FASTag, is an electronic toll collection system, operated by National Highways Authority of India(NHAI), which offers online prepaid service to its users where their toll charges can be made on online and allows them to enjoy the luxury of not needing to wait in the toll gates and do manual transactios.

FASTag, a tag like the name suggests, employs RFID - Radio Frequency Identification technology, where the tags linked to prepaid savings accounts and are commonly affixed to car windshields. The RFID signals are scanned by tollgate plazas' scanners and the vehicle will be allowed to pass if the account was recharged, thus avoiding any manual transactions and delays in waiting.

The minimum recharge amount will be Rs. 100 and can be done online. As per NHAI, FASTag has unlimited validaty. And 7.5% cashback offers were allotted to promote the use of FASTag. FASTags are issued by certified banks and agencies and can be linked to a bank account or a prepaid wallet for automatic recharge.

Benefits:

• Convenience: Saves time as vehicles do not need to stop at toll plazas.
• Cashless: Reduces the dependency on cash transactions.
• Environmentally friendly: Helps in reducing carbon footprint by reducing traffic congestion.
• Nationwide usability: Valid at all toll plazas under the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) program.

Availability: FASTags can be obtained from various banks, online platforms, and at select toll plazas across the country.

Penalties: There are penalties for not having a FASTag while using a FASTag lane, which vary depending on the type of vehicle.