The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has revised the rules governing exempted FASTags issued to persons with disabilities and Divyangjan vehicles. The changes, effective from 2 October 2026, aim to reduce repeated paperwork and make toll payment procedures simpler for eligible beneficiaries on national highways.
The key shift is moving away from mandatory annual renewal. Instead, the validity of an exempted FASTag will now depend on the disability percentage recorded in official documents such as a Disability Certificate, Unique Disability Identity (UDID) Card, or other recognized records.
Key facts
- Effective date: 2 October 2026
- FASTag validity for 70% to 100% disability: 5 years
- FASTag validity for 40% to 70% disability: 3 years
- Applicable to vehicles specially designed for persons with physical disabilities
- Applicable to vehicles registered as Divyangjan ownership type
- Renewals will be required after validity expires, subject to continued eligibility
- Rules governed by National Highways Fee Rules, 2008
What changed in the guidelines
Under the previous system, all exempted FASTags issued to Divyangjan beneficiaries had to be renewed every year. This meant cardholders needed to repeat the application and verification process annually, creating administrative burden on both users and toll authorities.
The revised framework eliminates this yearly requirement. Instead, validity is now tied to the severity of disability as officially documented. Persons with higher disability percentages—between 70% and 100%—will receive FASTags valid for five years. Those with moderate disabilities, recorded between 40% and less than 70%, will get FASTags valid for three years. Once the validity period expires, beneficiaries can renew their FASTags provided they continue to meet the eligibility criteria and follow the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008.
Who is eligible
The exemption applies to two categories of vehicles. First, vehicles specially designed and constructed for use by persons with physical disabilities qualify for an exempted FASTag. Second, any vehicle registered under the ownership type ‘Divyangjan’ is eligible. In both cases, the beneficiary must hold a valid Disability Certificate, UDID Card, or other officially recognized documentation of their disability status and percentage.
How the toll exemption works
A FASTag is an electronic toll collection system used across national highways in India. An exempted FASTag allows eligible persons with disabilities to pass through toll plazas without paying the toll fee. The tag is affixed to the vehicle’s windscreen and is read automatically at toll gates. By extending the validity period, the revised guidelines reduce the frequency with which beneficiaries need to visit toll authorities or submission points for verification and renewal.
What this means for you
If you are a person with a disability or own a Divyangjan-registered vehicle and currently use an exempted FASTag, the new rules simplify your compliance burden. You will no longer need to apply for renewal every year. Depending on your disability percentage, you can use the same FASTag for either three or five years before needing to renew. This saves time and reduces paperwork.
If you are applying for a new exempted FASTag, ensure you have the required documentation—a valid Disability Certificate, UDID Card, or equivalent official record showing your disability percentage. This percentage will determine how long your FASTag remains valid.
The revision also aims to make the national highway toll system more transparent and user-friendly. By reducing unnecessary administrative cycles, toll authorities can focus on smooth and efficient toll collection while exempted beneficiaries can travel with fewer interruptions.
What happens next
The revised guidelines come into effect from 2 October 2026. Toll authorities across national highways will be expected to implement these new provisions. Existing exempted FASTags may continue to operate under the old renewal schedule until they expire or are renewed, at which point the new validity rules will apply.