Did you buy FASTag sticker for your 4-wheeler? Starting from 16th February 2021 onwards, it was made mandatory to make the toll payments via the FASTag system at all the toll booths across India. For this, all the private vehicles must purchase the FASTag for making the digital payments for toll. To use the FASTag feature, it is crucial to understand its standard operating process to detect the correct lane.
When approaching any NHAI toll booth, identification of FASTag lanes is important by finding the FASTag symbol or logo. FASTag lane can be detected by locating the lane with an extended separator or island. Dedicated FASTag lanes usually begin from around 70 metres before the toll booth. FASTag banners and signboards may be installed on the lane for identification. Few toll booths might be equipped with a dedicated FASTag lane, which are marked separately owing to its temporary nature. Booths of such lanes usually have an improper canopy or plaza building.
How does a FASTag scanner work?
A FASTag scanner is an important device installed at the toll plazas that allows cashless payment of the toll taxes. So, when you pass a toll booth, you do not have to stop your 4-wheeler for cash payment of the toll tax. Instead, you can continue driving through the plaza and allow the scanner at the booth to read your FASTag sticker. Upon successful scanning, the toll amount is automatically paid.
A FASTag scanner reads the sticker while your 4-wheeler is in motion by sending a signal to your FASTag sticker. The signal requests payment of the toll, which instantly is deducted from your FASTag wallet. However, it is crucial that you get your FASTag linked with your prepaid wallet, to allow successful digital payment at the plaza. The FASTag process to link your prepaid wallet is simple. You just need to install the prepaid wallet app and follow the step-by-step process to register your FASTag account.
Stepwise process as how a FASTag sticker works at the toll booth
- When approaching the toll booth at the dedicated FASTag lane, you must slow down a little to check for the FASTag signal.
- You must enter in the right FASTag lane at around 25-30 kmph speed and maintain nearly 10 metres distance from other vehicles ahead of you.
- If the RFID tag is scanned and authenticated by the FASTag scanner in the designated lane of the toll booth, then you will find a green traffic light to guide you out of the lane.
- Avoid stopping your vehicle once you get the green signal or after the barrier opens. Taking a lot of time at this point, might lead the barrier to fall again.
- In case the FASTag is not validated, then the traffic light will be red. At this point, you must slow down because the boom barrier might come down. Officials at the toll booth will check the FASTag sticker with the assistance of a handheld detector. If the handheld detector validates the tag, your vehicle will be permitted to cross the plaza. However, in case the tag is not validated, you will require paying the toll tax in cash form.
Ending note
RFID technology in FASTag uses the EPC (Electronic Produce Code) via which it uniquely identifies every vehicle. As FASTag is a mandatory facility, ensure to purchase it as soon as possible to avoid steep penalties. In case you don’t know how to get FASTag registration done, don’t worry. The process of FASTag registration is simple. You can either visit a bank that offers the FASTag service for registration or download a digital payment app to avail this service.
