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The government has launched a new annual highway toll pass for private cars jeeps and vans starting Friday. This comes a day after the pre-booking for the FASTag-based annual pass began. The system uses RFID technology to automatically deduct toll charges from a prepaid account linked to the vehicle allowing smooth travel on National Highways without the hassle of recharging FASTag again and again. With this new pass private vehicle owners can make up to 200 toll-free trips on national highways and expressways in a year by paying a flat fee of Rs. 3000. This pass is only for private vehicles. It will not be available for yellow-board taxis commercial vehicles buses state highway tolls city tolls or parking areas. These will still work under the usual pay-per-use FASTag system. How will the FASTag pass be activated? To start using the pass you need to verify your vehicle and FASTag then pay Rs. 3000. The pass will be activated within two hours of payment and will remain valid for one year. On Expressways or State Highways managed by state governments or local bodies your FASTag will work like a regular one and normal toll charges may apply. The pass is valid for one year from the activation date or until 200 trips are completed whichever comes first. Once either limit is reached the pass automatically reverts to a regular FASTag. Do existing users need a new FASTag? No. If you already have a FASTag on your vehicle you don’t need to buy a new one. The annual pass can be linked to your existing FASTag. However completing the KYC process for your FASTag is necessary to get the pass. How many trips are allowed with the FASTag annual pass? The FASTag annual pass is valid for one year or up to 200 trips whichever comes first. Once you complete either limit your FASTag will go back to its normal pay-per-use mode. On closed tolling highways like the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (where tolls are collected at exit points) one trip covers both the entry and exit. On open tolling routes like Delhi-Chandigarh (where tolls are collected at each plaza) each toll crossing counts as one trip. Average highway tolls typically range between Rs. 70–Rs. 100 per trip. With the annual pass the effective cost drops to Rs. 15–Rs. 20 per crossing translating to potential savings of over Rs. 7000 per year for regular long-distance drivers. Who cannot get the FASTag pass? If your FASTag is registered using only the chassis number you can’t get the pass. You’ll first need to update it with your Vehicle Registration Number (VRN). Your mobile number must also be up to date. Can the annual pass be transferred to another vehicle? No. The pass is linked to one specific vehicle and transferring it could get it blacklisted.