Drivers Beware: One Mistake with Your FASTag Can Cost You Double at Tolls

Drivers who don’t properly stick their FASTags on the windshields of their vehicles may face a permanent ban on using them. This decision has been taken because many people have been misusing FASTags by keeping them loose or handing them to toll operators instead of fixing them to their cars. This kind of misuse causes traffic jams at toll booths and sometimes arguments between drivers and toll workers.

The company that manages toll collections on highways, IHMCL, has asked toll workers, road builders, and other officials to report such cases. These “loose tags” or “tags-in-hand” are causing many problems despite repeated warnings.

Reports say that this practice leads to long queues because toll workers have to handle the tags manually. It also causes errors, fraud, and problems in toll systems. Some users even make false payment complaints or misuse toll tags issued to people who don’t have to pay toll fees.

This action is important as NHAI is planning to bring in a system where cars can move freely across toll gates without stopping, called multi-lane free flow tolling. For that, the system needs to be reliable and free from misuse.

Toll operators have also been asked to check for misuse of “exempted FASTags.” These tags are only meant for people who are officially allowed to skip toll payments, such as certain government vehicles. But now, even these are being wrongly used.

What Does It Mean When a FASTag Is Blacklisted?

FASTag is an electronic system that helps drivers pay tolls without using cash. When a FASTag is blacklisted, it means the tag has been stopped by the company or bank that gave it to you. If your tag is blacklisted, you won’t be able to pay tolls using it.

Why Can a FASTag Be Blacklisted?

There are several reasons why your FASTag can get blocked or blacklisted:

1. Low Balance:
If there’s not enough money in your FASTag account, it can be blocked. Always check and recharge your tag on time.

2. Toll Violation Penalties:
If you’ve broken any toll rules and didn’t pay the penalty, your tag might be blacklisted. It’s important to pay all dues quickly.

3. Rule Breaking:
Using FASTag on the wrong vehicle, or giving it to someone else, is not allowed. This can also lead to blacklisting.

4. Fraud or Suspicious Activity:
If the company sees strange activity in your account, like too many changes or unknown payments, they may block the tag for safety.

FASTag Blocked Even If Balance Is Full?

Sometimes, even when your wallet has money, the tag may still be blocked. This can happen if police or a government agency has blocked it. In such cases, you must contact the bank or company that gave you the tag. They will tell you the exact reason.

How Can You Unblock Your FASTag?

First, find out why your tag is blocked. Then fix the problem. Make sure to do this before traveling on the highway. If your FASTag doesn’t work, you will need to pay double the toll amount in cash. So it’s better to keep your tag active and your account full.