Got questions about how to pay the Dart Charge? You’ve come to the right place. We have answers to all your queries about paying the Dart Charge, showing you how you can save money, and how to avoid fines.

1 How much does the Dart Charge cost?

How much you pay for the Dart Charge depends on what vehicle you are driving and whether or not you have a Dart Charge Payment account. The costs are as follows.

Vehicle type                                           Without an account                         With an account

Cars                                                              £2.50                                         £2.00

Two-axle goods vehicles                              £3.00                                         £2.63

Multi-axle goods vehicles                             £6.00                                         £5.19

2 When do I pay the Dart Charge?

Any vehicle using the Dartford Crossing between 6 am and 10 pm is eligible to pay the Dart Charge. The crossing is free to use between 10 pm and 6 am and the charge does not apply to motorbikes.

3 How can I pay the Dart Charge?

There are several ways you can pay the Dart Charge. Setting up a pre-pay account is the most cost-effective method of payment. Your options are as follows:

–        Pre-pay Dart Charge account

–        Online Dart Charge payment

–        Pay As You Go Dart Charge

–        Single-use Dart Charge payment

–        Payment by phone

–        Payment by Payzone retail outlet

–        Payment by post

4 How long do I have to pay?

When you have used the crossing you have until midnight the following day to pay the Dart Charge. Payments can also be made online up to 12 months before you make the crossing.

5 What happens if I forget to pay the Dart Charge?

It’s more than likely you will remember to pay the Dart Charge. When you use the Dartford Crossing, there are plenty of signs to remind you. However, sometimes life gets in the way. You might be rushing to catch a flight or to meet a deadline. Either way, if you do forget it won’t be for long. The crossing operates an automatic number plate recognition system so you’ll be tracked down soon enough and hit with a fine.

6 How much is the fine for not paying the Dart Charge?

The penalty charges are fairly steep – and the longer you take to pay, the pricier it gets. If you fail to pay on time, you’ll immediately face a £70 fine, but if you pay within 14 days, that amount will be reduced to £35. However, if you still haven’t paid the fine after 28 days of making the crossing, your penalty charge will be increased to £105. Penalty charges are payable every time you use the crossing, so if you’re not on the ball, a return trip could end up costing you up to £210.

7 Do I need to pay the Dart Charge if I’m riding a bike?

It’s not possible to ride a bike through the Dartford Crossing however, there is a collection vehicle that will transport you and your bike safely across. The service is free to use. You just need to use the yellow phone at either Kent Point or Essex Point and request a pick-up vehicle. It usually takes about 15 minutes for the vehicle to arrive, or longer if there is a lot of congestion.

Find out more about how to pay the Dart Charge on the gov.uk website.

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