Don’t we all hate being stuck up at toll booths, especially when it could have been avoided? You could have passed through a toll plaza within a few seconds with your FASTag’s quick, smooth, and contactless toll payment. But instead, you are stopped, and your FASTag account is flagged with ‘low balance’, because you missed checking its balance and recharging it. So, how to check FASTag balance in India for a hassle-free road trip? You can do it in multiple ways — read more for details.

In this blog, we will explore

What is FASTag and how to get it?

FASTag is an electronic tag attached to your car or any four-wheeler, usually on the windscreen, for automatic deduction of toll charges. It is equipped with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Technology), which helps the RFID scanners at highway toll centres to scan and deduct the levied charges.

You can get FASTags from authorised banks, third-party payment apps, trusted e-commerce sites, and directly through toll or NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) booths. You need your RC (Registration Certificate) and other ID proofs like PAN or Aadhaar to apply.

After you receive your FASTag sticker, attach it and activate it at the FASTag provider’s site/app. Link with your bank account or any prepaid digital wallet for timely recharge. Once done, maintain sufficient balance, and FASTag scanners at toll plazas will easily do toll collection, without making you wait for long.

Also Read: How To Download RC Book Online?

How to check balance in FASTag?

You can check your FASTag balance through multiple ways, which we have listed below, along with the process you need to follow.

1. Check FASTag Balance Online on MyFASTag App

The process is straightforward; simply download the app and follow the basic steps.

  • Open the downloaded app and register with your details. Select the bank that issued your FASTag.
  • Enter the vehicle number, UPI ID linked with FASTag, and validate it to check your FASTag balance.
  • You can also recharge using the linked UPI ID if the balance is low.
  • You can also link multiple FASTag accounts, check their balances, recharge them, and view their toll transaction history.

2. FASTag Balance Check via Mobile No.

The NHAI provides Indian vehicle owners with a number for a FASTag balance check. Send a missed call at +91-8884333331 with your registered number, and you will get your FASTag balance updates via SMS.

3. FASTag Balance Check by SMS

Some banks that issue FASTags also provide mobile numbers to check the FASTag balance with a missed call. If they provide an SMS format for checking the balance, you can send an SMS for the same. You also receive an SMS of the transaction after every toll payment on your registered number. They may reflect your remaining balance in the FASTag account. You can also set SMS alerts for a low balance in your FASTag account. 

4. FASTag Balance Check by Whatsapp

Many FASTag provider banks also offer the facility of checking balance and getting updates on WhatsApp. You can send ‘Hi’ or the text as asked by the provider. You may get automated responses and options to share the relevant information, like your vehicle number. Once done, you can get messages with transaction updates or FASTag balance amount.

5. Check FASTag Balance on Your Online Banking App or Website

Many banks are authorised to issue a FASTag, and you can use their app or official website to check its balance.

  • Open the app or sign in to your online banking account. You can check your balance at your provider's app or site only.
  • You generally have a section for FASTag recharge/balance inquiry among many options. It can also be under the section of ‘Bills’, ‘Payments’, ‘Services’, etc.
  • You can check your balance here.

6. Use Third-Party Apps

Since some e-commerce sites and payment apps are also issuers of FASTag, they also provide the facility to check the balance and recharge. Here’s what to do -

  • Open the app from which you got your FASTag issued and go to its section.
  • You may have to enter certain details, for instance, vehicle number or FASTag bank account.
  • If the details are verified, your FASTag account will open up with balance details, and may show an option to recharge.

7. NHAI FASTag Balance Check by Vehicle Number

Vehicle owners can also check the balance in their FASTag account at the official site or app of the NHAI. You need to go to their NETC (National Electronic Toll Collection) portal and log in using your details. Enter the vehicle number, and the balance check page opens up.

Why is FASTag Balance Check Important? How to Recharge FASTag?

  • FASTags are for paying toll taxes, and hence, it’s kind of mandatory. A vehicle may pass one toll booth with a low FASTag balance, but you will have to stop at the next.
  • If a FASTag account continuously maintains a low balance or goes negative, the account can get blacklisted and temporarily deactivated.
  • Moreover, you don’t want your enjoyable drive to be interrupted at toll plazas for an insufficient balance. Check what happens when you don’t do a balance check and FASTag recharge before setting out on the highways.
  • FASTags were introduced to save time in place of manual and cash-based toll collection. But with a low balance, you get a longer waiting time, either paying with cash and receiving paper receipts, or first recharging the FASTag account and then getting scanned.
  • FASTags help the quick movement of vehicles from toll plazas, not just saving time but also preventing traffic bottlenecks. But when you get stuck up at the booth, you hold up the traffic behind, making cars stand in a queue. Do not complain if they start honking the horns!
  • You cause this roadblock, which could be prevented, and ruin your experience of a seamless road trip.

The FASTag recharge is as easy as checking the balance. You can recharge from the banks, third-party payment apps, or the MyFASTag app. When you do the balance check, you can also recharge your FASTag account.

Summing Up

FASTag balance check or FASTag recharge, both have never been easier than this, where you get to it through various options. From payment apps to bank portals, from missed calls to WhatsApp notifications, it’s all at your fingertips. So, avoid delays, penalties, and most importantly, a buzzkill to a thrilling road drive with sufficient FASTag balance.

FAQs

How to know FASTag recharge status, if it is successful or not?

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When you do a FASTag recharge, you may receive a transaction notification from your bank. Otherwise, you can check your FASTag balance, which will reflect the added amount.

What to do if my FASTag account is deactivated?

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In case your FASTag account is deactivated, you should contact your bank (linked to the FASTag account) and confirm the reason. Recharge if the balance is less than the required minimum amount, or update your documents if deactivation is due to the KYC norms.

What is the minimum balance required for FASTag?

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There is no minimum balance requirement for FASTag, although some banks may maintain their minimum balance requirement for a FASTag account.

When does a FASTag account get blacklisted?

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FASTag account can get blacklisted for several reasons, such as insufficient balance and unpaid toll taxes, no FASTag sticker on the car’s windshield, vehicle registration issue, mismatched vehicle class, misuse of FASTag, incomplete KYC, and any law violation or offence registered against the vehicle.

What to do if my FASTag is not working at the toll booth?

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Your FASTag may not work if there’s insufficient balance. If you have enough balance, but still FASTag is not working at toll booths, ask to re-scan. If it fails again, check for physical damage to the sticker or see if the account is active or not. Pay the toll then through offline ways, and contact your FASTag issuer for problem resolution.

What to do if there is a double or wrong toll deduction from my FASTag account?

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You can contact your FASTag issuer’s customer support number or email them about the wrong toll deduction. You can also resolve it at the toll booth.