How to Close and Deactivate Your Old FASTag Account: A Complete Guide

FASTag is an electronic toll collection system in India, operated by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). It works on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly from the prepaid or savings account linked to the toll owner The tag is pasted on the vehicle’s windshield which allows for a smooth payment directly from the account as the vehicle passes across the toll plaza.

As of January 2023, there were over 6.4 crore FASTags issued in India. In 2022, the Government of India collected ₹50,855 crore in tolls, marking a substantial increase from ₹34,778 crore in 2021.

Beyond facilitating toll payments, FASTag keeps a record of all your toll payments and recharges, making it a convenient digital payment method.

How Fastag Works

The functioning of Fastag is simple and effective at the same time. Each Fastag is embedded with a unique identification number and linked to a prepaid account. When a vehicle approaches a toll plaza, about to cross the toll gate, the RFID scanner scans the Fastag and communicates with the central server to deduct the appropriate amount for the respective vehicles. The entire process is automated, allowing vehicles to pass through toll plazas with minimum waiting time or without stopping or with minimal stop.

Now let us understand how to Close and Deactivate Your Old FASTag Account

Why You Should Turn Off Your Old FASTag Account:

• Security: If your old FASTag is still active, someone could misuse it and make unauthorized transactions.
• Selling or Transferring Your Vehicle

Deactivate the FASTag when you sell or transfer your vehicle.

If you don’t, the new owner might use it, causing unauthorized charges

• Lost or Damaged FASTag

Deactivate your FASTag if it’s lost or damaged to prevent misuse.

This protects your linked bank account or prepaid wallet from unauthorized transactions.

• Change in Vehicle Registration

Deactivate your old FASTag if your vehicle registration changes due to relocation or other reasons.

Activate a new FASTag with the updated registration details to ensure toll charges are correctly linked to your current vehicle.

• Avoiding Duplicate Charges

If you have multiple FASTags for one vehicle, deactivate the ones you don’t use.

This prevents duplicate toll charges and helps manage your accounts better.

Here’s how to deactivate your old FASTag account:

1. Check Your FASTag Balance:

• Log in online or call customer support to see how much money is left on your FASTag.
• Decide if you want to transfer this money to a new FASTag or get a refund.

2. Contact Your FASTag Issuer:

• Get in touch with the customer care team of the bank or institution that issued your FASTag.
• Give them your FASTag ID, vehicle registration number, and account details.
• Let them know you want to deactivate your FASTag account.

3. Provide Necessary Documents:

• You might need to send a cancellation letter, a copy of your vehicle’s registration, and any other required papers.
• Follow your issuer’s instructions on how to send these documents.

4. Confirm Deactivation:

• After your request is processed, you’ll get a confirmation message or email.
• Save this confirmation for your records.

Extra Tips:

Turn Off Quickly	Deactivate your FASTag as soon as you don’t need it to avoid issues
Ask About Refunds	If there’s money left, find out how to get it back
Return the Tag	Some issuers might ask you to send back the physical FASTag
Update Vehicle Info	If you sold your car, update its details with the RTO to avoid problems

Common Problems and Solutions:

Trouble Reaching the Issuer	If you can’t get through to customer care, try emailing, using social media, or visiting a branch
Refund Delays	Refunds might take a while. If yours is late, follow up with the issuer
Strange Activity	If you notice any unusual activity on your FASTag account after it’s deactivated, report it immediately

Quickest Way to Close a FASTag Account

The fastest way to close a FASTag account is online through the FASTag issuer’s website or app. This method is quicker than visiting a POS location and can be done anytime from home.

Conclusion

Managing your FASTag account is easy, whether you need to deactivate or reactivate it, and there are convenient options available. Deactivate your FASTag when selling your vehicle or if the tag is lost to avoid unwanted charges. Reactivating is simple too, giving you control over your toll payments. The quickest way to close a FASTag account is online, which is fast and convenient. Stay informed and enjoy the benefits of the FASTag system for hassle-free highway travel.