You are on a long trip with your family and cross your first highway. You try to pass but the toll operator stops your vehicle. Reason? You are told your FASTag is “blacklisted”. You are not eligible for an automatic deduction and must pay double the toll amount.
Such events are frustrating and not only cause travel delays but require you to pay extra. Want to know why this happens? The most common reasons for blacklisting a FASTag are:
- Insufficient FASTag account balance
- Violation of enforcement rules
- Expired or incomplete KYC
- Unauthorised use of the FASTag
In such cases, your FASTag gets suspended or blacklisted either temporarily or permanently by your issuing bank or NBFC. Consequently, this electronic tag placed on your windshield won’t be scanned and you will be required to pay manually.
Do you wish to remove your FASTag from the blacklist? In this article, let’s see how you can do it.
How to unblacklist your FASTag
To re-activate your FASTag, you must understand the exact reason for its blacklisting. For your reference, below is a list of some common issues and how you can deal with them:
1. Resolve law enforcement issues
There are chances that law enforcement has blacklisted your FASTag due to violations. For example:
- Say you are the owner of a commercial vehicle
- Instead, you bought a FASTag of a private vehicle and pasted it on your windshield.
Such acts lead to violation of traffic rules and lead to blacklisting of FASTag. You must address the specific issue immediately and resolve the violation by visiting the traffic department. Pay pending fines or provide documentation to show compliance.
2. Properly paste the FASTag on your windshield
FASTags must be affixed to the windshield near the rearview mirror for proper scanning. If your FASTag is blacklisted due to improper placement, peel off and re-paste the FASTag sticker correctly. If you need adhesives or cleaning cloth, purchase them from online marketplaces or physical stores.
Please note that without correct placement, toll systems can’t detect the tag. Hence, position your FASTag properly to get it activated.
3. Maintain sufficient balance
Immediately recharge your FASTag account to maintain adequate funds. Even if you are not a frequent traveller, it is recommended to keep some balance in your FASTag account.
As a tip for the future, keep regularly checking your balance and maintain a surplus.
4. Correct mismatched vehicle class
As per the current rules, your FASTag must match the vehicle’s class as per the Registration Certificate (RC) copy. If the vehicle’s class is mismatched, update the records with your service provider.
Contact their customer support team and schedule an appointment at the nearest FASTag service centre. Carry your RC and proof of class to rectify errors. Alternatively, you can either mail or upload the required documents.
5. Update expired or incomplete KYC
If your FASTag is blacklisted due to expired or incomplete KYC, submit updated documents to your service provider, like your:
- Aadhaar
- PAN
- Driver’s license
When you are again compliant with the regulatory requirements, your service provider will re-activate your FASTag by removing it from the blacklist.
6. Rectify vehicle registration details
Check if the vehicle registration details linked to your FASTag are accurate. In case of incorrect or outdated details, contact your service provider and update the information.
For this purpose, you will be requested a few documents, such as your RC or proof of correction.
7. Avoid FASTag misuse
If your FASTag is blacklisted due to misuse, stop transferring it between vehicles. Please note that each FASTag is unique and car-specific. In case, you have two vehicles, you must purchase two unique tags for each.
Conclusion
A blacklisted FASTag will require you to stand in long queues at the toll plazas and lead to extra costs. To avoid such issues, ensure:
- Your FASTag account always has a sufficient balance and
- The tag is properly placed on your windshield
Furthermore, regularly update your KYC and use the FASTag for the vehicle it is issued for. If blacklisted, identify the exact reason by contacting your service provider and address it promptly.
