Here’s a detailed overview of the new FASTag-related mandate called Know Your Vehicle (KYV), why it has been introduced, how it works, and what vehicle owners need to know:
What is KYV?
KYV stands for “Know Your Vehicle”. It is an additional verification step that the government has introduced for vehicles that have FASTags. It goes beyond the usual owner-verification (KYC) to link the physical vehicle more securely to its FASTag sticker and account.
Under KYV:
- The vehicle owner must upload clear images of the vehicle: a front view showing the registration number, a side view showing the full vehicle body, and an image of the FASTag sticker affixed to the windshield.
- A copy (front & back) of the vehicle’s Registration Certificate (RC) must be submitted/uploaded.
- The FASTag-issuing bank or agency must verify the details with the national vehicle database (the VAHAN database) to ensure the vehicle registration number, chassis/engine number, FASTag, and images all align.
- The verification is valid only for a fixed period (three years) after which re-verification is required.
Why has KYV been introduced?
The key reasons the government has provided are:
- Prevent misuse of FASTags / multiple tags for one vehicle – There have been reported cases where a single vehicle uses multiple FASTags or FASTags are fixed on vehicles other than the one they originally belonged to. KYV helps enforce the “one vehicle, one tag” principle.
- Strengthen accuracy of toll collection and vehicle-tag linkage – Confirming that the FASTag is on the correct vehicle, that the vehicle details match the national database, and thereby reducing fraudulent toll transactions.
- Enhance compliance and data integrity – With more real-time checks and image uploads, agencies can flag incorrect or bogus tags and deactivate them if needed.
Key Mandatory Details & Timeline
Here are the important features and timelines that vehicle owners should know:
- The requirement is mandatory: A FASTag without a valid KYV verification may be automatically deactivated by the issuing agency.
- The verification needs to be done for each vehicle linked with a FASTag: images of the vehicle (front + side), image of the FASTag sticker (showing serial no.), and RC copy.
- The verification remains valid for three years. After that, re-verification is required.
- The “one vehicle, one tag” (OVOT) concept means each vehicle must have only one active FASTag; multiple tags or wrong tags may be cancelled.
- If your FASTag was originally linked only to the chassis number and you later got a vehicle registration number, you must update the vehicle details within a stipulated timeframe (for many banks, 90 days) to avoid deactivation.
What Does This Mean for Vehicle Owners?
As a vehicle owner, to stay compliant and avoid trouble at toll plazas, here’s what you should do:
- Check with your FASTag issuing bank/app whether KYV is pending. If yes, upload the required images/documents as soon as possible.
- Make sure the photographs are clear: the number plate must be visible, the FASTag sticker must show its serial number, and vehicle edges (front & side) must be visible. Bank portals emphasise clarity of images.
- Use official RC front and back copies—digital versions (e.g., via DigiLocker or mParivahan) are acceptable in many cases.
- If you change your vehicle (sell it) or change the registration number, ensure that the FASTag account linkage is updated/closed accordingly. A mismatch could lead to deactivation.
- Keep tracking the renewal cycle: three years after your KYV is accepted, you’ll need to do it again. Plan for this so it does not interrupt your toll usage.
- Be aware that if your FASTag is inactive (either due to non-KYV or deactivation), you may be required to pay double the toll charges at national highways (or other penalties) for non-compliance.
Concerns & User Experience
While KYV intends to improve system integrity, many vehicle owners have expressed concerns:
- Complaints that the image upload process is tedious; many images get rejected for minor issues (angle, lighting, number plate not fully visible).
- Questions raised whether the existing registration/vehicle database already captured many of these details, so why the extra burden now?
- Some owners worry about the consequences of missing the deadline (tag deactivation, being stopped at toll plazas) and call for clearer communications and more flexible execution.
Summary
The KYV mandate marks an important step in tightening the linkage between vehicles and their FASTags. For owners, compliance is straightforward if you follow the steps and upload clear images and valid documents. The payoff: continued seamless cashless toll access, avoidance of penalties or double toll charges, and contributing to a cleaner, fraud-resistant system.
However, the success of KYV depends on how smoothly the implementation works (image uploads, bank/app interfaces, communication with vehicle owners). If you’re a FASTag holder, it’s advisable to check your status soon—don’t wait till you face trouble at the toll booth.