Frequent highway travelers in India have a reason to smile as the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is set to launch a new FASTag Annual Pass starting August 15, 2025. Designed specifically for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans, this pass offers a convenient and cost-effective solution for paying tolls on National Highways and National Expressways. With a fixed price of Rs 3,000, drivers can enjoy up to 200 toll-free trips or unlimited travel for one year, whichever comes first. This revolutionary system aims to eliminate the hassle of paying tolls repeatedly and reduce congestion at toll plazas, making highway travel smoother and more economical.
What Is the FASTag Annual Pass?
The FASTag Annual Pass is a prepaid facility that allows private vehicle owners to pass through toll plazas on designated National Highways and Expressways without paying a toll each time. Once activated, the pass covers toll charges either for 200 trips or for 12 months, depending on which limit is reached earlier. After this, the pass automatically reverts to a regular FASTag, allowing normal toll payments unless renewed. This initiative primarily targets frequent highway users who travel regularly and can benefit from a single annual payment instead of multiple toll transactions.
Who Can Use the Annual Pass?
This pass is available exclusively to private non-commercial vehicles, including cars, jeeps, and vans. Commercial vehicles such as trucks, taxis, and buses are not eligible for this facility. Vehicle eligibility will be verified through official vehicle registration databases to ensure appropriate use. Any misuse, such as use by commercial vehicles, will result in immediate deactivation.
How to Activate the FASTag Annual Pass
The FASTag Annual Pass will be activated through the official online channels:
- The Rajmarg Yatra mobile application
- The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) website
To activate, vehicle owners must verify their vehicle eligibility linked to the FASTag. Once verified, they can pay the fixed fee of Rs 3,000 for the financial year 2025–26. Activation usually happens within two hours of payment confirmation. Users will receive confirmation alerts for activation and toll usage.
Toll Plazas Covered
The annual pass is valid strictly at toll plazas on National Highways and National Expressways. For tolls collected on other roads such as State Highways or local roads, regular FASTag toll charges will apply. This pass also excludes parking fees or tolls managed by state governments or local bodies.
Trip Counting and Validity
- For point-based toll plazas, each crossing counts as one trip. A round trip counts as two trips.
- For closed toll plazas where entry and exit points are recorded, a round trip counts as one single trip.
The pass remains valid until the user completes 200 toll crossings or one year from the date of activation. After expiration, users can renew the annual pass to continue enjoying toll-free travel benefits.
Benefits of the FASTag Annual Pass
- Cost Savings: Frequent travelers can save substantially by paying a flat Rs 3,000 fee instead of multiple toll payments.
- Time Efficiency: Quick passage through toll plazas reduces waiting times and congestion.
- Convenience: No need to refill FASTag wallet multiple times or carry cash for tolls.
- Barrier-Free Experience: Supports contactless toll payment facilitating smoother traffic flow.
Key Points to Remember
- The annual pass starts working from August 15, 2025.
- The fee is Rs 3,000 per year or for 200 trips.
- Valid only for private non-commercial vehicles at National Highway and Expressway tolls.
- Activation is online via Rajmarg Yatra app or NHAI website.
- The pass will automatically revert to a regular FASTag after validity expires.
- Commercial vehicles are excluded.
This new FASTag Annual Pass is a major step toward streamlining toll collection, enhancing travel convenience, and delivering cost-effective benefits to everyday highway commuters. If you frequently travel on national highways, this pass could bring faster, hassle-free, and budget-friendly highway journeys starting this August. Ensure you activate your pass on time to enjoy the convenience this system offers.
