FASTag is a digital toll collection system that supports cashless payments and eliminates congestion and queues at toll plazas. Introduced in India in 2014, the system was widely accepted among consumers due to its convenience. In 2021, the government made FASTag mandatory for all four-wheelers crossing a toll plaza, without which travellers must pay double the regular toll charges. So, learning the FASTag recharge procedure is essential to keep the wheels rolling without hassle.
What is FASTag Recharge?
FASTag is a magnetic sticker you must link with your bank account or prepaid wallet and affix to the middle of your windscreen. Whenever your vehicle passes a toll booth, an RFID scanner deducts the toll tax from the account or wallet linked with the FASTag. So, you must ensure that your FASTag wallet has sufficient balance to pay the charges as you pass a toll booth. The process of topping up the wallet with money is called FASTag recharge.
Various Ways of FASTag Recharge Online
Below are the various ways to recharge your FASTag online:
Via Your Bank’s Net Banking
You can use your bank’s net banking facility for FASTag recharge online. These are the steps to follow:
- Log in to your net banking account.
- Under ‘Bills and Recharge’, select ‘Continue’.
- Under ‘Pay’, select ‘FASTag’.
- Enter your vehicle registration number or wallet ID.
- Click ‘Pay’
- Your current wallet balance will appear on your screen.
- Enter the recharge amount.
- Enter your transaction password and OTP to complete the transaction.
Via a Digital Wallet
Below are the steps to recharge FASTag with a digital wallet on your smartphone:
- Open your digital wallet app.
- Find the option for FASTag recharge.
- Selecting the issuing bank from the dropdown menu.
- Enter your vehicle registration number.
- Select the recharge amount and complete the payment using your net banking, debit card, credit card, UPI, etc.
- You may also recharge FASTag using the existing balance in your digital wallet.
Via UPI
You can recharge your FASTag via a UPI app like Amazon Pay, Google Pay, Paytm, PhonePe, etc. To complete the FASTag recharge, follow these steps:
- Open a UPI app on your smartphone.
- Select ‘Pay by UPI ID’.
- Enter the UPI ID and your vehicle registration number.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to recharge the FASTag using UPI and complete the process.
Via Mobile Banking
Recharging the FASTag using mobile banking is another convenient option. These are the steps to follow:
- Login through the bank’s mobile banking app.
- Select Pay, then the Bill Payment option.
- Select the FASTag icon from the biller type.
- Enter your vehicle registration Number or Wallet ID.
- Select Continue.
- Review the entered details, check the terms and conditions box, and select ‘Confirm’.
- Recharge the FASTag Wallet using internet banking or another compatible method with the desired recharge amount.
Via iMobile Pay App
The simplest method for FASTag recharge online is the ICICI iMobile Pay app. Follow these instructions to use this recharge option:
- Open the ICICI iMobile Pay app on your mobile phone and log in.
- Select “Bills & Recharges”.
- Click FASTag.
- Enter your vehicle registration number or Wallet ID.
- Click Continue.
- Enter the recharge amount and confirm the details to complete the transaction.
Via FASTag App
You may also recharge your FASTag balance through the official FASTag app. Follow these instructions to complete the transaction:
- Download the FASTag app on an iPhone or Android device.
- Select the recharge option.
- Enter your vehicle registration number.
- Complete the FASTag recharge using net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI.
Via Standing Instruction for Automatic Recharge
Rather than recharging the FASTag at frequent intervals, you can set a standing instruction to recharge the tag automatically whenever the balance goes low. These are the steps to follow:
- Open and log in to the ICICI iMobile Pay app.
- Select ‘ICICI FASTag’ from the dashboard.
- Turn on ‘Auto Recharge’ for the linked vehicle.
- Enter your vehicle registration number and set an amount for automatic recharge. For instance, you may set a standing instruction to automatically recharge the FASTag with Rs. 2000 whenever the FASTag balance goes below Rs. 100.
- Enter your account number from where you want to recharge the FASTag.
- Confirm.
Apart from these FASTag recharge online methods, you can also recharge the tag offline using any of the following methods:
- At a toll plaza mechanical terminal by paying in cash or card
- At a fuel pump that accepts FASTag payments
- At a parking lot with FASTag-enabled facilities
- At a bank branch via cash or card
Benefits of FASTag Recharge Online
FASTag recharge online is beneficial due to the following reasons:
- Quick recharge from any location in minutes via net banking, UPI, mobile app, etc.
- 24/7 access for emergencies or unexpected trips outside working hours
- Facility to set a standing instruction and avoid running out of FASTag balance
- Instant tag activation for seamless travel without payment failures
- Multiple FASTag wallets under one tag for various family trips
- Check balance, payment history, and transactions on mobile devices.
Things to Consider Before FASTag Recharge
Before recharging your FASTag, it’s important to consider several factors to ensure a smooth and efficient process. Here are the considerations which can help you manage your toll payments effectively.
- Maintain balance in the FASTag wallet to avoid payment failures.
- Monitor FASTag history and statements to avoid errors.
- Recharge at least a few days before the trip.
- Update vehicle and KYC documents whenever the issuer demands.
- Inform the bank whenever you sell the vehicle to close the FASTag wallet.
- Look for credit card reward programs to earn benefits with FASTag recharge.
- Call your bank’s customer care centre for any queries or complaints.
With a wide range of FASTag recharge options, you can recharge your wallet immediately without hassle. Whether you recharge the FASTag using net banking, mobile app, UPI, or another mode of payment, you will enjoy the utmost security and convenience by maintaining an adequate FASTag balance. Timely recharge ensures seamless travel without long queues at toll plazas.