How to Set Up Auto-Recharge for FASTag and Skip the Manual Top-Ups

Long drives on highways can be enjoyable, but no one likes waiting in queues at toll plazas. FASTag has made travel smoother by enabling digital toll payments, but there is still one hurdle—manual recharges. Forgetting to top up your account can result in delays at toll booths. To overcome this, banks now provide an Auto-Recharge feature that ensures your FASTag always has balance.

Leading banks like ICICI Bank offer Auto-Recharge options that save time, reduce hassle, and make travel stress-free. Let’s explore how FASTag Auto-Recharge works, why it matters, and how you can set it up.

Why Auto-Recharge for FASTag Matters

A FASTag works on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology that enables automatic toll deduction from a linked account or prepaid wallet. However, if your FASTag balance is insufficient, your vehicle may not get access through the toll lane.

Auto-Recharge addresses this problem by ensuring that your account is topped up automatically whenever the balance falls below a set threshold. This means:

• No risk of being stopped at toll plazas
• No need to remember manual recharge dates
• Hassle-free travel across highways

In short, Auto-Recharge makes your FASTag as convenient as swiping a debit card.

How Auto-Recharge Works

The Auto-Recharge feature functions on simple logic:

• You set a minimum threshold balance (for example, ₹500).
• You set a recharge amount (for example, ₹1,000).
• Whenever your FASTag balance falls below ₹500, the system automatically tops up ₹1,000 from your linked bank account.

This way, your FASTag account always stays funded, and you can drive through toll plazas without interruptions.

Benefits of FASTag Auto-Recharge

1. Uninterrupted Travel
    Say goodbye to waiting at toll booths due to low balance.
2. Time-Saving
    No need to log in every time to recharge FASTag manually.
3. Budget Control
    You decide the minimum threshold and recharge amount.
4. Multiple Setup Options
    You can activate Auto-Recharge via mobile apps, net banking, or portals.
5. Secure Transactions
    Every recharge is processed through safe and encrypted banking systems.

Ways to Set Up Auto-Recharge for FASTag

There are several ways to enable Auto-Recharge, depending on the platform you prefer to use.

1. FASTag Auto-Recharge through iMobile App

Setting up Auto-Recharge using ICICI Bank’s iMobile app is simple.

Step-by-step process:

1. Log in to the iMobile app.
2. Navigate to the ‘Bill Pay, Recharge & FASTag’ section under ‘Transact’.
3. Select the ‘ICICI FASTag’ icon to go to the FASTag management dashboard.
4. Click on ‘Manage’ and choose ‘Set up Auto-Recharge’.
5. Enter your vehicle number, set the minimum and maximum recharge amounts, and select your Savings Account Number.
6. Double-check details and click ‘Set Auto-Recharge’.

Once enabled, your FASTag will automatically reload whenever the balance falls below the minimum threshold.

2. FASTag Auto-Recharge through Net Banking

If you prefer desktop access, you can use ICICI Bank Net Banking.

Steps to follow:

1. Log in with your User ID and Password.
2. Go to ‘Payments & Transfers’ and click on ‘Buy/Recharge FASTag’.
3. On the FASTag dashboard, select ‘Recharge’.
4. Enter your vehicle number, and recharge amount.
5. Choose your linked Savings Account and confirm.

Your FASTag is now linked with Auto-Recharge via Net Banking.

3. FASTag Auto-Recharge through ICICI Bank FASTag Portal

You can also activate Auto-Recharge through the dedicated FASTag portal.

Steps include:

1. Visit the portal: ICICI Bank FASTag Portal.
2. Log in using your credentials.
3. Navigate to ‘Payments’ and select ‘Standing Instructions for UPI’.
4. Enter details such as frequency, Virtual Payment Address (VPA), recharge amount, and start date.
5. Authorise the mandate in your UPI-enabled mobile banking app.
6. Confirm the pre-debit notification received 24 hours before the scheduled recharge.

This ensures that your FASTag is topped up automatically through UPI instructions.

Who Can Benefit from Auto-Recharge

1. Daily Commuters
    If you cross toll plazas every day, Auto-Recharge ensures your FASTag never runs out.
2. Long-Distance Travelers
    For frequent highway drives, Auto-Recharge saves you from mid-journey recharge worries.
3. Fleet Owners
    Businesses managing multiple vehicles can streamline toll payments without manual intervention.
4. Occasional Travelers
    Even if you drive occasionally, setting Auto-Recharge keeps your FASTag active without reminders.

Example Scenario: The Convenience of Auto-Recharge

Ravi, a professional who travels daily between cities, often forgot to recharge his FASTag. Each time, this led to delays at toll plazas. After enabling Auto-Recharge, his FASTag account now recharges automatically whenever the balance falls below ₹500. This not only saves him time but also ensures smoother journeys without unnecessary stops.

FASTag Auto-Recharge vs Manual Top-Ups

Clearly, Auto-Recharge provides a hassle-free experience compared to manual top-ups.

Conclusion

Managing toll payments should never slow you down on highways. By setting up Auto-Recharge for FASTag, you can skip manual top-ups, avoid low balance issues, and enjoy uninterrupted journeys.

Leading banks like ICICI Bank make this process simple through multiple digital channels such as the iMobile app, Net Banking, and FASTag portals. Once enabled, Auto-Recharge ensures your FASTag is always funded, so your focus stays on driving, not on payments.

Also Read: 10 Things You Might Not Know About FASTag