FASTag mandatory for all cars from January 1

Starting January 1, 2021, FASTag will be made mandatory for all cars and bigger vehicles, which were sold before December 1, 2017, Union Road Transport Ministry, and Highways said on Saturday.

The fitness certificate will be renewed only if the vehicle has FASTag. Even to renew third-party insurance, valid FASTag must from April 1, 2021.

Vehicles sold after December 2017 have factory fitted FASTags

"As per Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, since 1st December 2017, the FASTag had been made mandatory for all registration of new four-wheeled Vehicles and is being supplied by the Vehicle Manufacturer or their dealers. It had further been mandated that the renewal of fitness certificate will be done only after the fitment of FASTag for the Transport Vehicles. Further that for National Permit Vehicles the fitment of FASTag has been mandated since 1st Oct 2019," the government said in a statement.

The fitness certificate will be renewed only if the vehicle has FASTag.

"It has been further mandated that a valid FASTag is mandatory while getting a new 3rd Party Insurance through an amendment in FORM 51 (certificate of Insurance), wherein the details of FASTag ID shall be captured. This shall be applicable w.e.f. 1 April 2021," said the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways in an official release.

The making mandatory FASTag will ensure payment of fees by 100% at Toll Plazas through the Electronic Means only and that the vehicles pass seamlessly through the Fee Plazas. There would be no waiting time at the Plazas and would save fuel, said the government.