The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has made ‘OneTag’, a FASTag portability service, operational on the Rajmargyatra app. The new service allows highway users to change their issuer bank without replacing the FASTag sticker on their vehicle.Users earlier had to purchase a new FASTag to change their issuer bank and remove the existing tag from their vehicle. The new system will work along the lines of mobile number portability, where users need not change their SIM card to switch to another telecom service provider.The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, recently launched the service at the Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai. With over 13 crore FASTags issued to date and more than 98% of National Highway user-fee collection now happening digitally through FASTag, it is expected to benefit a large section of vehicle owners.How to port FASTag to a new bankHighway users who want to change the bank linked to their FASTag have to first log in to the Rajmargyatra app and check their eligibility by entering their registration number. The user will then receive a six-digit mobile verification code from the current issuer bank.After this, the user must select a new issuer, complete customer verification and wallet onboarding with the new issuer to complete the portability process. Upon successful portability, the FASTag ID linked to the vehicle registration number will remain unchanged. The user can continue with the existing tag and use the new bank account to pay at toll plazas.Can it be ported again?Yes, but not immediately. According to NHAI, a user can port to a new bank only after six months. “After portability is completed, previous issuer will close the existing FASTag wallet and refund the available balance, post applicable adjustments. Also, interoperable FASTag has a cooling period of 6 months before it can be ported again,” said the NHAI in a statement.Also Read | NHAI increases rate of the FASTag Annual pass: What has changed?Story continues below this adThe authority further said that the ‘OneTag’ initiative will help to improve FASTag lifecycle management by reducing the need for repeated tag production, thereby lowering operational costs, dispatching, and reissuance expenses.“‘OneTag’ will also help to streamline the issuer-switching journey, enhance customer choice and contribute to a more interoperable and efficient FASTag ecosystem,” the NHAI said.How do the FASTag stickers work?FASTags became mandatory on National Highways from 2019 onwards. The device employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for payments directly from the prepaid or savings account linked to it. It is affixed on the windscreen, so the vehicle can drive through plazas without stopping for a smoother journey. RFID technology is similar to that used in transport access-control systems, like a Metro smart card.RFID is a wireless tracking system that consists of tags and readers. Radio waves are used to communicate the information/identity of objects or people to nearby readers — devices that can be hand-held or built into fixed positions like poles or buildings.Story continues below this adThe tags use an integrated circuit and an antenna to communicate with a reader using radio waves at several different frequencies – low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and ultra-high frequency (UHF). The message sent back by the tag in the form of radio waves is translated into data and analysed by the host computer system.Unlike Barcodes, RFIDs do not require a direct line of sight to identify objects. The tags can also carry encrypted information, serial numbers and short descriptions. High-memory tags are designed for use in industries like aviation.Dheeraj Mishra is a Principal Correspondent with the Business Bureau of The Indian Express. He plays a critical role in covering India's massive infrastructure sectors, providing in-depth reporting on the connectivity lifelines of the nation. Expertise & Focus Areas: Mishra’s journalism is focused on two of the country's most capital-intensive and public-facing ministries: Ministry of Railways: Tracking the operations, safety, and development of India's vast railway network. Ministry of Road Transport & Highways: Covering policy decisions, infrastructure projects, and highway development. What sets Mishra apart is his rigorous use of the Right to Information (RTI) Actas a primary tool for news gathering. By relying on official data and government records, he ensures a high degree of accuracy and trustworthiness in his reporting. This data-driven approach has resulted in numerous impactful reports that hold public institutions accountable and bring transparency to government operations. Find all stories by Dheeraj Mishra here ... Read More Tags:Express ExplainedFASTags