FASTag Annual Pass: The biggest problem for vehicle owners traveling on highways in India has always been the long queues at toll plazas and the waste of time. The solution to this problem was introduced by the government in the form of FASTag a few years ago. This technology became the fastest and most convenient way to deduct tax without stopping at the toll plaza. The tax is automatically deducted from the RFID sticker on the windscreen of the vehicle, and the driver does not need to take out cash from their pocket.
But frequent balance recharge and money deduction at different rates were a cause of trouble for many vehicle owners. To eliminate this inconvenience, the central government has introduced a new annual FASTag pass, which has given great news of relief to the passengers.
New rule implemented from 15 August
This new annual pass has been implemented across the country since Independence Day 2025. The most special thing about this is that by doing a one-time recharge of just Rs 3,000, vehicle owners can make a full year, i.e., 12 months or a maximum of 200 trips. Whichever is completed first, that limit will be considered.
This means that now you will not need to pay a separate fee at the toll plaza every time or add money to the FASTag wallet again and again.
How will trips be counted?
The government has also given a clear rule for counting the trip. Crossing any toll plaza will be considered one trip. If you go from Delhi to Agra and return on the same day, then it will be considered two trips. At the same time, entry and exit at closed toll plazas like expressways will be considered one trip.
What if 200 trips end early?
Suppose you took an annual pass on 15 August 2025 and completed 200 trips in 3 months while traveling daily, then your pass will be considered expired. To travel again, you will have to get a new annual pass again and pay Rs 3,000 again for this. There is no discount or adjustment facility in this.
What if 200 trips are not completed in a year?
Many vehicle owners have a question that if they are unable to complete 200 trips, will the remaining balance be added next year? On this, the government has clearly said that the annual pass will be valid only for 1 year. Meaning if your pass is expiring on 15 August 2026 and your 200 trips are not completed by then, then the remaining trips will be automatically cancelled. Next year, you will have to get a new pass.
At which toll plazas will the pass be valid?
Right now, this facility is available only at the toll plazas of national highways. That is, if you are traveling from Delhi to Mumbai, Chennai to Bengaluru, or any other national highway route, then this pass will be beneficial for you. But this facility has not yet been implemented on state highways and local toll roads. This pass will not work on routes like Meerut Expressway and Yamuna Expressway as of now.
Which vehicles will get this facility?
The annual FASTag pass will currently be valid only for non-commercial vehicles like cars, jeeps, and vans. Commercial vehicles like taxis, cabs, buses, and trucks are not included in it. Toll tax will be collected from these vehicles as per the existing rules.
How much will you save?
Now the question arises that how much will you save with this pass? Generally, one has to pay Rs 50 to Rs 100 to cross the toll plaza once on national highways. If a vehicle crosses the toll 200 times and Rs 50 is deducted each time, then a total of Rs 10,000 will be spent in a year. On the other hand, if the toll is Rs 100, then this expense can reach up to Rs 20,000.
But by spending just Rs 3,000 on the annual pass, you can make 200 trips. This means that you will be able to save an average of Rs 7,000 to Rs 17,000. However, your savings will depend on how often you travel and the distance you travel.
Why is this scheme special?
This step of the government is especially beneficial for those who use the highway daily for work or personal reasons. Earlier, when the expenses used to increase due to different amounts being deducted at the toll plaza every time, now the whole year will be settled in just Rs 3,000.
This will not only save the time and money of the passengers but will also reduce the congestion at the toll plaza to a great extent.