In a major relief for millions of vehicle owners, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to do away with the cumbersome Know Your Vehicle (KYV) process for activating new FASTags. This significant policy shift, announced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, will come into effect for all FASTags issued from 1 February 2026.
End of an Era: Phasing Out KYV Verification
The mandatory KYV verification, which required motorists to submit multiple documents and images, was often cited as a source of inconvenience and delays. Previously, the system mandated that all 40 banks issuing FASTags conduct this verification for vehicles. The step was initially introduced to ensure FASTags were correctly linked to vehicle registration numbers, thereby preventing misuse and plugging revenue leaks at toll plazas across the country.
Customers had to provide a detailed set of documents, including images of the vehicle's Registration Certificate (front and back), a front photo clearly showing the windshield and number plate, a side profile of the entire vehicle, and a picture of the FASTag affixed on the windshield from inside the car.
The New, Streamlined System: Pre-Activation Validation
Replacing the old KYV mandate, NHAI has now introduced robust pre-activation validation norms for issuer banks. The cornerstone of this new system is a mandatory VAHAN-based validation. This means a FASTag will be activated only after the vehicle's details are successfully verified against the central VAHAN database.
The ministry has outlined four key safeguards under this revamped framework:
- Mandatory VAHAN Check: Activation is contingent on validation from the VAHAN database.
- No Post-Activation Hassle: The need for repeated customer follow-ups after activation is eliminated.
- RC as Fallback: In exceptional cases where vehicle data is unavailable on VAHAN, banks will use the Registration Certificate for validation before activation.
- Online FASTags Included: FASTags purchased through online channels will also be activated only after complete validation by the banks.
What This Means for Highway Users
For the vast majority of existing Class 4 vehicles (cars, jeeps, vans) with FASTags, the KYV requirement is now scrapped. The ministry stated this move is a decisive step to enhance public convenience and eliminate post-activation harassment faced by highway users.
However, the KYV process will still be triggered in specific scenarios to maintain system integrity. These include cases of complaints, loose or duplicate tags, or any mismatch discovered between the vehicle number and the linked FASTag. This ensures that the safeguards against misuse remain in place while simplifying the journey for honest users.
This overhaul is expected to significantly smoothen the experience of obtaining and activating a FASTag, encouraging wider adoption and ensuring seamless movement at toll plazas nationwide.
