As of February 17, 2025, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) published some new rules related to FASTag (India’s electronic toll collection system) to improve the overall payment experience of drivers at tolls, overhaul efficiency, and reduce fraud. Therefore, every traveler must know the updated rules to avoid penalties and ensure smooth travel across national highways.
To make things clear and easily understandable, here we have aggregated down the changes done to the FASTag system that includes new transaction validation rules, penalties for blacklisted tags, and essential updates regarding chargebacks and delays.
1. Improved FASTag Transaction Validation
This new rule will validate users’ transactions based on their Tag status. This means if the tag is blocked or blacklisted or has a low balance, the transaction might be declined.
2. FASTags Inactive for 60 Minutes?
If a transaction presented on FASTag has not been active for more than 60 minutes before and 10 minutes after toll scanning, it will be declined. The reason code for declined transactions will now be 176. Official Notification
3. Double Charges for Blacklisted FASTags
This FASTag change needs to be avoided because if your FASTag is blacklisted, then while passing through a toll, you will cost double the regular toll fees. Hence, make sure your FASTag is up-to-date to avoid these penalties.
4. FASTag Penalty Refunds
Suppose you crossed the Toll scan and paid a penalty due to a blacklisted FASTag then you can request a refund if you top up your FASTag within 10 minutes of the transaction.
5. Avoid Delayed Toll Charges
You may face additional charges if your FASTag transaction is processed more than 15 minutes after passing through the toll. Be mindful of transaction times to avoid these fees.
6. 15-day Cooling Period for Chargebacks
Banks now have a 15-day cooling period before raising chargebacks for incorrect deductions. This ensures a more streamlined process.
7. Chargeback Rejection
If you attempt a chargeback within 15 days of the transaction, your request will be automatically rejected, with error code 5290 being shown. Official Notification
8. When to File a FASTag Chargeback
For any incorrect FASTag Charges, users must wait about 15 days before filing the claim and make sure all the claims are legitimate.
9. Toll Operator Liable for Delayed Transactions and Unpaid Fees
If a FASTag transaction is delayed and unpaid, the toll operator will bear the loss, ensuring users are not unfairly penalized.
10. New Penalties for Late FASTag Transactions
FASTag transactions processed more than 15 minutes after passing the toll booth will attract penalties.
Ending Note:
To Avoid Issues with New FASTag Rules
- Maintain a Sufficient Balance so that there will be no transaction failure.
- Check and ensure Tag Status is not blacklisted before traveling if you need to cross some toll.
- Monitor Transaction Times to ensure they are done on time.
