New FASTag Rules: The new FASTag regulations came into force on the first of February 2021. According to a directorate of NPCI dated January 28, FASTag payments will now be verified within a stipulated time beginning from the tag being scanned at a toll plaza.
What Is New FASTag Rules?
FASTag is an electronic toll collection system that facilitates cashless payments at toll plazas. It utilizes Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to allow automatic deduction of toll charges from a linked bank account, prepaid wallet, or payment application. A FASTag sticker is affixed to the vehicle’s windshield.
When the vehicle approaches the toll booth, the RFID sensor reads the tag and charges the linked account, after which the barrier opens and the vehicle passes through.
FASTag New Rules
Blacklisted FASTags- No Transactions Allowed
If a FASTag is blacklisted, hotlisted, or is marked as a low balance more than 60 minutes before reaching the toll plaza, the transaction will fail. If a tag remains blacklisted for 10 minutes in the FASTag from the time of scanning, the payment will fail as well.
In both instances, the transaction will be denied by the system with error code 176, and the vehicle will incur double the penalty for the toll fee.
Grace Period for Recharging ( Fastag Rules)
Users now have a 70-minute window in which to rectify their FASTag status before reaching the toll plaza.
Another feature of the new guidelines is the option for users to request a penalty refund if they recharge their FASTag within 10 minutes of an attempted transaction and pay only the regular toll charge.
Delayed Transactions- Extra Charges
In some instances, charges will be applied to the users for any clicks performed more than 15 mins after the toll reader.
Chargebacks- Cooling Period Introduced
The banks can raise disputes/chargeback requests for wrong deductions arising from blacklisted or low-balance FASTags only after a cooling period of 15 days.
What This Means for FASTag Users
No last-minute recharge will save you from rejection- If the FASTag was blacklisted more than 60 minutes prior to arriving at the toll, a recharge could not be done at the last moment.
Penalty refund possible- If FASTags are recharged within 10 minutes of being scanned, users will be able to ask for a penalty refund so that they don’t finally end up paying double the toll charge.
Highly monitored transactions- Users must ensure that their FASTags stay active to prevent delays, extra charges, or rejection at the toll gates.
Dos and Don’ts in Order to Prevent FASTag Problems
- Never allow your FASTag to run low on balance.
- Keep checking FASTag status so as to avoid blacklisting.
- Track the time of transactions to check for delay in deductions.
- Keep FASTag active so that it is not rejected at toll plazas.
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