Deactivating and closing your FASTag account when you sell or transfer your vehicle is crucial to avoid unnecessary complications. Timely action ensures a seamless transition and protects you from unnecessary monetary or documentary complications. 

This article provides a straightforward guideline on deactivating your FASTag account with minimal effort. Whether you are an existing user or a new adopter of FASTag, the steps make the task easier. By following this guide, you will confidently understand how to deactivate your FASTag account without any issues.

FASTag is an electronic toll collection system that allows for toll payments without barriers. It employs RFID technology and is a small, reusable tag that is maintained on a vehicle's windshield. A scanner reads the tag whenever a car comes through a toll plaza, and the corresponding charge is deducted electronically from a prepaid linked account. 

This system reduces waiting time at toll booths, eliminates cash transactions, and ensures a hassle-free ride on national highways. Here are its key features:

Online deactivation of your FASTag account is a straightforward, easy, and convenient process. The deactivation process of the FASTag online portal is summarised as follows:

Log in to your Account

Go to your service provider's portal or mobile application and log in with your credentials. Ensure you have your login credentials readily available and easily accessible.

Step 2: Account Settings Option

Find the "Manage FASTag" or "Account Settings" section of the portal. All these applicable account management features, including deactivation, are available under this option.

Step 3: Request for Deactivation

Click on the option to close or deactivate your FASTag account. This stage verifies that the system has received the request to close the account.

Step 4: Fill in the Details

These should include necessary information, such as vehicle registration and FASTag ID. The finer details will help minimise delays in processing your request.

Step 5: Submit Deactivation Request

Confirm the submission of your form to complete deactivation. After submission, an email/SMS will be sent to you if your request is complete.

Step 6. Track Status

You can check the deactivation status via your portal or application. This will keep you informed about your deactivation status, whether it is pending, on hold, or completed.

If you prefer a more offline approach, this is how you can complete the process offline without relying on online platforms:

Visit Your Nearest Branch

Get your tag from the parent branch from which you got it. Additionally, all necessary documents for the deactivation procedure must be carried.

Fill out the Deactivation Form

Obtain the FASTag closure application and complete it. Recheck all the details before submitting them to avoid any delay in processing.

Form Submission

Submit the duly filled application and other documents to the bank professional. Confirm that they have collected all the necessary details for processing.

Receive Confirmation

The bank will process your request for deactivation and contact you via email or text message once it is completed.

Follow-up

Continue to call the bank for feedback on your application for deactivation, in case you do not receive a response within the specified period.

After successful deactivation, the remaining amount in your FASTag may be refunded to your account. To apply for a refund, you must use the FASTag online portal. Here is a comprehensive step-by-step process for the refund:

Step 1: Request Refund at Deactivation

While deactivating your FASTag, submit a formal application to the bank, stating that you would like a refund for the unused balance. Please mention your intention to settle the remaining balance.

Step 2: Account Verification and Pending Transactions

Before processing the refund, the bank ensures that the candidate is associated with the correct account details and has no pending toll transactions.

Step 3: Refund Processing

After verification, the bank will refund the amounts to your bank account or the original payment mode used for payment. The reimbursement will be according to the standard bank procedures.

Step 4: Wait for a Refund

A refund will take 7-10 days to appear in your account. Do not worry about the bank taking the time to initiate such a process. You shall receive a confirmation after the refund is processed.

When deactivating your FASTag account, you may encounter certain challenges. Some of the key challenges include:

Balance-related Problems in Your Account

Ensure that your FASTag account balance is exhausted or refunded before deactivating. It saves you from unnecessary hassles.

Issue in Registering the Vehicle

Verify again whether your vehicle details have been linked to FASTag to avoid discrepancies, which will delay or prevent the deactivation process of your FASTag.

KYC Verification

The deactivation request will fail if the KYC documents are incomplete or invalid. Ensure that your documents are up-to-date and accurate to facilitate a smoother Know Your Customer (KYC) procedure.

Login Fault

Forgetting your account password may block access to the deactivation portal. Reset your password to move forward. If you are still experiencing any issues, please contact our customer care.

Delayed Refunds

Refunds can take time, follow up with customer care. Minor delays, while slightly annoying, are typical for receiving balances. The refunds are provided within 2-3 working days.

Partial Deactivation

Sometimes, a FASTag remains active after an attempt to deactivate it. For a rare occurrence, contact your provider and customer care immediately.

Typically, the most common issues arise when the user deactivates the FASTag account, which hinders the process. To avoid this, one must follow certain key precautions, including:

Unsettled Pending Toll Transactions

It is recommended to settle any pending toll transactions before applying for deactivation to avoid incurring unnecessary charges. Pending transactions might raise issues during the deactivation process.

Incorrect Details

All information entered, such as vehicle number and FASTag ID, should be accurate. Any wrong detail might delay the deactivation process. Hence, ensure that you cross-check your details.

Technical Glitches

Server downtime may delay deactivation since it occurs on online portals or apps. Before proceeding, always check that the system is up and running.

Not Responsive Support

Sometimes, customer care is unavailable or responds very slowly. It usually irritates people, so it's better to follow up with them multiple times to find a suitable solution.

After selling your car, ensure the buyer deactivates the FASTag associated with the vehicle and removes the sticker to prevent any future issues. Otherwise, the FASTag will result in toll charges being billed to the wrong user after the car is sold, which will leave the current owner surprised. 

Updating the registration certificate (RC) with the new owner's name is equally essential. Finally, deactivate and close your FASTag account, as these charges can cause hassles when they arise after the sale of your vehicle. Keep a close eye on your transactions and notify the service provider immediately if any deductions occur without your knowledge.

Deactivating a FASTag is a relatively convenient procedure. Understanding the various problems that may arise during the FASTag deactivation procedure and finding ways to address them helps avoid inconveniences, ultimately enabling individuals to deactivate their FASTag smoothly.