New FASTag Rules Kick In: What Users Need to Know About Penalties And Deductions

New FASTag Rules: Starting today, February 17, 2025, several new FASTag rules will take effect, aimed at improving toll transaction efficiency and security. These updates, issued by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), are designed to streamline payments and prevent unnecessary deductions.

Changes in FASTag Rules:

1. As per NPCI's circular from January 28, 2025, transactions will be validated based on the time the tag is scanned and its status (hotlisted, low balance, or blacklisted).

2. Transactions on inactive FASTags for more than 60 minutes before or 10 minutes after scanning will be declined with reason code 176.

3. Blacklisted FASTags: If a FASTag is blacklisted at the toll, users will need to pay double the toll fee, and any incorrect deductions made on these tags can be resolved upon the tag being recharged.

4. Penalty Refund: Users can request a penalty refund if their FASTag is recharged within 10 minutes of scanning, providing a clear incentive to maintain sufficient balance.

5. Additional Charges: Additional charges may apply if toll transactions are processed more than 15 minutes after the vehicle passes the reader, preventing unnecessary delays.

6. Chargebacks: Banks can initiate chargebacks for incorrect deductions on blacklisted or low-balance FASTags only after a 15-day waiting period. This allows for thorough investigation into the transactions.

7. Delayed Transactions: If a toll payment is delayed due to insufficient balance, the loss will be borne by the toll operator, not the user, ensuring users are not penalized for system-related issues.

8. Additional Penalties: Delayed FASTag transactions beyond 15 minutes after passing the toll may result in additional penalties, maintaining a high level of efficiency.

How to Avoid Issues with FASTag:

- Ensure that your FASTag wallet maintains a sufficient balance to avoid rejection due to insufficient funds.
- Make sure your FASTag is active and not blacklisted to avoid potential issues during transactions.
- Keep a close eye on transaction timings to prevent delays.
- Regularly check your FASTag status to avoid rejection due to inactivity.

These new rules are set to enhance toll collection efficiency and improve the overall FASTag experience for users.