The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has unveiled fresh highway toll rules which will come into effect from November 1, 2026. The new highway toll rules allow qualified private vehicle owners who stay within 20km of a toll plaza to get an annual pass at Rs 1,500 or Rs 3,000 depending on the location of the toll plaza. The plan is to eliminate toll costs for those who frequently drive on a particular toll plaza, such as for commuting to work.

Key Highlights

• Eligible private vehicle owners within 20 kilometres of covered toll plazas can obtain annual local passes from November 1.

• The annual fee is Rs 1500 or Rs 3000 depending on eligibility, toll plaza location and applicable exemptions.

The amendments to the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008, were notified on October 26, 2026. The pass, however, will not be offered to anyone who lives close to a toll plaza because certain requirements must be met for the applicant.

New Highway Toll Pass Rules From November 1, 2026

The new highway toll rules also mean that eligible private vehicle owners living within 20 kilometres of a specially designated toll plaza will be able to buy a concessional local pass for the year, at a reduced rate. The pass will apply only to that specific toll plaza, and not allow for free driving on all national highways or toll plazas.

The scheme will be for the benefit of regular local commuters, such as those commuting to work, school or other destinations. Toll plaza applicants should check if their local toll plaza is included.

Highway Toll Annual Pass Fees Rs 1,500 or Rs 3,000

Under the new fee structure, eligible motorists will pay an annual fee based on the location of the toll plaza.

The pass is only valid for the toll plaza for which it is issued. Does not provide complimentary toll travel at all stations in a state or nationwide.

The amount of money saved will depend on the frequency with which a motorist uses the toll plaza and the tolls he or she would take if it was not there. The annual pass could be a good idea for regular commuters, and for occasional travellers, they should weigh the cost of the pass against their anticipated toll charges.

Who Is Eligible for the New Highway Toll Local Pass?

Vehicle owners must meet the prescribed conditions to qualify for the concessional annual pass. The eligibility requirements outlined in the reported rules include:

• Residential distance: The applicant must reside within a 20-kilometre radius of the relevant toll plaza.

• Private vehicle: The vehicle must be registered for non-commercial use. Commercial vehicles are excluded.

• Valid FASTag: The vehicle must have an active and valid FASTag.

• Address verification: Applicants may need to provide Aadhaar or other specified documents to verify their residential address and eligibility.

• Toll plaza eligibility: The designated toll plaza must be covered by the scheme and meet the applicable conditions.

Meeting the distance requirement alone does not guarantee approval. Applicants should verify the requirements applicable to their specific toll plaza and the documents required before submitting an application.

Can You Use Monthly and Annual Local Toll Passes Together?

No. The reported provisions do not provide the option of using both the concessional annual local pass and the monthly pass for the same vehicle.

Once a motorist has to final choice of the selection, they should compare their frequency of travel and the cost of tolls that they anticipate. An annual pass might save money for those who pass the toll plaza more than once a week. If traveling is not something that happens on a regular basis, it might be more convenient to use a monthly pass or regularly paid tolls.

Which Toll Plazas Are Excluded From the Local Pass Facility?

While a vehicle owner's address may be within the 20-kilometre radius from the toll plaza, the concessional pass will not be available at all of the toll plazas.

Under the reported rules, a service road or alternative road must be provided for the journey in question and can be excluded under the scheme's conditions for toll plazas. Highways and expressways under a Closed User Fee Collection System will also not be covered.

Such exclusions are why it is crucial for motorists to find out whether their specific toll plaza is included in the pass before they buy one.

India is also exploring barrier-free and GPS-based tolling systems to enable distance-based toll collection and reduce waiting times on national highways.

New Highway Toll Pass Rules in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh state has 135 toll plazas under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the information states in the report. The new facility may be useful to anyone who lives close to one of these plazas and has a car that is qualified to use them, and especially for those who commute to work, learn, or engage in personal activities.

The pass, however, won't be available automatically at all of the 135 toll stations. This will depend on the circumstances that apply and on where the toll will be set and the road set up.

It is, therefore, advisable for residents to check the availability of the concessional pass at the toll plaza that they will be using before applying.

Also Read: New Telecom Rules from Oct: Prepaid Mobile Recharge to Get Cheaper?

What Should Motorists Check Before Applying?

The vehicle owners should check their residential qualification, vehicle registration category, FASTag status and annual fee before buying the annual local toll pass. They should also verify the following: if the toll plaza is part of the scheme, what documents are required for payment of toll and what is the address proof required?

The motorists should refer to the official notification or the concerned NHAI or toll plaza officials for the final application procedure, complete list of documents and conditions at the toll plaza for the specific provision.