FASTag Annual Pass: When, how to buy pass, trips limits, and will ATP work for parking at malls, airports? All terms and conditions

//The Centre is set to launch an 'Annual Toll Pass' (ATP) exclusively for private car owners, allowing seamless travel through toll plazas on national highways and expressways managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Unlike FASTag, which deducts tolls from a prepaid balance, the ATP operates on a one-time payment model and tracks usage based on the number of trips made. While FASTag remains in use, ATP will function as a parallel system. This pass will not be available for taxis or commercial vehicles—only private cars are eligible.

With the pass, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that the toll charges on national highways that came to about Rs 10,000 earlier will now come to Rs 3,000. He said that one trip would mean crossing one toll and the average cost per toll will come down to Rs 15.

Here are all your questions on ATP answered:

When can you get an ATP?

NHAI will begin issuing Annual Toll Passes (ATPs) from August 15. Priced at ₹3,000, each ATP will be valid for one year from the date of purchase.

How many trips allowed per year?

During the one-year validity, an ATP holder will be entitled to 200 trips on the NHAI network. After exceeding this limit, users can either renew the ATP for another year or switch to paying via FASTag. Purchasing an ATP is not mandatory—drivers can continue using FASTag if they prefer.

How much will you save if have an ATP?
For frequent inter-state travellers, the ATP offers significant savings. Take the Delhi-Chandigarh route on NH-44 as an example, currently, a one-way trip costs around Rs 325 in tolls across four plazas. After just nine one-way trips, you've already spent over Rs 3,000, which is the cost of an ATP. But with the ATP, you can make up to 50 one-way trips for the same amount, effectively bringing down the toll to just Rs 60 per trip, or Rs 15 per toll plaza, compared to the existing Rs 325.

Will ATP work on state highways and expressways?
No. ATP will work on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway (NHAI) but not Mumbai-Pune expressway and Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Mahamarg (state government). Since no state toll plaza will read an ATP, you will continue to be charged through FASTag when you drive through these.

How do you get an ATP?
The Annual Toll Pass can be purchased exclusively through NHAI’s Rajmargyatra mobile app or official website. It won’t be available via any third-party platforms, offline stores, bank websites, or other portals. Applications for the ATP will open in mid-July.

Once your application is verified, NHAI will activate the pass within two hours. The ATP won’t be a separate card or tag—it will be linked directly to your existing FASTag. To activate the pass, you'll need to give consent through the Rajmargyatra app, allowing it to access the mobile number registered with your FASTag-issuing bank for SMS alerts and related updates.

NHAI has urged users to avoid buying ATPs from unauthorised sources to prevent fraud. For assistance, you can contact the NHAI helpline at 1033.

Can you use an ATP on 2 cars?
No. Just like FASTag, ATP will be valid only for the car for which it is issued. ATP will be non-transferable. Use on another vehicle will result in deactivation. ATP will also not be issued for FASTags linked to chassis numbers.

Can ATP be used for parking at malls and airports?
The annual pass will not cover any such fee collection point. Parking fees will be deducted via FASTag as usual.