FASTag Local Pass: Eligibility, Fees

If you live close to a national highway toll plaza and cross it often in a private car, there is a new, cheaper option from 1 November 2026. The government has introduced a concessional FASTag annual local pass: Rs 1,500 a year at some plazas and Rs 3,000 at others. Below is who qualifies, what it costs compared with the existing passes, and what to check before paying. Details are as of 1 November 2026.

What has changed

According to Autocar India, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) notified the scheme on 26 October 2026. Business Today describes it as part of the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2026. It is a separate product from the standard FASTag annual pass, not a replacement for it.

Start date: the pass is available at eligible toll plazas from 1 November 2026.
Rajmargyatra app: online purchase through the app is listed from 1 December 2026.
Fee: Rs 1,500 a year at plazas outside municipal or local town limits, and Rs 3,000 a year at plazas inside those limits.
Revisions: the government may revise fees every year, with changes taking effect from 1 April.

Who can get it

The reports agree on the basic conditions. You need to own a non-commercial vehicle, live within 20 km of the National Highway toll plaza, and hold a valid, functional FASTag registered for non-commercial use. Business Today adds a caution that living near a plaza alone does not automatically qualify you, so you must meet the conditions in the notification.

The pass is tied to one designated plaza. It cannot be used at other plazas, and DriveSpark notes it is not transferable.

Where it will not work

National Highways or expressways that use a closed user-fee collection system (where you pay by distance between entry and exit).
Toll plazas where a service road or an alternative road exists for local commuters.

The second exclusion matters. Many people who live near a busy plaza may find that their plaza has a service road and so does not offer the pass. Confirm this for your exact plaza before planning around the saving.

How the three options compare

Option	Cost	Where it works	Limits
Local annual pass (new)	Rs 1,500 or Rs 3,000 a year	One designated plaza	Must live within 20 km; not on closed systems or where an alternative road exists
Existing monthly local pass	Rs 360 a month (Rs 4,320 over 12 months), as reported by Business Today	One plaza	Monthly renewal
Standard FASTag annual pass	Rs 3,075 for FY 2026-27	Over 1,000 fee plazas on National Highways and Expressways	One year or 200 crossings, whichever comes first

Autocar India says eligible owners can choose between the new local pass and the existing monthly pass, so you will not be forced to switch.

Is it worth it? Simple maths

Using the reported figures, the maths is straightforward.

Plaza outside town limits (Rs 1,500): against twelve monthly passes at Rs 360, you save Rs 2,820 a year. Business Today reports the same figure.
Plaza inside town limits (Rs 3,000): the saving over twelve monthly passes works out to Rs 1,320 (our calculation from the reported prices). Against the standard annual pass the difference is only Rs 75.

That last point is worth thinking about. If your local plaza is inside town limits and you also drive on highways with other toll plazas, the standard annual pass may suit you better, because it works across the network. The local pass makes the most sense when your regular trips involve only one plaza, such as a daily commute or school run. Note that the standard pass is capped at 200 crossings a year, so check how many crossings you actually make. The published reports do not state a trip limit for the local pass; ask at the plaza or check the notification.

What to do now

Check that your FASTag is active, linked to your vehicle, and registered for non-commercial use. Vehicles without a valid FASTag pay 1.25 times the fee via UPI or double in cash, according to Business Today.
Measure the distance from your home to the plaza. It must be within 20 km.
Find out whether your plaza falls inside or outside municipal or local town limits, since that decides Rs 1,500 or Rs 3,000.
Ask at the plaza whether your plaza is on the eligible list and what documents are needed. The published reports do not list documents or the application steps.
Count your yearly crossings and compare with the three options in the table.
If you prefer to wait, the Rajmargyatra app option starts on 1 December 2026.

If you own more than one car, remember that the pass is linked to a specific FASTag and vehicle. Keeping vehicle details tidy also helps when you are stopped in an emergency, and a QR sticker such as the one on our EaseTag page can help others contact you if your car is blocking the road.

Why this matters for car owners

Toll costs are a quiet part of car ownership, and for people who live next to a plaza they can be a real monthly expense. A fixed annual price makes budgeting easier and removes the need to renew each month. The catch is the eligibility fine print. Closed systems, service-road plazas and the 20 km rule will leave many owners out, so treat this as a useful option for some, not a universal discount.

For other recent MoRTH moves affecting car owners, see our explainer on the proposed mandatory emergency braking. If you spend time on highways, a dash cam is also worth considering.

FAQ

Can I use the local pass at any toll plaza?

No. It is valid only at the designated plaza you buy it for, and it is not transferable.

Can I use it with a commercial vehicle?

No. It is meant for non-commercial vehicles with a FASTag registered for non-commercial use.

When can I buy it through the app?

Autocar India and DriveSpark both report that the Rajmargyatra app option starts on 1 December 2026. Until then, it is sold at eligible plazas.

Bottom line

The new FASTag local pass can cut toll costs sharply for private-car owners who live within 20 km of a plaza and use only that plaza, especially where it costs Rs 1,500. Where it costs Rs 3,000, compare it carefully with the standard Rs 3,075 annual pass. Check your plaza’s eligibility first, and confirm documents and trip rules with the toll operator or the official notification, as these details were not covered in the reports.