For years, waiting in long queues at toll booths has been troubling passengers on the highways. In a bid to make toll payments easier, the National Highways Authority of India has implemented the ‘One Vehicle, Once FASTag’ norm, starting April 1, 2024. The automatic toll payments facilitated by FASTags have smoothened things for travellers as well as toll collectors, making driving on Indian highways the easiest ever. However, the Reserve Bank of India has banned one particular and popular FASTag provider, Paytm Payments Bank Ltd. (PPBL). This means it would be in your best interest to deactivate your Paytm FASTag and buy a new one. Moreover, there can be many other reasons you might want to deactivate your Paytm FASTag. So, if you want to deactivate the Paytm FASTag, here are the ways to do it.
What is PayTM FASTag?
FASTag is a national electronic toll collection (NETC) system governed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Basically, a FASTag is a tag affixed to the windscreen of a vehicle and is linked to the subscriber’s bank account or prepaid card. When a FASTag-attached vehicle enters a preset range of the toll plaza, an electronic toll collection system, with the help of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification technology), the system collects toll payments directly from the linked bank account or prepaid card. Several banks provide FASTags, and one such bank is Paytm Payments Bank Ltd. (PPBL), which provides the Paytm FASTag linked to your Paytm wallet or bank account.
Reasons for Deactivating PayTM FASTag
There can be many reasons you want to deactivate the Paytm FAStag, here are some obvious ones.
Restrictions on the Paytm Payments Bank Ltd. (PPBL): Since RBI has prohibited the Paytm Payments Bank from receiving deposits, you can only use the remaining balance in your Paytm wallet and it cannot be topped up.
Selling your vehicle: In order to prevent the new owner from utilising your PayTM wallet to pay for tolls, you must deactivate the FASTag on your vehicle when you sell it.
Car loss or theft: In case your car is lost or stolen, you need to deactivate the FAStag on it to prevent unauthorised toll payments.
Switching to another FASTag provider: For a number of reasons, such as better offers or customer service, you may wish to use the FASTag from another provider/ bank.
No longer utilising toll roads: You may want to disable the Paytm FAStag to avoid attracting extra fees in case you relocate to an area where you don’t usually need to go via toll roads.
Requirements for Deactivating PayTM FASTag
Following are the certain requirements for deactivating the Paytm FAStag.
Active PayTM account: In order to manage your Paytm FASTag, you must have access to the PayTM app or website.
Vehicle details linked: For verification, the car’s registration number and other pertinent information should be easily accessible.
No pending toll charges: Make sure there are no pending toll payments or violations before deactivating the Paytm FAStag.
Methods to Deactivate PayTM FASTag
PayTM Mobile App
Open the PayTM app: Make sure you are signed into the PayTM account that is associated with your FASTag.
Enter the ‘FASTag’ tab: Go to the ‘FASTag’ option under ‘Recharge & Pay Bills’ in the app.
Choose the account associated with FASTag: Find the active FAStag and click on it.
Request for deactivation: Click on the option to deactivate the FASTag. Confirm and submit your request. Once the request is submitted, you will receive a confirmation message from PayTM regarding the deactivation.
PayTM Customer Support
Contact PayTM customer support: Call PayTM’s customer care number; it’s usually available on their app or website.
Request to deactivate the Paytm FAStag: Request the customer care executive to deactivate your FASTag. Then they will verify your account details and the vehicle’s registration number for security purposes.
Receive confirmation: Once your request is processed, you will receive a confirmation message of deactivation of your FASTag.
Email Request
Send the email: Compose and send an email to the official email address of the customer support of PayTM, stating your request to deactivate your FASTag. In the email, also mention your vehicle’s registration number, registered mobile number, and other FASTag account details.
Receive the confirmation: After PayTM customer support processes your request, you will receive a confirmation mail from them regarding the deactivation of your PayTM FASTag.
What to do after Deactivating PayTM FASTag
Check for refunds: If your PayTM FAStag account has some balance remaining, ensure it gets refunded to your PayTM wallet.
Update the vehicle information: If you sell your vehicle, inform the new owner that the FASTag on the vehicle is no longer active, and they need to buy a new one if their use case requires a FASTag.
Buy a new FASTag if required: If you wish to use the FASTag with a different vehicle or want a new FASTag from another provider, apply for one the earliest possible.
Conclusion
If you are using a Paytm FASTag, it’s highly recommended that you deactivate it and buy a new one. To deactivate the PayTM FASTag, you can use the PayTM app or contact customer support via call or email. Once your PayTM FASTag is deactivated, make sure you get the refunds if you had balance remaining in your FASTag and buy a new FASTag from a different provider if required.
FAQs about Deactivating the PayTM FASTag
Can my PayTM FASTag be reactivated?
No, whether it’s PayTM FASTAg or any other, it cannot be reactivated after being deactivated. If you wish to use a FASTag, you need to buy a new one.
How long does the deactivation of PayTM FASTag take?
If you deactivate your PayTM FASTag via the PayTM app, it’s usually done instantly. However, if you request PayTM customer support to deactivate your PayTM FASTag, it may take 24 to 48 hours.
Will I get a refund after deactivating my PayTM FASTag?
If your FASTag account has any balance after you deactivate your PayTM FASTag, it gets refunded to your PayTM wallet within a few business days after deactivation.
Can I transfer my PayTM FASTag to a different car?
Every FASTag is unique to each car and cannot be transferred to another one. If you want a FASTag for another car or any new car, you need to buy a new FASTag.
What will happen if I sell my car and don’t deactivate the PayTM FASTag on it?
In such a case, the FASTag will continue to remain active and its toll payments will be charged from your PayTM wallet.
