UK toll charge appeal 2026: how to challenge Dart Charge, M6 Toll and bridge tolls

Chandraketu Tripathi

Finance Editor, Kaeltripton

Published 10 May 2026

Last reviewed 10 May 2026

✓ Fact-checked

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TL;DR

UK toll roads and crossings issue Penalty Charge Notices for non-payment. You have a statutory right to appeal a PCN through the operator's formal process and then to an independent adjudicator. Common grounds include: the crossing was not used, the vehicle was exempt, the PCN contained errors, or payment was made but not recorded. Always appeal in writing and keep copies of all correspondence and evidence.

The UK has several major tolled crossings and roads in operation in 2026, including the Dartford Crossing (Dart Charge), M6 Toll, Mersey Gateway Bridge, Humber Bridge, Queensferry Crossing, and the Severn crossings. Each is operated differently, with some issuing statutory Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) through powers granted by order under the Transport Act or specific bridge acts, and others operating under different legal frameworks. The appeal routes and rights vary accordingly.

Dart Charge (the ANPR-based payment system for the Dartford Crossing) is one of the most frequent sources of toll PCNs in England. Because payment must be made online, by phone, or via retail outlets by midnight the day after crossing - rather than at a physical toll booth - missed payments are common. This guide covers the appeal process for the main UK tolled crossings, valid grounds for appeal, and what to do if a PCN has escalated to a charge certificate or debt collection stage.

Key facts (2026)

Dart Charge PCN: £70 full penalty, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days. Failure to pay within 28 days results in a Charge Certificate increasing the penalty by 50% (National Highways / Dart Charge).
Dart Charge informal challenge must be made within 28 days of the PCN. If rejected, a formal representation can be made within 28 days of the Notice to Owner. If that is rejected, appeal to the independent Traffic Penalty Tribunal within 28 days (Traffic Management Act 2004).
Vehicles exempt from Dart Charge tolls include: motorcycles, vehicles used by disabled persons with a valid Blue Badge in certain circumstances, and emergency vehicles responding to incidents (National Highways).
M6 Toll is operated by Midlands Expressway Limited (MEL) as a private toll road. Non-payment penalties are pursued as civil debt rather than statutory PCNs; different appeal rights apply compared with statutory schemes (MEL terms).
Mersey Gateway and Humber Bridge both issue statutory PCNs under bridge-specific legislation; the appeal process mirrors the council PCN route with an independent adjudicator at the final stage (Mersey Gateway Crossings Board / Humber Bridge Board).

Dart Charge: the appeal process

The Dartford Crossing is managed by National Highways using the Dart Charge ANPR system. Payment is due by midnight on the day after crossing. If you do not pay, National Highways issues a PCN to the registered keeper. The process mirrors the council PCN statutory route. First, you can make an informal challenge within 28 days of the PCN, setting out why you believe the PCN should not have been issued. If the challenge is rejected, a Notice to Owner is issued. You have 28 days to make formal representations on the statutory grounds. If formal representations are rejected, you can appeal to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal within 28 days of the rejection notice. The adjudicator's decision is binding on National Highways. Throughout this process, the payment deadline is suspended pending the outcome. Dart Charge also allows you to retrospectively pay the toll within the challenge window to reduce or cancel the PCN in many circumstances; check the Dart Charge website for the current policy on late payment resolution during the appeal window.

Valid grounds for appealing a toll PCN

The strongest grounds for appealing a Dart Charge or Mersey Gateway PCN include: the vehicle did not use the crossing on the date stated; the vehicle is exempt from the toll charge (for example, a motorcycle, which is exempt at Dartford); payment was made but not correctly recorded - provide your payment reference number and bank statement showing the debit; the PCN was issued to the wrong person because the vehicle had been sold but the DVLA record had not yet been updated - in this case you must provide evidence of the sale (V5C transfer receipt or other documentation); a technical failure of the payment system on the date in question; or the PCN contains a material error such as the wrong vehicle registration or crossing date. Photographs, payment confirmations, bank statements, and any V5C documentation are the most useful evidence to gather before submitting a challenge or appeal.

Mersey Gateway and Humber Bridge appeals

The Mersey Gateway Bridge between Runcorn and Widnes and the Humber Bridge both operate under statutory toll frameworks with PCN enforcement powers. Non-payment results in a PCN issued to the registered keeper. The appeal process for both follows the statutory two-stage route: informal challenge to the bridge operator, then formal representations, then independent adjudication. The Mersey Gateway uses the Traffic Penalty Tribunal as its adjudicator; the Humber Bridge has its own appeals process specified under the Humber Bridge Act. Check the relevant operator's website for current charge levels and appeal procedures as these are updated periodically. Both bridges offer monthly billing accounts (Merseyflow for Mersey Gateway; e-account for Humber Bridge) that provide automatic billing linked to your vehicle registration, reducing the risk of missed payments.

