Traveling frequently on national highways can often mean stopping multiple times at toll plazas, causing frustrating delays and requiring constant wallet top-ups. But starting August 15, 2025, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced the FASTag Annual Pass, promising to change the way private vehicle owners pay tolls across India.
In this article, learn everything you need to know about this exciting new offering—its benefits, activation process, pricing, and how it compares with existing options for toll payments.
What Is the FASTag Annual Pass?
The FASTag Annual Pass is a prepaid toll payment facility for private cars, jeeps, and vans that allows up to 200 toll plaza trips or one year of use, whichever comes first. Instead of paying tolls per trip or keeping your FASTag wallet regularly topped up, you pay a single fixed fee to enjoy unlimited or capped rides at designated National Highway (NH) and National Expressway (NE) toll plazas.
This new pass aims to simplify toll payments for frequent highway travelers and encourage cashless, seamless travel.
Who Can Use the FASTag Annual Pass?
- Only private, non-commercial vehicles (cars, jeeps, and vans) registered with a valid FASTag are eligible.
- Commercial vehicles and vehicles with blacklisted FASTags are not allowed to use the annual pass.
- The pass works only on designated NH and NE toll plazas; at other toll plazas managed by state governments or local bodies, your FASTag functions as usual with tolls charged separately.
How to Activate the FASTag Annual Pass?
Activation of the annual pass is designed to be simple and digital:
- Download the Rajmarg Yatra app (available for Android and iOS) or visit the official NHAI website.
- Log in and verify your eligibility, including vehicle registration details and associated FASTag.
- Pay a one-time fee of Rs 3,000 (for the 2025-26 base year).
- The annual pass gets activated on your existing FASTag within two hours after successful payment confirmation.
- Important: The vehicle registration number linked to your FASTag must be updated correctly; FASTags registered only by chassis number are ineligible unless updated.
No need to buy a new FASTag if you already have one that meets eligibility requirements.
Benefits of the FASTag Annual Pass
Using the FASTag Annual Pass offers several advantages for frequent highway travelers:
- Cost-effective: A flat fee of Rs 3,000 covers up to 200 toll trips or 12 months of uninterrupted travel on national highways and expressways.
- Convenience: No need to top-up FASTag wallets frequently or carry cash.
- Faster toll plaza passage: Enjoy seamless RFID-based toll payments without stopping.
- Wide acceptance: Usable at about 1,150+ toll plazas nationwide.
- Easy to manage: Activation and payments through reliable digital platforms backed by NHAI.
- Customer support: Dedicated helpline (1033) and nodal officers at toll plazas ensure smooth resolution of any issues.
Pricing and Validity
Here’s a quick insight into pricing and validity of the FASTag Annual Pass:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | Rs 3,000 (FY 2025-26) |
| Validity | 1 year from activation or 200 trips (whichever earlier) |
| Applicable Vehicle Types | Private cars, jeeps, vans only |
| Toll Plaza Coverage | National Highways and Expressways only |
| Activation Time | Within 2 hours after payment |
This pricing offers excellent value compared to monthly passes, which are limited to individual toll plazas and can cost around Rs 340 per month, leading to Rs 4,080 annually for just one plaza.
How Does It Compare to Other FASTag Options?
| Pass Type | Price (INR) | Validity | Coverage | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Pass | 3,000 | 1 year / 200 trips | All NH and Expressways | Frequent highway travelers |
| Monthly Pass | 340 | 1 month | Single toll plaza coverage | Local commuters |
| Regular FASTag Wallet | Pay as used | 5 years for tag, wallet recharged on demand | All NH, Expressways, other tolls | Occasional users |
The FASTag Annual Pass stands out for long-distance, multi-plaza travelers, saving both money and time.
Color Variants of FASTag
While the FASTag stickers come in various colors based on issuer banks and vehicle types, the annual pass feature does not change the tag color. Typically:
- Private vehicles carry a white FASTag sticker.
- Commercial vehicles use different colors (blue, yellow, etc.), which are ineligible for the annual pass.
Final Thoughts
The FASTag Annual Pass launched in August 2025 offers a major convenience boost for private vehicle owners traveling frequently on India’s highways. For a one-time payment of Rs 3,000, it removes multiple wallet top-ups and reduces delays at toll plazas. This initiative aligns with India’s broader push towards cashless, digital infrastructure, making highway travel smoother and more economical than ever.
If you often traverse national highways, activating the FASTag Annual Pass via the Rajmarg Yatra app or NHAI website could be a game-changer for your journeys.
FAQs on FASTag Annual Pass
Can I use a monthly pass and annual pass together?
Yes, but monthly passes are limited to one toll plaza and do not replace annual pass benefits at other plazas.
Is the annual pass refundable if unused?
No, the pass fee is non-refundable once activated.
How do I top up my FASTag wallet separately?
Wallet top-up remains separate and can be done anytime via bank apps or Paytm, Amazon Pay, etc.
Will commercial vehicles get an annual pass?
Currently, the annual pass is only for private non-commercial vehicles.
What if I exceed 200 trips before a year ends?
The annual pass expires, and you must revert to regular FASTag payments or renew the pass.
Can I use the annual pass on state highways?
No, it is valid only on National Highways and National Expressways toll plazas.
What happens after I reach 200 trips or one year of usage?
The Annual Pass automatically switches back to normal FASTag usage once 200 trips are completed or one year expires. You will need to renew it to continue the benefits.
Can I use the Annual Pass on commercial or business vehicles?
No. The pass is only for private cars, jeeps, and vans. Using it in a commercial vehicle will immediately deactivate the pass.
Is it possible to transfer the Annual Pass to another vehicle?
No. The pass is strictly for the vehicle linked to the FASTag. Using it on another vehicle will lead to deactivation.
Must the FASTag be physically fixed on the windshield?
Yes. The Annual Pass activates only on FASTags properly affixed to the vehicle’s windshield.
What if my FASTag is registered using a chassis number only?
You cannot get the Annual Pass until you update your FASTag registration with the vehicle’s registration number.
How is a trip counted in the Annual Pass?
At point-based toll plazas, each crossing counts as one trip. A round trip counts as two. For closed toll plazas (with entry and exit), one entry-exit pair counts as one trip.
Will I receive messages or alerts about my Annual Pass usage?
Yes. With pass activation, your registered mobile is linked to receive SMS alerts and updates regarding your pass.
Is the Annual Pass mandatory?
No. You can continue to use your existing FASTag for regular toll payments without opting for the Annual Pass.
Can my existing FASTag wallet balance be used to buy the Annual Pass?
No. The Rs 3,000 payment for the Annual Pass must be paid separately through the Rajmargyatra app or NHAI website.
If I have a local or monthly pass for a toll plaza, will trips from those plazas count towards the Annual Pass?
No. Trips at plazas where other passes are active will not be deducted from your Annual Pass trip count.
For more authoritative details, visit the National Highways Authority of India official site and download the Rajmarg Yatra app from Google Play or Apple App Store.
This comprehensive guide ensures you stay informed about the latest FASTag Annual Pass to make your travels smooth and hassle-free in 2025. Safe journeys!
Prajakta specializes in automotive news, industry updates, and easy-to-follow guides. At AutoNewsWala, she covers everything from GST reforms and policy changes to car and bike maintenance tips. Her goal is to keep readers informed with accurate, timely, and useful updates from the fast-changing automobile industry.
