Navigating FASTag Blacklisting: A Comprehensive Overview

FASTag is an electronic toll collection system. It is based on the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology that allows for automatic toll payments from your prepaid FASTag account. You don’t need to stand in long queues or stop at toll plazas to pay cash.

However, there are certain cases when your FASTag gets blacklisted. In such situations, the staff at the toll plaza stops your vehicle and requests you to pay double the toll amount in cash.

Are you facing a similar situation? In this article, let’s understand what is blacklisting and its possible reasons. Also, we will see how you can remove your FASTag from the blacklist and re-check its status.

What is FASTag blacklisting

The term “blacklisting” refers to a temporary or permanent ban on your FASTag. When a FASTag is blacklisted, it stops working and will not get scanned while crossing Indian highways. Usually, this suspension is placed by your issuing bank/ NBFC or NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India).

Due to blacklisting you are not eligible for automatic toll payments and will have to pay double the toll charges in cash.

Why is your FASTag blacklisted

There are several reasons for a FASTag to get blacklisted:

1. Low balance

The most common reason for blacklisting is “insufficient balance”. If your FASTag account does not have enough money, it will be temporarily stopped to avoid failed transactions.

2. Fraudulent use

If you have used one FASTag on different vehicles, it gets blocked for security reasons. That’s because FASTag is vehicle and owner-specific. It is issued for a particular user and cannot be shared or transferred.

3. Unpaid penalties

If you have not cleared toll violation fines or overdue charges, your FASTag might be blacklisted.

4. Some other possible reasons

• Your KYC documents are incomplete or unverified.
• The registration details of your car do not match official records.
• Law enforcement agencies have requested blacklisting due to fraudulent activities or traffic violations.
• Incorrect placement of FASTag on the vehicle.

How to remove your FASTag from the blacklist

If your FASTag is blacklisted, follow these steps to reactivate it:

Step I: Find out the reason

To begin with, you must contact your service provider and identify the exact reason why your FASTag was blacklisted.

Step II: Fix the problem

After identification of the blacklisting reason, you must take specific actions based on the issue, such as:

• Low balance: Recharge your FASTag wallet to the minimum required amount.
• Document issues: Submit updated KYC documents to your provider.
• Pending fines: Pay any toll penalties or outstanding charges.
• Expired tag: Renew your FASTag.
• Paste the sticker again: Properly install the FASTag sticker. If required, purchase adhesives or other materials from online marketplaces or physical stores.

Step III: Check the status and contact support

To know if your FASTag has been removed from the backlist, you log in to your FASTag account on the official website or app. Search for the label “Manage Tags” (in most cases) to check your status. Alternatively, you can visit the official NPCI website (steps explained below).

Please note that balance-related issues are usually resolved immediately and your FASTag will be reactivated without any delay. In other cases, the re-activation may take 2–5 business days, depending on the severity of the blacklisting reason.

How to check your FASTag’s current status

In addition to the website/ mobile app of your service provider, you can check your FASTag’s status and balance using the NPCI website. Simply follow these steps:

• Open your web browser and visit www.npci.org.in.
• On the website, look for the “FASTag Customer Portal” section and click it.
• Provide either your Vehicle Registration Number or Chassis Number in the required field.
• Complete security verification by solving the captcha.
• Once logged in, you can:

○  See your FASTag’s status (active, blacklisted, etc.) and

○  Check your balance

Conclusion

FASTag is a small electronic tag that allows you to make instant toll payments while crossing highways in India. However, if your FASTag is blacklisted, you become ineligible for automatic deductions and have to pay double the toll amount in cash.

Such a blacklisting happens due to several reasons:

• Low balance
• Unpaid penalties
• Expired KYC

To resolve such issues, first identify the exact reason by contacting your FASTag provider. Next, fix the problem and check your FASTag status on the NPCI website or your provider’s app. Be aware that re-activation usually takes 2-5 days depending on the complexity of your issue.