The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has implemented a new rule from July 11, 2025. Now if the FASTag is not properly affixed to the vehicle’s windshield, they will be immediately blacklisted.
Such FASTags will be put in the ‘loose FASTag’ category and action will be taken. NHAI said that some people deliberately do not affix the FASTag on the vehicle’s windshield, but scan it manually when they reach the toll. This leads to congestion at the toll, system glitches and sometimes wrong transactions. NHAI said in a press note, now toll agencies and contractors have been instructed that if any vehicle tries to pay the toll with a loose FASTag, then send a report immediately. On receiving the report, that FASTag will be immediately blacklisted or hotlisted.
Why do people do this?
It is necessary to put the FASTag on the vehicle’s windshield, but some people keep it in their hands to cheat the system. Like trying to pay less toll by putting the FASTag of a small vehicle on a big truck. Changing the tags in different vehicles to change the calculation of the toll. Trying to cross the toll without paying the charge. In such cases, the problem of chargeback or refund from the bank also arises.
Loose FASTag slows down the FASTag system. Sometimes people pay less toll by using the wrong category tag, which causes losses to the government and the toll company. If scanned manually, the line at the toll increases and the advantage of automatic tolling is lost. In such cases, sometimes there are fights at the toll. There is a problem of long lines. Therefore, the best way for honest vehicle owners is to properly affix the FASTag on the vehicle’s windshield.
Why is it difficult to identify a loose FASTag?
Currently, toll scanners at many locations only read the data on the tag. They are unable to identify whether the tag is affixed to the same vehicle or not. If ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) technology is fully implemented, identification may be easier, but currently many vehicles do not have ANPR number plates or they are not affixed properly. In some states, it is not even mandatory to affix ANPR plates.
What will be the impact on vehicle owners?
If your FASTag is not affixed on the toll booth and you are caught scanning it in your hand, NHAI can immediately blacklist your FASTag. Once blacklisted, the FASTag will not work on tolls and you will have to pay the toll in cash. Getting a new FASTag will cost both time and money. Therefore, always affix the FASTag properly on the vehicle’s windshield. Avoid showing the FASTag by holding it in your hand, otherwise your FASTag may be blacklisted and you may face difficulty while travelling.
