Last reviewed: 30 April 2026 | Sources: National Highways, GOV.UK Dart Charge, Traffic Penalty Tribunal
TL;DR — Quick Summary
The Dart Charge is a statutory road toll at the Dartford Crossing (M25). Missing payment triggers a £70 Penalty Charge Notice — reduced to £35 if paid within 28 days. If you miss both windows, the charge rises to £105. You can appeal via National Highways and then to the independent Traffic Penalty Tribunal. Appeals must be filed promptly — deadlines are strict.
Key Facts
- Dart Charge rate: £2.50 for cars (Band A), £3.00 for vans/light goods (Band B), £6.00 for HGVs/coaches (Band C)
- Payment window: up to midnight on the day after crossing
- PCN if unpaid: £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 28 days
- PCN escalates to £105 if not paid or challenged within 28 days
- Appeal Stage 1: representations to National Highways (free)
- Appeal Stage 2: Traffic Penalty Tribunal — independent, free, binding on National Highways
What is the Dart Charge?
The Dart Charge is the electronic tolling system for the Dartford Crossing — the tunnel and Queen Elizabeth II Bridge carrying the M25 over the River Thames between Dartford (south) and Thurrock (north). The crossing is operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Charges apply in both directions. The crossing is cashless — there are no toll booths and payment must be made online, by phone or at PayPoint retail outlets before or after the crossing.
The Dart Charge is administered by National Highways (formerly Highways England) under the Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Charging Scheme Order 2013. It is a statutory toll — non-payment is a civil offence resulting in a Penalty Charge Notice issued under statutory authority, not a private contractual invoice. This distinction matters: a Dart Charge PCN has greater enforcement powers than a private parking charge.
Payment deadlines
| Payment route | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Standard pre-payment (account holders) | Auto-charged — no action needed |
| Pay after crossing | Up to midnight the day after the crossing date |
| Pay online at dartcharge.co.uk | Up to midnight the day after crossing |
| Pay by phone: 0300 300 0120 | Up to midnight the day after crossing |
| Pay at PayPoint retail outlet | Up to midnight the day after crossing |
If you miss the midnight-next-day deadline, National Highways will identify the registered keeper from DVLA records and issue a Penalty Charge Notice. There is no grace period beyond the midnight deadline.
Current crossing charges (2026)
| Vehicle type | Standard charge | Account holder (pre-pay) discount |
|---|---|---|
| Band A: Motorcycles | £1.00 | £0 (free with account) |
| Band A: Cars, taxis, light vans (up to 3.5t, 2 axles) | £2.50 | £2.00 (20% discount) |
| Band B: Vans/light goods (3.5t–7.5t, or 2-axle over 3.5t) | £3.00 | £2.63 |
| Band C: HGVs, coaches, buses (3+ axles) | £6.00 | £5.26 |
Account holders receive a 20% discount on Band A charges. Registering at dartcharge.co.uk is free and also removes the need to pay after each crossing.
What happens when you receive a Dart Charge PCN
National Highways issues PCNs to the registered keeper of the vehicle. The PCN is sent by post within 28 days of the crossing date. The notice states:
- The crossing date, time, and direction
- The vehicle registration number captured by ANPR cameras
- The PCN reference number
- The outstanding charge plus the penalty: £70 total
- Early payment option: £35 if paid within 28 days of PCN issue
- The right to make representations (appeal)
How to appeal a Dart Charge PCN
There are two stages of appeal. You must complete Stage 1 before accessing Stage 2.
Stage 1 — Representations to National Highways: Submit online at dartcharge.co.uk/pcn or in writing to the address on the PCN, within 28 days of the PCN date. Common valid grounds include: you paid but payment was not recorded (provide proof of payment reference), the vehicle was not at the crossing on that date (provide evidence), the vehicle was sold before the crossing date (provide V5C transfer evidence), the PCN was served outside the statutory time limit, or there was a genuine technical failure with the payment system evidenced by an error message. National Highways must respond within 56 days.
Stage 2 — Traffic Penalty Tribunal: If National Highways rejects your representations, they must issue a Notice of Rejection. You then have 28 days to appeal to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT) at trafficpenaltytribunal.gov.uk. The TPT is completely independent of National Highways. Its decisions are binding on National Highways but not on the motorist — if you lose, you may still pay; if you win, the PCN is cancelled and cannot be reissued. The TPT service is free. Adjudicators are qualified lawyers.
PCN escalation timeline
| Timeframe | Amount | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Within 28 days of PCN | £35 (50% discount) | Pay or file representations |
| Day 29–56 (if representations rejected) | £70 | Pay full amount or appeal to TPT within 28 days of Notice of Rejection |
| After 56 days, no payment or appeal | £105 (charge notice) | Charge certificate issued; debt registration follows |
| After debt registration | £105 + court costs | County Court enforcement; bailiff action possible |
Exempt vehicles
The following vehicle categories are exempt from Dart Charge:
- Vehicles displaying a valid disabled person's Blue Badge where the holder is travelling
- Emergency service vehicles (ambulances, fire engines, police) in operational use
- Vehicles in the historic vehicle tax class (registered before 1 January 1977 from April 2026)
- Military vehicles in official use
If your vehicle is exempt and you received a PCN, state the exemption category in your Stage 1 representations and provide supporting evidence (Blue Badge copy, MOT exemption certificate for historic vehicles, etc.).
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay the Dart Charge after receiving a PCN?
Yes — paying the outstanding crossing charge does not cancel the PCN, but it may support your representations if the delay was due to a genuine oversight. Some motorists pay the original crossing fee and simultaneously make representations stating the oversight was genuine and the charge has now been paid. National Highways has discretion to cancel the PCN in these circumstances, particularly for first-time cases.
My vehicle was caught by ANPR but I didn't cross — what do I do?
This can occur due to ANPR misreads (similar registration plates) or cloned plates. Request the ANPR photographs from National Highways immediately and compare the vehicle in the image against your vehicle. If the image shows a different vehicle, submit representations with photographic evidence of your vehicle (tax disc, identifying features) and a statement that your vehicle was not at the crossing.
Does a Dart Charge PCN affect my driving licence?
No. The Dart Charge is a civil tolling scheme. Non-payment does not result in points on your driving licence or any criminal record. Enforcement is through the civil courts only.
Can I set up a Dart Charge account retrospectively to reduce future charges?
Yes. Creating a Dart Charge account at dartcharge.co.uk gives you the 20% discount on future Band A crossings and means payment is automated. It does not cancel any outstanding PCN for past non-payment.
What if National Highways doesn't respond within 56 days?
If National Highways fails to respond to Stage 1 representations within 56 days, you may proceed directly to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal as if the representations had been rejected. The TPT will accept your case without a formal Notice of Rejection in these circumstances.
Sources: National Highways — Dart Charge, dartcharge.co.uk | Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Charging Scheme Order 2013 | Traffic Penalty Tribunal — trafficpenaltytribunal.gov.uk | GOV.UK — Dartford Crossing charge.
Informational only. Always check current charges and deadlines at dartcharge.co.uk. See our UK Fines and Appeals hub.
