FASTag Users Alert: Major Verification Changes Coming in February 2026

From February 1, 2026, a new FASTag system requires banks to verify vehicle details via the VAHAN portal before activation. This "verify first, activate later” approach aims to prevent errors and unexpected deactivations.

Buying a new vehicle and suddenly finding your FASTag blocked at a toll booth has been a nightmare for many drivers. From February 1, 2026, that confusion should finally come to an end. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced a new FASTag verification system that promises fewer errors, less paperwork and smoother highway journeys.

Why Drivers Kept Facing FASTag Problems

Till now, many FASTags were activated first and verified later. That flawed system often resulted in:

• Unexpected deactivations
• Repeated warning SMS alerts
• Long arguments at toll plazas despite valid documents

The new rule flips this approach completely.

Verify First, Activate Later: The New System

From February 2026, banks can activate a FASTag only after fully verifying vehicle details. No more "activate now, check later".

This means your FASTag will work the moment it is issued — not days or weeks later.

VAHAN Portal Becomes the Official Checker

All vehicle verification will now happen through the government's VAHAN database.

Before issuing a FASTag, banks must confirm:

• Registration number
• Vehicle category
• Other essential vehicle details

If data is missing on VAHAN, banks must verify the Registration Certificate (RC) manually and take complete responsibility for any mistakes.

Big Relief for New Car Buyers: KYV Scrapped

The much-hated Know Your Vehicle (KYV) process is finally gone.

Earlier, even after getting a FASTag, users had to go through KYV checks again. From now on:

• RC verification at the time of FASTag issuance is enough
• One-time verification completes the entire process

Already Using FASTag? You Don't Have to Do Anything

If you already have a FASTag, there is nothing new for you.

As long as there is no complaint, fraud or misuse linked to your tag:

• No fresh KYC
• No KYV
• No new paperwork

Your FASTag will continue to work as usual.

When Can Banks Still Ask for Re-Verification?

Re-verification will happen only in special cases, such as:

• FASTag linked to the wrong vehicle
• Tag used on an unauthorised vehicle
• Suspicion of misuse or fraud

Otherwise, existing users are completely safe.