Dartford Crossing: Dart Charge 2026
Live charge status, full price table, payment options and how to avoid the £70 penalty. Updated from official GOV.UK data.
The Dartford Crossing carries the M25 across the River Thames on the eastern edge of London, connecting Kent (south) and Essex (north). It consists of two bored tunnels for northbound traffic and the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge for southbound traffic.
There are no toll booths — the crossing uses ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras to capture vehicle registrations, which are then matched to payments. You must pay either before or after crossing — not at the crossing itself.
Charges apply every day including weekends and bank holidays, between 06:00 and 22:00. Between 22:00 and 06:00 there is no charge. Unlike the ULEZ or Congestion Charge, there is no Christmas free period — charges apply on Christmas Day if you cross between 06:00–22:00.
Prices vary by vehicle type and payment method. Having a prepay account saves money versus paying one-off each time.
| Vehicle | Class | One-off / Pay-as-you-go | Prepay account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycles, mopeds & quad bikes | A | FREE | FREE |
| Cars (incl. trailers), motorhomes, minibuses ≤9 seats | B | £3.50 | £2.80 |
| Buses, coaches, vans & goods vehicles — 2 axles | C | £4.20 | £3.60 |
| Buses, coaches, vans & goods vehicles — 3+ axles | D | £8.40 | £7.20 |
| Disabled tax class vehicles | — | FREE (auto-detected) | FREE |
You can pay up to 30 days in advance or up to midnight on the day after crossing. Paying late beyond this results in a Penalty Charge Notice.
| Account Type | How it works | Car price |
|---|---|---|
| No account (one-off) | Pay each crossing individually online or by phone | £3.50 |
| Pay-as-you-go account | Account set up but charged per crossing at the standard rate | £3.50 |
| Prepay account | Top up credit in advance; discounted rate applied per crossing | £2.80 |
| Local resident discount | Annual fee (Dartford/Thurrock residents only) for unlimited or capped crossings | From £25/yr |
If your vehicle is registered for free UK vehicle tax due to disability, you do not pay the Dart Charge. This is detected automatically from your number plate — you do not need to register or do anything.
Residents within the Dartford or Thurrock council boundaries can apply for a resident discount. You must set up an account and provide proof of address. Options:
To apply you need: a copy of your V5C log book and any 2 of: a recent bank/credit card statement, a recent utility bill, your council tax bill, a Universal Credit/tenancy document, or your photo card driving licence. Documents must be re-provided every 2 years.
| Scenario | Amount |
|---|---|
| Crossing charge — cars (one-off) | £3.50 |
| Crossing charge — cars (prepay account) | £2.80 |
| Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) issued | £70.00 |
| PCN paid within 14 days (50% reduction) | £35.00 |
If you receive a PCN and believe it was issued in error (e.g. you have payment evidence), you can challenge it via the GOV.UK Dart Charge portal or by post to: Dart Charge, PO Box 309, Leeds, LS11 1HJ.
JamCams.co.uk is not affiliated with National Highways or the Dart Charge service. Always verify current charges at gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge before travelling. Charge data sourced from official GOV.UK guidance.