FASTag annual pass for private vehicles soon: What it means for your highway journeys

The FASTag annual pass will be applicable for 200 trips only.

For commuters taking national highways (NHs), there is a piece of great news. The Union government will introduce a FASTag-based annual pass system for private vehicle owners from August 15 to ensure a hassle-free travel for them.

FASTag annual pass price

The pass will be priced at Rs 3,000 for private vehicles. It will be more cost-effective for those who have to pass through toll plazas frequently while commuting.

FASTag annual pass validity

The pass will be valid for one year or 200 trips, whichever comes first. So you pay only Rs 3,000 for your vehicle pass for one year or 200 trips. Let us try to understand this with an example.

If we assume that the fee at a particular toll plaza is Rs 50, we will have to pay Rs 10,000 for 200 trips. But with the new FASTag-based annual pass system, the toll plaza fee will come down to Rs 15 if we exhaust the entire quota of 200 trips. Since we paid Rs 3,000 for 200 trips, we will end up saving Rs 7,000.

FASTag annual pass vehicles

The government has announced the introduction of the FASTag-based annual pass system only for private vehicles like cars, jeeps and vans. These are non-commercial vehicles. As of now, commercial vehicles are not included in this system.

FASTag annual pass highways

This new system will be applicable only on national highways, and not on roads or expressways under the purview of states.

FASTag annual pass trip

The pass will be applicable for 200 trips. One trip here means crossing a toll plaza once. If you cross the same toll plaza again, or any other toll plaza, it will be considered as the second trip. Let us again look at it through an example.

If you drive your private vehicle on a national highway from point A to B and cross five toll plazas, they will be considered five trips. While returning, on the same day or the next day, if you take the same route and cross the same five toll plazas, they will again be counted as five trips. So, you exhausted 10 trips from your quota of 200 trips during the complete journey.

FASTag annual pass availability

The annual pass will be available only on the Rajmargyatra mobile application and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) website. It will be activated after verifying the eligibility of the vehicle and the associated FASTag.

Once the verification process is completed, the user will have to make a payment of Rs 3,000 through the Rajmargyatra mobile application or the NHAI website. After the confirmation of the payment, the annual pass will be activated on the registered FASTag.

If you already have a FASTag, there will be no need for you to purchase a new one. The annual pass can be activated on your existing FASTag if it meets the eligibility criteria.

FASTag annual pass reactivation

After one year or 200 trips, you will have to reactivate the annual pass by paying Rs 3,000 through the official channel, or it will automatically revert to a regular FASTag.