The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced an Annual Pass for FASTag users, offering private car, jeep, and van owners free passage at designated toll plazas. The scheme, effective from August 15, 2025, covers one year or up to 200 trips, whichever comes first.
How the Annual Pass Works
The Annual Pass allows vehicles fitted with FASTag to travel across National Highways (NH) and National Expressways (NE) without paying a per-trip toll. Once a user completes 200 trips or one year of travel, the FASTag will automatically switch back to its regular pay-per-use mode unless re-activated.
How to Get the Pass
The pass can only be purchased through the Rajmargyatra mobile app or the NHAI website. To activate it, the vehicle’s FASTag must first be verified for eligibility. After verification, users must pay a fee of ₹3,000 for the 2025–26 base year. The pass is then linked directly to the registered FASTag.
No Need for a New FASTag
Existing FASTag users do not need to buy a new tag, provided their current one is valid, properly affixed to the windshield, linked to the Vehicle Registration Number (VRN), and not blacklisted. FASTags registered only with a chassis number, however, are not eligible until updated with a VRN.
Coverage and Limitations
The Annual Pass is valid only at National Highway and National Expressway toll plazas. At State Highway tolls or those managed by state governments and local bodies, the FASTag will function as usual, and normal charges will apply.
Importantly, the scheme is limited to private, non-commercial cars, jeeps, and vans. Any attempt to use the pass on commercial vehicles will lead to immediate deactivation. The pass is also non-transferable and remains valid only for the vehicle on which the FASTag is registered.
What Counts as a Trip
For point-based toll plazas, each crossing is considered one trip, while a round trip counts as two. In closed toll systems, where both entry and exit are recorded, one pair of entry and exit counts as a single trip.
Notifications and Payments
Users will receive SMS alerts linked to their registered mobile number once the pass is activated. Payment for the pass must be made through the Rajmargyatra app or NHAI website; FASTag wallet balances cannot be used for this purpose. Wallet funds will, however, remain valid for other payments such as parking or State Highway tolls.
Optional, Not Mandatory
NHAI has clarified that the Annual Pass is not mandatory. FASTag users who do not opt for it can continue using their tags for regular transactions. Those who already have a Local or Monthly Pass can still activate the Annual Pass. In such cases, trips made under the Local Pass will not be deducted from the Annual Pass quota.
