The government has introduced significant changes to the FASTag rules concerning people with disabilities (Divyangjan) when passing through toll plazas on highways. According to the new regulations, an exempted FASTag no longer requires annual renewal.
The new system sets the FASTag validity period based on the percentage of disability indicated in the documents. This new scheme came into effect on October 2, 2026.
Under the updated rules, recipients of the subsidized FASTag whose disability percentage is between 70% and 100% will receive a five-year validity for their FASTag. This exempts them from the need to undergo the annual renewal procedure. For persons with disabilities whose percentage is 40% or higher but less than 70%, the FASTag validity will be three years. After this period expires, the FASTag can be renewed, provided the established requirements are met.
It is important to note that the subsidized FASTag is not available for all types of transport. The new rules apply only to specific vehicles owned by beneficiaries who are persons with disabilities (PwD). These vehicles include those specially designed and adapted for use by physically disabled individuals, as well as vehicles registered under the 'Divyangjan' ownership category.
Previously, annual renewal of the FASTag was required, which forced beneficiaries to repeatedly go through documentation procedures and resolve related issues, especially for people with disabilities who handled these actions independently. The new rule aims to simplify this process by providing a validity period of three to five years depending on the disability percentage, eliminating the need for frequent renewals.
Receiving a long validity period does not mean that the travel concession will be permanent. After the three- or five-year validity period ends, the exempted FASTag must be renewed. During renewal, the beneficiary's eligibility, the validity of the disability documents, and compliance with the rules established by the National Highway Authority in 2008 will be checked. Therefore, it is crucial for beneficiaries to keep their disability certificate, UDID card, and other necessary papers up to date.