It’s all part of a
major road improvement programme to reduce congestion, at the Dartford
Crossing, which crosses the River Thames and links Essex and Kent. The new
payment system is called Dart Charge.
What is Dart Charge?
This means that you will no longer stop to pay at the barriers, but instead you will be able to pay in advance or by midnight the day after your journey. As a vehicle makes a crossing, number plate reading cameras, lasers and tag readers will identify it to see how much needs to be paid.
So how do you pay?
The best option for many drivers, will be to open a pre-pay Dart Charge account. You can register more than one vehicle to an account, and it offers a discount of up to a third on the crossing charge. Once it is set up, you don’t need to remember to pay for your vehicle, as it can be automatically topped up.
How can I set up a pre-pay account?
Online at www.gov.uk/dart-charge
By phone on 0300 300 0120
By post. Call us on the number above and we’ll send you a registration form.
I don’t want to open an account. Can I still make one-off payments?
From 30 November you will be able to make one-off payments in advance or by midnight the day after your journey:
Online at www.gov.uk/dart-charge
By phone on 0300 300 0120
In advance by post to PO Box 842, Leeds, LS1 9QF with a cheque or postal order. You cannot pay by post after your journey
At a Payzone retail outlet. Cash payment accepted.
Do I have to pay Dart Charge if I am a disabled driver or have a disabled passenger?
What is Dart Charge?
This means that you will no longer stop to pay at the barriers, but instead you will be able to pay in advance or by midnight the day after your journey. As a vehicle makes a crossing, number plate reading cameras, lasers and tag readers will identify it to see how much needs to be paid.
So how do you pay?
The best option for many drivers, will be to open a pre-pay Dart Charge account. You can register more than one vehicle to an account, and it offers a discount of up to a third on the crossing charge. Once it is set up, you don’t need to remember to pay for your vehicle, as it can be automatically topped up.
How can I set up a pre-pay account?
Online at www.gov.uk/dart-charge
By phone on 0300 300 0120
By post. Call us on the number above and we’ll send you a registration form.
I don’t want to open an account. Can I still make one-off payments?
From 30 November you will be able to make one-off payments in advance or by midnight the day after your journey:
Online at www.gov.uk/dart-charge
By phone on 0300 300 0120
In advance by post to PO Box 842, Leeds, LS1 9QF with a cheque or postal order. You cannot pay by post after your journey
At a Payzone retail outlet. Cash payment accepted.
Do I have to pay Dart Charge if I am a disabled driver or have a disabled passenger?
If you do not have to pay vehicle tax for your vehicle because of your or your
passenger’s disability, then you do not have to pay the Dartford Crossing
charge, because your vehicle is exempt. This will not change under the new Dart
Charge payment system.
The number plate of your vehicle will be checked against the DVLA database, and this will automatically detect all vehicles that are exempt from vehicle excise duty, and you will not have to pay.
You can apply for exemption from paying vehicle tax if you get the:
higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement
www.gov.uk/financial-help-disabled/vehicles-and-transport
If you have a Blue Badge you will still need to pay the crossing charge unless you are in a VED exempt vehicle. This is currently the case, and this is not changing. It is the vehicle that is exempt, not the person.
What happens if I’m not exempt and I don’t pay?
If you do not pay by midnight the day after crossing, you will face a penalty.
Is there any way that I can avoid the charge?
The Dartford Crossing will remain free for all vehicles that cross between 10pm-6am daily.
The number plate of your vehicle will be checked against the DVLA database, and this will automatically detect all vehicles that are exempt from vehicle excise duty, and you will not have to pay.
You can apply for exemption from paying vehicle tax if you get the:
higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement
www.gov.uk/financial-help-disabled/vehicles-and-transport
If you have a Blue Badge you will still need to pay the crossing charge unless you are in a VED exempt vehicle. This is currently the case, and this is not changing. It is the vehicle that is exempt, not the person.
What happens if I’m not exempt and I don’t pay?
If you do not pay by midnight the day after crossing, you will face a penalty.
Is there any way that I can avoid the charge?
The Dartford Crossing will remain free for all vehicles that cross between 10pm-6am daily.
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