The Government of India has tightened the rules regarding toll collection on national highways. Now, there is a strict system in place to deal with missed FASTag payments. Under the updated rules, a new term called “unpaid user fee” has been formally defined. It refers to a toll charge that remains unpaid even though the vehicle’s passage has been successfully recorded through the electronic toll collection system. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified the National Highways Fees (Determination of Rates and Collections) (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026, which came into effect from 17 March 2026.
Missed FastTag Payment, Pay Double Toll: Why It Can Happen
This situation may arise due to reasons such as insufficient FASTag balance, technical errors, or camera-based systems recording the vehicle without a successful transaction.To recover such pending tolls, the government has introduced a technology-based e-notice system. If the toll payment is missed, the owner of the registered vehicle will receive an electronic notice with details such as vehicle number, date and place of travel, and amount due. These notices will be sent through SMS, email, mobile apps or made available on a specific online portal.
Pay the actual amount within 72 hours.
One of the biggest changes is the sentencing structure. If a customer fails to pay the toll and does not respond within the stipulated time, the amount payable is double the actual toll fee. However, there is a relief window in the system. If the pending amount is cleared within 72 hours of receiving the e-notice, the customer will be required to pay only the actual toll amount without any penalty.The rules also include provision for redressal of grievances. If a vehicle owner feels that the notice has been wrongly issued, they can file a complaint through the official portal within 72 hours. Authorities are required to investigate such cases and resolve them within five days. If no action is taken within this period, the unpaid fee claim will automatically lapse.In cases where dues are unpaid for more than 15 days and no dispute is pending, the pending amount will be entered in the VAHAN database. This may result in restrictions on vehicle-related services until the outstanding toll is cleared.
