Loose FASTag? NHAI to Blacklist, Impose Penalty

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken a major step to make the toll collection system more transparent and secure. In a move aimed at curbing misuse, NHAI has decided to take strict action against ‘Loose FASTags’—that is, FASTags that are not affixed to the vehicle’s windshield and are instead being handheld for scanning at toll plazas. This decision is expected to impact millions of drivers and passengers travelling on highways across the country.

As per NHAI’s new directive, if a driver is found using a FASTag in hand instead of placing it on the designated windshield area of the vehicle, the tag will be immediately blacklisted. This new rule is being implemented as part of the updated 2025 guidelines. The aim is to eliminate irregularities or fraud in the tolling process and ensure the system is fully automated and reliable.

What Is a Loose FASTag and Why Is It Being Banned?

Loose FASTags refer to those tags that are not permanently fixed to the vehicle’s windshield but are instead used manually by holding them during toll payments. This temporary practice has been widely misused, especially in trucks and heavy vehicles. In many instances, a single FASTag is being used across multiple vehicles, leading to major disruptions and fraudulent transactions in the toll system.

According to NHAI, the use of Loose FASTags has led to a rise in cases of tag tampering, incorrect toll deductions, chargeback requests, and refund complaints. These issues have significantly impacted the transparency and reliability of the toll collection process, prompting the need for a stricter policy.

Why Was This Strict Decision Necessary?

NHAI has enforced this crackdown on Loose FASTags due to several pressing concerns:

• A sharp rise in misuse and fraudulent activities involving FASTags
• Using tags from smaller vehicles on heavy-duty vehicles, leading to underpayment and significant revenue losses for state authorities and toll operators
• Reduced system transparency at toll plazas, with increased need for manual verification, resulting in traffic congestion
• Disruption of the unique identification and automatic payment mechanism, causing technical glitches and transaction disputes

To address these issues and restore full transparency and reliability, NHAI had to implement a tough policy.

Scope and Enforcement of the New FASTag Policy

• NHAI has instructed all toll agencies and concessionaires to report any instance of Loose FASTag immediately and ensure that such tags are blacklisted without delay.
• Once blacklisted, the FASTag will be rendered invalid across all toll plazas nationwide.
• Vehicle owners will then be required to purchase a new FASTag and may also face penalties for violating the rules.

The objective is to enforce discipline in the FASTag system and eliminate all forms of misuse.

Who Will Be Affected?

• Vehicle owners whose FASTags are not properly affixed to the windshield
• Individuals who repeatedly use the same tag across different vehicles
• Drivers who attempt to pass through toll plazas by displaying the tag in their hands

What Happens After a FASTag Is Blacklisted?

• The blacklisted FASTag is instantly deactivated and becomes non-functional at all toll plazas
• If a vehicle passes through a toll booth without a valid FASTag, it will be charged double the toll fee, along with an additional penalty
• While purchasing a new tag, the user must adhere to all official requirements, including valid KYC documentation and accurate vehicle information
• Tags may also be blacklisted in cases of low balance, mismatch between vehicle and tag data, incorrect vehicle classification, or failure to affix the tag on the windshield

Common Reasons for FASTag Blacklisting

• Mismatch between vehicle class and tag
• Failure to affix the tag on the windshield
• Using the tag by hand or in another vehicle
• Pending or inaccurate KYC details

What’s New in the Updated Policy?

• ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ Rule: A FASTag will now be valid for only one vehicle. Tags cannot be shared across multiple vehicles.
• Mandatory KYC: FASTags without valid KYC will be deactivated. All users must update their KYC by March 2025.
• Recharge and Balance Alert: Users with low balance or failure to recharge will face an additional ₹100 penalty, along with the toll fee.
• Queue Length Cap: Vehicle queues at toll plazas should not exceed 100 metres, to ensure swift transactions and better traffic flow.

Exemption Categories

Certain government and special service vehicles (such as those of the President, Prime Minister, judiciary, armed forces, emergency services, and paramilitary units) are exempt from FASTag charges and toll fees.

What Should Vehicle Owners Do?

• Always affix the FASTag properly on the vehicle’s windshield to enable automatic scanning
• Avoid sharing or using the tag on more than one vehicle
• Regularly update KYC information and maintain sufficient balance to avoid blacklisting

The Road Ahead

NHAI is also working on launching satellite-based tolling and digital tracking technologies in the near future. These advanced systems will further reduce the scope for fraud and ensure smoother toll transactions.

Conclusion

Following NHAI’s crackdown on Loose FASTags, all highway users are strongly advised to properly affix their FASTags to the windshield and fully comply with the toll system regulations.

If any irregularity is found—such as displaying the tag by hand, using it incorrectly, or failing to affix it—such tags will be immediately blacklisted. This could also attract penalties and require the vehicle owner to obtain a new tag.

NHAI has made it clear that violations not only disrupt traffic flow but also invite financial consequences. Therefore, vehicle owners must adhere to the new guidelines and contribute to a transparent and efficient toll payment system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Also Read

• Delhi Fuel Ban to Retire 15 Legendary Cars by Nov 2025