Operated by the National Highways Authority of India and National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), FASTag is a reloadable tag that uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to make toll payments. Attached on the windscreens of the vehicles, it allows the driver to pass through toll plazas without stopping to pay.  

Keep reading to get a detailed guide on how to check your FASTag balance using different modes.

FASTag, managed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), is an electronic toll collection system on national and state highways. In other words, FASTags are simply reusable RFID tags with toll payments embedded in them that do not have an expiry date. If they are still intact and readable at toll plazas, they can be useful as long as possible.

You can buy and activate the FASTag for your vehicle from any of the reputed banks, as authorised by the government, such as Axis Bank, HDFC, ICICI Bank, SBI, and many more, RTOs, toll plazas, petrol pumps, or online shopping portals like Amazon, Flipkart, Paytm, etc.

Check the FASTag balance of your account linked to your vehicle with the steps given below:

Step 1: Go to the official website of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) or the issuer agency/bank of your FASTag. 

Step 2: Click on the link or button to your FASTag portal. 

Step 3: Enter the login credentials, like vehicle number and more, and click the ‘check balance’ or ‘view transaction history’ button. 

Step 4: With your recent transaction history, you can now view your FASTag balance details on your screen.

You can check your FASTag balance through various third-party mobile applications or the official ‘My FASTag App’:

Step 1: Download the ‘My FASTag App’ on your mobile device (it is compatible with both iOS and Android).

Step 2: Enter the login credentials in the app.

Step 3: Click on your Tag account number, and you can now view your balance account.

Follow the given steps to check the FASTag balance:

Step 1: Go to your registered email ID’s inbox.

Step 2: Check your inbox for the most current FASTag deduction email.

Step 3: Check the email’s content for the FASTag balance.

There are multiple ways to check FASTag balance offline given below:

1. How to Check FASTag Balance via the Missed Call Alert Facility?

To check your FASTag balance through the missed call alert facility, call the toll-free number +91-8884333331 from your registered mobile number, and you will receive a notification with your balance details through SMS.

2. How to Check FASTag Balance Through the Customer Care Helpline Number?

To check your FASTag balance through the customer care helpline number, give a missed call to the toll-free number 8010928888.

3. How to Check FASTag Balance Using an SMS Update?

You can SMS ETCBAL <Vehicle Registration Number> to 5676766 for an SMS update on your FASTag balance.

To check your FASTag balance, you must provide the following details:

• Registered mobile number
• Vehicle registration number
• Vehicle class 

Thus, there are different convenient ways to check your FASTag balance without much hassle. Also, these FASTag accounts can be recharged and used at the respective toll plazas when required.

FASTag is a pre-paid tag for toll collection introduced that auto-deducts toll charges and allows your vehicle to pass through the toll plaza without stopping for the cash transaction. 

Here is how you can recharge your FASTag online:

• Step 1: Choose an Issuer: First, determine the bank or issuer from whom you have purchased your FASTag. Common issuers include HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI, Axis Bank, etc.
• Step 2: Access the Issuer's Website or App: Visit the portal or mobile app of your FASTag issuer. Many issuers offer online portals and mobile apps for managing your FASTag account.
• Step 3: Login: Enter your valid credentials and log in to your FASTag account. If you still need to register your account online, do so in the first place. 
• Step 4: Choose Recharge Option: Find the option to recharge your FASTag account, which is usually mentioned as 'Top-Up', 'Recharge', or similar.
• Step 5: Enter the Recharge Amount: Enter the amount you want to recharge. Many issuers may have minimum and maximum FASTag recharge limits.
• Step 6: Choose Payment Method: Choose your preferred payment method, such as a debit card, credit card, net banking, or Unified Payment Interface (UPI).
• Step 7: Confirm and Pay: Double-check the recharge details and confirm the transaction by paying the required amount.

Once the payment is made, your FASTag account will be recharged successfully, and the updated balance will appear.

Having a thorough understanding of the guidelines about FASTag balance is imperative for ensuring efficient usage:

• Compulsory for all Vehicle Ownners: According to NHAI, FASTag became compulsory for all vehicle owners in February 2021.
• Functional FASTag: If one knows that his FASTag is not functional at any of the available FASTag toll lanes, then the toll charges will be doubled. Therefore, ensure the RFID barcode is damage-free before entering any toll lane and that your FASTag wallet has enough balance.
• Response Time: Under NHAI's new rules, this will be the waiting time at the toll plazas. It shall be at most 10 seconds. If it crosses 10 seconds, you will not be required to pay any toll charges.
  
• Double Charges Without FASTag: If you enter a toll plaza without a FASTag, you must pay double the amount charged according to standard toll rates. Therefore, you should always create a FASTag to save time and money.
• Third-Party Insurance: You must have at least third-party insurance as required under the prerequisite of The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The vehicle's registration number must be linked mandatorily with a Fastag if you want to purchase third-party insurance. Hence, even if you do not use the highways, you must fit a FASTag compulsorily.
• Validity Period: Any FASTag is valid for five years. To maintain a sufficient balance, recharge the tag with funds beforehand.
• Vehicle Queue: According to the NHAI guidelines, the vehicle queue should be 100 metres from the toll plazas. This allows for the smooth flow of traffic. Each toll lane will have a yellow line 100 metres from the toll booth.

In case your FASTag has stopped working, here is how you can fix it:

• Check Balance: Ensure that your FASTag account has a sufficient balance. If the balance is low or depleted, recharge it.
• Ensure Right Placement: Ensure that the FASTag has been affixed correctly on the windshield of your vehicle according to the instructions given by the issuer. Improper placement will interfere with the RFID detection process.
• No Physical Damage: Check for any physical damage to the FASTag. If it is damaged, contact your issuer for a replacement.
• Reaching Out to Customer Support: If the FASTag is not functioning properly even though it has sufficient balance and is mounted correctly, contact your FASTag Issuer's customer support. Mention your FASTag number and vehicle details so that they can help you.
• Temporary Solutions: In case of urgency, pay the toll in cash at the toll plaza and then sort out the issue with your issuer.