New FASTag Rules: Is Your Tag Valid?

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has introduced new FASTag regulations to enhance security, streamline toll plaza operations, and prevent fraud. Key updates include mandatory KYC compliance and linking vehicle information to specific FASTags. NPCI’s new FASTag rules, effective from August, aim to improve toll plaza efficiency and security. Mandatory KYC updates, vehicle information linkage, and stringent database verification ensure seamless operations and reduced congestion, benefiting millions of FASTag users nationwide.

The regulations are designed to strengthen security, enhance the FASTag system’s efficiency, prevent fraud, and guarantee seamless operations at toll plazas.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has implemented new FASTag rules this month (August), aiming to reduce long queues and congestion at toll booths, thereby enhancing efficiency by streamlining the process. A new set of Know Your Customer (KYC) guidelines has been introduced, which must be complied with by October 31, 2024.

To ensure one FASTag is used by one specific car and not shared by other vehicles, it is now mandatory to link the vehicle’s registration number (VRN), chassis number and vehicle owner’s mobile number. It is now mandatory for three to five-year-old FASTag accounts to update their KYC details. All FASTags over five years old need to be replaced are they are invalid and need to apply for a new tag. The deadline to complete the details is October 31, 2024. Those who fail to comply with the new rules will get blacklisted.

For new car owners, the vehicle must be registered with a FASTag within 90 days of purchase. FASTag issuers and providers have to conduct a strict verification process by checking all the details submitted by the user. The information has to match the VAHAN database, India’s National Vehicle Registry. This process ensures that the data is updated in the FASTag.

To store accurate information to identify the FASTag, the providers need to take images of the vehicle from multiple angles like front, side and rear with the tag clearly affixed on the windshield.

The user’s mobile number has to be linked to the FASTag. By doing this, the FASTag provider can directly contact the user and share live updates and FASTag status notifications.