M6 Toll: different rules

The M6 Toll (running between Coleshill and Cannock in the West Midlands) is a private toll road operated by Midlands Expressway Limited (MEL). Unlike the statutory toll crossings, the M6 Toll's enforcement powers operate under contract law rather than statutory PCN powers. Non-payment is pursued as a civil debt. If you believe you have been incorrectly charged, contact MEL directly and dispute the charge in writing. MEL does not have access to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal adjudication process; disputes that cannot be resolved with MEL are a civil contractual matter. If a debt collector contacts you on behalf of MEL about a disputed M6 Toll charge, the position is similar to a private parking charge: the collector has no greater power than MEL and must go through the civil courts for enforcement. Keep all correspondence in writing.

What to do if a charge certificate has been issued

If you miss the formal representations deadline, a Charge Certificate is issued increasing the penalty by 50%. At this stage, you can no longer appeal through the normal statutory route; the only option is to apply to the adjudicator under the statutory out-of-time grounds, which require you to show you had reasonable grounds for missing the deadline and a valid case on the merits. If no further action is taken after the charge certificate, the operator can register the debt with the Traffic Enforcement Centre at Northampton County Court and issue a warrant of execution. At that point, enforcement agents (bailiffs) may be instructed. If you receive a bailiff notification about a toll PCN debt, contact the Traffic Penalty Tribunal and Citizens Advice immediately to understand your options; it is not always too late to challenge the underlying PCN if there are exceptional circumstances.

Related guides

Frequently asked questions

I paid the Dart Charge but still received a PCN. What should I do?

Raise an informal challenge immediately with your payment reference number, the date and time of payment, and a bank or card statement showing the debit. Dart Charge can verify payment records against their system. Processing delays, payment made for the wrong vehicle registration, or a technical failure on the day are the most common explanations. Keep a screenshot or email confirmation of your payment as evidence. Most correctly evidenced payment disputes are resolved at the informal challenge stage.

Are motorcycles exempt from Dart Charge?

Yes. Motorcycles (two-wheeled vehicles) are exempt from the Dartford Crossing toll charge. If a PCN was issued to a motorcycle keeper, this is a valid ground for appeal - provide evidence that the vehicle is registered as a motorcycle (V5C showing the vehicle category). Other exempt vehicles include those used by emergency services responding to incidents and certain electric vehicles in some circumstances; check the current exemption list at the Dart Charge website as exemptions are periodically reviewed.

Can I appeal a Dart Charge PCN if I sold the car before the crossing date?

Yes. If the vehicle was sold before the crossing date but the DVLA record had not yet been updated to reflect the new keeper, provide evidence of the sale: the V5C/2 (new keeper slip), a receipt, bill of sale, or any written confirmation of the sale date. The statutory grounds for appeal include that the PCN was issued to the wrong person as the registered keeper. National Highways is required to pursue the actual user of the crossing; if you can demonstrate you were not the keeper at the date of crossing, the PCN should be cancelled.

What happens if I miss the Dart Charge appeal deadline?

If you miss the informal challenge or formal representations deadline, a Charge Certificate is issued, increasing the penalty by 50%. You can apply to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal out of time if you have a valid reason for missing the deadline and a substantive case on the merits. If no action is taken, the debt can be registered with the Traffic Enforcement Centre and enforcement agents can be instructed. Contact Citizens Advice immediately if you are at the enforcement stage.

Is there a free appeal body for toll PCNs?

Yes. The Traffic Penalty Tribunal handles independent appeals for Dart Charge and Mersey Gateway PCNs free of charge to the motorist. Apply online at trafficpenaltytribunal.gov.uk with your appeal reference. The adjudicator's decision is binding on the operator. The Humber Bridge has its own appeal process; check the bridge's website for the current adjudicator contact details.

How we verified this guide

All toll PCN processes and statutory frameworks were verified against National Highways Dart Charge guidance, Traffic Management Act 2004, Mersey Gateway and Humber Bridge operator documentation, and Citizens Advice toll charge resources during May 2026. We do not accept payment from toll operators.

Disclaimer: This guide is information only, not legal advice. Rules and fees change. Always check the primary sources cited and consult a regulated adviser for decisions about your own circumstances.

Primary sources

Last reviewed: May 2026.