OneTag FASTag Portability Revolutionizes Toll Payments
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, officially launched OneTag FASTag portability to streamline digital highway tolling across India. The new service allows motor vehicle owners to switch their issuer bank without removing their physical RFID sticker. Developed jointly by the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the framework functions much like Mobile Number Portability (MNP).
NHAI’s Rajmargyatra Mobile App now hosts ‘OneTag’, a FASTag portability service that enables users to switch their FASTag issuer while continuing to use the same physical FASTag affixed to their vehicle.
The new feature simplifies the issuer-switching process, offering greater… pic.twitter.com/pUd3hvPdt0
— NHAI (@NHAI_Official) September 17, 2026
Previously, changing a service bank required surrendering the old sticker, peeling off glue residue, buying a fresh tag, and waiting for delivery. Under the new initiative, drivers keep their original RFID sticker affixed to the windshield while transferring backend processing to a preferred banking partner. The original Tag ID linked to the vehicle registration number remains completely unchanged.
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OneTag Bank Portability Journey:
Rajmargyatra App ──> Registration Check ──> 6-Digit Verification Code ──> Fresh KYC ──> Wallet Onboarding
Vehicle owners can access the portability mechanism through the official Rajmargyatra mobile application operated by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The digital shift eliminates unnecessary plastic tag manufacturing and reduces reissuance logistics for millions of highway users.
Step-by-Step Portability Guide via Rajmargyatra App
Changing your FASTag issuer bank takes just a few minutes using NHAI’s official smartphone application. Drivers must complete a basic digital journey inside the Rajmargyatra platform to authorize the transfer.
Portability Workflow:
Existing Issuer ──(Verifies MVC & Closes Wallet)──> NPCI Mapper Updates ──(Enrolls Fresh KYC)──> New Issuer
- Download or open the Rajmargyatra application and log in using your registered mobile phone number.
- Enter your vehicle registration number to check eligibility for the OneTag FASTag portability process.
- Receive a six-digit Mobile Verification Code (MVC) sent directly from your current issuing bank.
- Enter the verification code to grant consent for account porting.
- Select your preferred new issuer bank from the list of approved NPCI banking partners.
- Complete digital Know Your Customer (KYC) verification and set up a new prepaid wallet with the selected bank.
Once onboarding finishes, the central NPCI mapper routes toll plaza scans to your newly selected bank instantly. Drivers can pass through electronic toll gates without operational delays.
Mandatory KYC Rules and Wallet Balance Refunds
A fresh Know Your Customer (KYC) check is mandatory when switching issuer banks via OneTag. Because financial regulations require each banking institution to verify customer credentials independently, users must submit standard identification details during onboarding.
Old Wallet Closure Sequence:
Porting Completed ──> Existing Wallet Terminated ──> Pending Debits Adjusted ──> Balance Refunded
Vehicle owners often wonder what happens to money stored in their previous FASTag account. Upon successful portability, the former issuing bank automatically closes the old electronic wallet. After adjusting any pending toll adjustments or unbilled charges, the previous issuer refunds the remaining balance and security deposit back to the customer’s linked primary bank account.
To prevent frequent account switching and stabilize payment settlements, authorities instituted a mandatory six-month cooling period. After completing a porting request, vehicle owners must wait six months before porting their tag to another issuer.
Standard NPCI Vehicle Class Security Deposits and Minimum Balances
When setting up your new prepaid wallet during the OneTag FASTag portability switch, standard NPCI security deposits and minimum balance requirements apply according to vehicle type. The structure below outlines initial account parameters required by participating banks:
| Vehicle Category | NPCI Vehicle Class | Security Deposit | Minimum Wallet Balance |
| Car / Jeep / Van / Mini Light Commercial | Class 4 | ₹200 | NIL |
| Light Commercial Vehicle (2-Axle) | Class 5 | ₹300 | ₹200 |
| Bus (3-Axle) | Class 6 | ₹400 | ₹500 |
| Truck (3-Axle) | Class 6 | ₹500 | ₹500 |
| Bus (2-Axle) / Mini Bus / Truck (2-Axle) | Class 7 | ₹400 | ₹500 |
| Tractor / Trailer / Truck (4, 5 & 6-Axle) | Class 12 | ₹500 | ₹500 |
| Truck (7-Axle & Above) | Class 15 | ₹500 | ₹500 |
| Earth Moving / Heavy Construction Machinery | Class 16 | ₹500 | ₹500 |
Understanding Radio Frequency Identification Technology
FASTag operates using passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology mounted directly onto the inner windscreen of motor vehicles. When a car approaches a toll plaza lane, overhead scanners emit ultra-high frequency radio signals to read encrypted data stored within the tag’s internal chip.
Signal Flow:
Windscreen RFID Chip ──(Radio Waves)──> Overhead Plaza Reader ──> Central NPCI Switch ──> Issuer Debit
Unlike traditional optical barcodes, RFID tags do not require a direct line of sight to process payments accurately. The reader captures the unique tag identifier instantly while the vehicle remains in motion. Money debits automatically from the linked prepaid wallet or savings account, enabling seamless non-stop highway travel across national plazas.
Mandate Rules and Everyday Consumer Benefits
Electronic toll collection is mandatory for all passenger and commercial vehicles across India. Under Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), all Class M and Class N four-wheelers must carry an active RFID tag.
System Integration Benefits:
Cashless Toll Debits ──> Reduced Plaza Congestion ──> Lower Fuel Consumption ──> Digital Travel Statements
With over 13 crore tags issued nationwide and digital penetration exceeding 98 percent, electronic collection has reshaped Indian road transit. The primary advantages include:
- Non-Stop Movement: Vehicles move through toll plazas without stopping to hand over cash.
- Reduced Traffic Congestion: Automated lanes eliminate long vehicle queues and shorten overall commute times.
- Cashless Convenience: Automated debits reduce physical currency handling for drivers and toll operators alike.
- Digital Expense Tracking: Vehicle owners receive SMS receipts and download detailed digital travel statements online.
- Enhanced Service Choice: The OneTag FASTag portability system lets drivers pick banks offering better customer support and cashback rewards.
The introduction of OneTag strengthens national highway infrastructure, offering seamless banking choices while preserving hardware on every windshield.