The FASTag is a reloadable tag that must mandatorily be used with effect from 16 February 2021 as per the orders of the Indian government. FASTag lets users/commuters of the Indian National highway cross inter-state borders without having to stop for making cash toll payments at the toll booths throughout the highway.
With the use of the Radio Frequency (RFID) technology, a FASTag scanner is fixed at every toll booth, which scans the tag affixed on the windshield of your vehicle. The FASTag, which is linked to your prepaid wallet, gets successfully detected and initiates the transaction. The toll tax amount, thus gets deducted from your prepaid wallet linked to your FASTag. This is how FASTag works!
Now, you’d think about how and when you need to make a FASTag payment. Before we move on to the details, it is important to note that you need to make a FASTag payment in two situations-
- One is when you purchase a FASTag and you have to pay for the buying the tag
- Second is when you have to make payment for toll tax at every toll booth that you cross
Let’s understand how you can make FASTag payment in both the above scenarios!
FASTag Payment at the time of Buying
FASTag payment needs to be made at the time of buying through any of the following modes-
Through Digital Payment Application
- Apply for your FASTag at any digital payment application such as Paytm Payments Bank
- Upload the required documents on the portal, as requested
- Make the payment for your FASTag
- Your FASTag will be delivered to your registered address in a few days
Through Banks
- Visit any bank that offers the FASTag facility and fill in the FASTag application form
- Submit the required documents, along with the form to the concerned official, as requested
- Make the payment for your FASTag
- Your FASTag will be delivered to your registered address in a few days
Through Toll Booth
- Visit any of the POS (Point of Sale) terminals located at various toll plazas
- Remember to carry all the required documents and their original copies when you visit a POS for verification of your FASTag application
- The issuing agency will then verify all your documents closely before accepting your application
- After the registration of your vehicle for FASTag, a representative from the concerned issuing agency will fix the FASTag on your vehicle’s windshield
At Select Shops ( Paytm banking correspondent network )
Paytm has tied up with select stores for its users to buy FASTag. All you have to do is follow these steps-
- Open the Paytm app on your mobile device
- From the ‘Search’ icon on the home page, search for ‘FASTag’ and press ‘Enter’
- Under the section ‘My Paytm FASTag’, click on ‘Buy from Nearby Store’
- Now, allow your device to access your location
- You will then be able to see a list of all nearby stores (along with their calling details and the distance) which allow the purchase of Paytm FASTag
- All you need to do is give your closest store a call and visit to get your Paytm FASTag
When you buy a FASTag using any of the above mentioned modes, you have to make a FASTag payment for the fee of getting the tag. Listed below are the detailed fees and charges for buying FASTag on Paytm app / website-
| Vehicle Category | Type of Vehicle | Refundable Deposit | FASTag Security Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Class 4 | Car/Jeep/Van | NIL | Rs. 250 |
| Vehicle Class 5 | Light Commercial Vehicle 2-axle | Rs. 99 | Re. 1 |
| Vehicle Class 6 | Bus 3- axle | Rs. 99 | Re. 1 |
| Vehicle Class 6 | Truck 3-axle | Rs. 99 | Re. 1 |
| Vehicle Class 7 | Bus 2-axle/ Mini-Bus | Rs. 99 | Re. 1 |
| Vehicle Class 7 | Truck 2-axle | Rs. 99 | Re. 1 |
| Vehicle Class 12 | Truck 6-axle | Rs. 99 | Re. 1 |
| Vehicle Class 12 | Tractor/Tractor with trailer | Rs. 99 | Re. 1 |
| Vehicle Class 12 | Truck 4-axle | Rs. 99 | Re. 1 |
| Vehicle Class 12 | Truck 5-axle | Rs. 99 | Re. 1 |
| Vehicle Class 15 | Truck 7-axle & above | Rs. 99 | Re. 1 |
| Vehicle Class 16 | Earth Moving/Heavy Construction Machinery | Rs. 99 | Re. 1 |
Apart from the above charges, FASTag buyers are required to pay the following charges against their NPCI vehicle class-
| Fees | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tag Issuance Fee (One-time) | Rs. 100 (Rs. 84.75 + Rs. 15. 25; Fee + GST) |
| Tag Reissuance Fee | Rs. 100 (Inclusive of GST) |
It is important to note that apart from the above mentioned charges, Paytm does not ask for any other additional expenses for buying FASTag from its users. However, there is a re-issuance fee of Rs. 100 that must be paid by the users for re-issuing the FASTag. Paytm does not even charge any convenience fee for adding money to your FASTag wallet or for maintaining your FASTag.
FASTag Payment at Toll Plaza
When you buy a FASTag, you have to stick it to the windshield of your four-wheeler. Here’s what happens after you are done with installing the tag on your vehicle-
- The FASTag is linked to the user’s prepaid account such as Paytm
- With the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, the toll amount is deducted from the linked prepaid account, such as a Paytm wallet
- The technology works such that the vehicle does not have to stop at the toll gate; the amount gets deducted as the vehicle passes through it
- Your prepaid FASTag account, which could be your Paytm wallet, for instance, will then be debited for the transaction; which eventually makes users’ travel easier and comfortable
Let’s take an example to understand this better-
Every FASTag is linked to a prepaid account, such as Paytm Wallet. Right when you buy a Paytm FASTag, it gets automatically linked to your Paytm Wallet. To enable the FASTag facility, you need to fit the tag on your vehicle. As you activate your Paytm FASTag, it will automatically be visible in the ‘Manage FASTag’ section of your Paytm mobile application. Now, to use the Paytm FASTag facility, you need to add money to your Paytm wallet, and the required transaction amount will be deducted from your Paytm balance as your vehicle passes through the FASTag-enabled toll plaza.
It must be noted that, unlike other prepaid wallets that require you to recharge your FASTag before you make a transaction, Paytm deducts the toll tax amount directly from your Paytm wallet. So, all you need to do is maintain a balance in your Paytm wallet and you can easily stay away from the hassle of recharging your FASTag every now and then.
Can you Use your Paytm Account for FASTag Payment?
Once your FASTag application process is successfully completed, your FASTag account will be created and automatically linked to your Paytm wallet. You won’t have to face the hassle of recharging your FASTag every now and then. If you link your FASTag to your Paytm wallet, the toll tax amount will directly be deducted from your Paytm wallet as and when you cross a toll booth.
Additionally, through the Paytm wallet, you can use the same FASTag for multiple vehicles, if you own any. Using the Paytm wallet for your FASTag-related transactions will make it easier for you as you won’t have to recharge your FASTag again and again. All you need is a minimum balance in your Paytm wallet and the toll tax amount would directly be deducted from your wallet as and when you cross a toll plaza.
Having a single Paytm wallet for multiple needs will help you manage your balances and keep a detailed track of all your travel-related expenses, whether fuel, purchases at departmental stores, or expenses made at toll plazas.
