What is the Dart Charge and how do I pay it?

For drivers who use the Dartford Crossing.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

The Dart Charge is the fee for using the Dartford Crossing.

You pay if you cross between 6am and 10pm, every day including weekends and bank holidays.
A car costs £3.50 a crossing, or £2.80 with a pre-pay account.
You must pay by midnight the day after you cross.
If you do not pay, you can get a £70 fine, cut to £35 if paid within 14 days.
Motorbikes, and vehicles with free tax because of a disability, do not pay.

Key facts

Car: £3.50, or £2.80 pre-pay
Charged 6am to 10pm
Pay by midnight the next day
Fine: £70, or £35 within 14 days

What the Dart Charge is

The Dart Charge is a road user charge for the Dartford Crossing, near Dartford and Thurrock. You pay online, by phone or in a shop, either as a one-off or through an account.

When you pay

You pay if you cross between 6am and 10pm. This applies every day, including weekends and bank holidays. Crossing between 10pm and 6am is free.

How much it costs

Vehicle	One-off payment	Pay as you go account	Pre-pay account
Motorbikes, mopeds, quad bikes	Free	Free	Free
Cars, motorhomes, minibuses (9 seats or fewer)	£3.50	£3.50	£2.80
2-axle buses, coaches, vans and goods vehicles	£4.20	£4.20	£3.60
Vehicles with more than 2 axles	£8.40	£8.40	£7.20

A pre-pay account gives a discount of up to 20%.

Example: you drive a car across and back once each weekday during the day. That is 10 crossings a week. Paying one-off costs £35 a week (10 x £3.50). With a pre-pay account it costs £28 (10 x £2.80).

Who does not pay

motorbikes, mopeds and quad bikes
vehicles that get free vehicle tax because of a disability

Discounts for local residents

If you live in Dartford or Thurrock, you can get a resident discount:

Option	Cost a year
Unlimited crossings	£25
50 crossings	£12.50

You can top up the 50 crossing option with 25 more for £6.25, or upgrade to unlimited. You will never pay more than £25 in a year.

How to pay

Pay online on GOV.UK, as a one-off or through an account.
Or pay in cash at a Payzone shop.
Or call the Dart Charge contact centre on 0300 300 0120 (every day, 8am to 8pm). Textphone: 18001 0300 300 0120.

Deadline: pay by midnight the day after you cross.

If you get a fine

If you do not pay in time, you can get a penalty charge notice (PCN). You also still owe the crossing charge.

When you pay the fine	Amount
Within 14 days	£35
Within 28 days	£70
After 28 days	£105

If you think the fine is wrong, you can challenge it online or by sending the slip on the notice by post. You cannot challenge it by phone.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Pay the Dart Charge

Common questions

Is the Dart Charge free at night?

Yes. You only pay if you cross between 6am and 10pm. This applies every day, including weekends and bank holidays.

I forgot to pay the Dart Charge. What can I do?

You have until midnight the day after you cross. After that you may get a £70 fine, which is cut to £35 if you pay within 14 days.

Is there a discount for local residents?

Yes. Dartford and Thurrock residents can pay £25 a year for unlimited crossings, or £12.50 for 50 crossings.

Official sources

1.Pay the Dartford Crossing charge (Dart Charge) (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge
2.Dart Charge: charges (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge/charges
3.Dart Charge: fines and penalty charge notices (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge/fines-penalty-charge-notices

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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