The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has implemented Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) with RFID-based FASTag in an effort to reduce traffic delays at National Highway (NH) toll plazas all across the country. This approach allows all cars to travel through FASTag lanes without stopping to pay, allowing for speedier vehicle traffic.

What is Exempted FASTag?

The Ministry also ordered that exempted FASTags be given to all vehicle categories specified as “exempt from paying user charge” in accordance with Rule 11 of the National Highways Fees Rules, 2008. According to the regulation, the Ministry has published a list of exempted FASTag vehicles that still require the FASTag sticker despite being exempt from paying the price at NH plazas across India.

The following are the Exempted FASTag vehicle categories:

List of Exempted Vehicles

Exempted Vehicle Type (Transporting and Travelling With)	Code
President of India	1
Vice-President of India	2
PM of India	3
State Governor	4
Chief Justice of India	5
Speaker of the house of people	6
Union Cabinet Minister	7
State CM	8
Supreme Court Judge	9
State Minister	10
Lieutenant Governor of a Union Territory	11
Chief of Staff	12
State Legislative Council Chairman	13
State Legislative Council Speaker	14
High Court Chief Justice	15
High Court Judge	16
MP	17
Army Commander of Vice-Chief of Army Staff and equivalent in other services	18
State Government Chief Secretary	19
Secretary to the Government of India	20
Council of States Secretary	21
House of People Secretary	22
Foreign Dignitary on State Visit	23
MLA and MLC	24
Param Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Vir Chakra and Shaurya Chakra Awardee	25
Ministry of Defense including those eligible under the Indian Toll (Army and Air Force) Act, 1901	27
Central and State Armed Forces in Uniform, Paramilitary Forces and Police	28
Executive Magistrate	29
Fire-Fighting Department or Organisation	30
NHAI/ Government Organisation utilizing vehicles for the purpose of inspection, construction or operational or maintenance of national highways and survey.	31
Ambulance	32
Funeral Van	33
Mechanical Vehicles Designed for use by persons suffering from physical disability	34

Documents Required for Exempted FASTag Application:

When applying for an exempted FASTag, the applicant must have scanned copies of the documents listed below:

1. Filled Application Form
2. RC of the Vehicle
3. ID Proof: Aadhar Card/ Driving License/ PAN Card/ Voter ID
4. Proof of Exemption

Online Registration Process for Exempted FASTag

Follow the steps listed below to apply for an Exempted FASTag in India:

Step 1: Log on to the IHMCL website and register yourself as a new user by providing your name and other contact details (phone number, email ID, city of residence)

Step 2: After registering successfully, a unique user ID and password will be sent to the email ID you provided.

Step 3: Log in to the IHMCL website with your ID-Password combination.

Step 4: Download exempted FASTag form from the “Dashboard” section.

Step 5: Click on the “Upload Form” option and 

• Select the exemption code (based on the table provided above).
• Select the appropriate NHAI regional office.
• Enter the applicant’s name and other contact details (phone number, email ID).
• Fill in the vehicle’s registration number that is to be exempted.
• Upload scanned copies of the documents listed above.

Step 6: Click “Submit”. You will now receive your application case ID on the registered email ID.

Step 7: Upon approval,  you will receive an email notification and you are then required to collect your exempted FASTag from the NHAI Regional Office selected earlier.

NHAI SOP Policy for Exempted FASTag

• Exempted category FASTags shall be given to road users in accordance with Rule 11 of the NH Fee Rule 2008 and later revisions, on the basis of an application made by the applicant or an authorized representative.
• The NHAI will serve as the central point for all concerns pertaining to the issuance of all exempted FASTags.
• Exempted FASTags will be distributed at no cost to the exempted groups.
• The NHAI or any entity authorized by the NHAI must get the exemption FASTag, manage the entire procedure, and keep proper records.
• NHAII, the NHAI-authorized agency, would be the sole issuer of all exempted categories of FASTag in India.
• It is optional to link bank account information with “FASTag” in the case of covered dignitaries.
• A monthly report on exempted FASTags issued must be sent to MoRTH by the 5th of every month.
• Vehicles/persons who have been exempted from paying fees and charges but have not been tagged with a functional exempted FASTag will continue to benefit from the exemption upon provision of a valid ID card.

FAQs 

1. How to check exempted FASTag application status?

Step 1: Visit the IMHCL website.

Step 2: Login by entering your user ID and password combination.

Step 3: On this screen, you can check the status of your application.

2. How to get exempted FASTag for defense personnel?

Follow the steps listed below to apply for an Exempted FASTag in India:

Step 1: Log on to the IHMCL website and register yourself as a new user by providing your name and other contact details (phone number, email ID, city of residence)

Step 2: After registering successfully, a unique user ID and password will be sent to the email ID you provided.

Step 3: Log in to the IHMCL website with your ID-Password combination.

Step 4: Download exempted FASTag form from the “Dashboard” section.

Step 5: Click on the “Upload Form” option and 

• Select the exemption code 27 for Defense Personnel.
• Select the appropriate NHAI regional office.
• Enter the applicant’s name and other contact details (phone number, email ID).
• Fill in the vehicle’s registration number that is to be exempted.
• Upload scanned copies of the documents listed above.

Step 6: Click “Submit”. You will now receive your application case ID on the registered email ID.

Step 7: Upon approval,  you will receive an email notification and you are then required to collect your exempted FASTag from the NHAI Regional Office selected earlier.

3. Is FASTag exemption applicable for local residents?

Tolls would have to be paid if the bona fide resident traveled in a vehicle other than those exempted. It is also stated that commercial vehicles such as taxis, light commercial vehicles, trucks, buses, and lorries, among others, are not exempt from paying tolls, even if they are owned by local residents.

4. Does the exempted FASTag have to be renewed?

Exempted FASTags will be valid for 5 years in the case of government cars and 1 year in the case of private vehicles, and will need to be renewed based on eligibility and criteria. Exempted FASTags for MPs and MLAs/MLCs will be valid for the duration of their respective legislative terms.