10 Second rule on Toll Plaza for FASTag Users

Road traffic has increased exponentially in the last couple of years. Let alone cities where all the major roads witness extreme congestion during the peak hours, you can sometimes find a long line waiting to be cleared even on national highways. It is not due to an increase in traffic but on account of poor road management.

Sometimes we see people waiting for hours at the toll gate. It is nothing but extremely irritating. Now, with most cars using FASTag, the waiting time has been slashed. In addition, more than 96% of toll plazas accept FASTag payments. In May 2021, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) introduced the 10-second rule on toll plazas for FASTag users. But, what exactly is this FASTag 10-second rule? Let’s dig deeper and learn more about FASTag rules.

What is a FASTag?

Developed by the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC), a FASTag scanner is a device that is usually installed at toll gates to ensure cashless payments on cars and other four-wheelers. It uses RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology to make sure that car drivers don’t have to get down at the toll booth and that cashless payment could be done within a few seconds. This not only helps in seamless traffic flow but also reduces the wastage of time due to the manual collection of toll taxes.

As per the FASTag new rules of 2021, it is mandatory for car drivers or owners to have FASTag on their vehicles. Today, most of the toll lanes on national highways across the country have been converted into FASTag lanes. Using the FASTag technology, not only saves people their travel time and helps cut down on fuel expenses, but they can also enjoy a hassle-free driving experience. It would also help them keep a tab on all the expenses done on toll taxes within a specific time.

Frequent travellers can also apply online for monthly or regular FASTag passes so that they don’t have to pay every time they pass through a toll plaza.

Also Read: Everything you need to know about FASTag

Quick brief on the FASTag 10 Second Rule

The general rule implemented by the National Highway Authority of India implies that the toll booth shouldn’t spend more than 10 seconds of time per vehicle even during peak hours. And in case, you are spending more than 10 seconds at the toll plaza to do your cashless payment, the toll authority will not be entitled to charge any kind of toll from you. In such cases, they will have to let the car go without any toll tax. Other rules for FASTag issued by the National Highway Authority of India include:

• The queues of vehicles should not be more than 100 meters. It ensures a smooth flow of traffic throughout the day
• A yellow line will be marked at every toll plaza of a national highway 100 meters from the toll booth
• No toll can be collected if the waiting time is more than 10 seconds, or the queue goes beyond the 100-metre line

The government has issued these FASTag rules and regulations strictly to ensure minimal waiting time. Also, the Indian government is working on a structure wherein the toll would be collected at the toll plaza just by using the car’s number plate. This also implies that in future, the FASTag system will no longer be a part of the toll collection structure.

Also Read: How to recharge FASTag with vehicle number?

How to get a FASTag offline?

Doing FASTag recharge online is an easy process as all you need to do is visit the website of a bank or other authorised FASTag partner and fill in the required information. In this case, the FASTag will be delivered to your home in not more than 5 working days.

However, to buy FASTag offline, you need to visit an NHAI FASTag sale point. Then, the representative there will guide you through the process. You can use MY FASTag App to locate a nearby sales point. Make sure you have all the important details of your vehicle with you. This includes registration certificate, ID proof, and other such details to get your KYC done. You would also need your passport size photographs during the process.

How to Recharge FASTag using the Airtel Thanks App

If you are looking for the fastest way to recharge your FASTag account, the Airtel Thanks App is perfect for you. It is available both on Google Play Store and AppStore. Whether you are an Airtel user or not, you can use the Airtel Thanks App for various services.

• Once you have downloaded the app, create an account using your mobile number.
• Post registration, go to the ‘Pay’ tab given at the bottom of the landing page.
• Now, under ‘Recharge & Pay Bills’, click on ‘FASTag recharge’. You will be redirected to the biller’s page.
• Select your biller (FASTag bank) and enter your vehicle registration number.
• Now, you are good to recharge your FASTag account using various payment methods.

You can also add money to the Airtel Wallet for a faster and easier payment option.