a big question. In a price-sensitive country like India, savings matter a lot.

With a FASTag annual pass, the catch is that savings will depend on your travel frequency. For example, a commuter paying Rs 50 for one trip would spend Rs 10,000 for 200 trips. With the pass, he/she will have to shell out just Rs 3,000, saving about Rs 7,000 annually.