Dartford resident Dart Charge discount
Dartford Borough residents in DA1 and DA2 postcodes can buy an annual Dart Charge pass that beats both pay-as-you-go and pre-pay for any crosser who uses the tunnels or bridge more than nine times a year. £25 unlimited or £12.50 for 50 crossings.
Unlimited tier
£25/yr
Pays for itself after 9 car crossings at the pre-pay rate. Daily commuters break even on day 5 of the year.
50-crossing tier
£12.50/yr
25p a crossing, capped at 50 a year. Only sensible if you cross 9-50 times annually. Beyond 50, the unlimited tier wins.
Eligibility: which DA postcodes count
The Dartford resident discount is geographically tight. The scheme is funded by Dartford Borough Council in partnership with National Highways, so only addresses inside Dartford Borough qualify, even though several DA postcodes extend outside.
Eligible postcodes
- DA1: Dartford, Crayford, Wilmington
- DA2: Dartford rural, Bean, Stone, Bluewater
- DA3: Longfield, New Ash Green
- DA4: Eynsford, Farningham, Sutton-at-Hone
Eligibility confirmed against Dartford Borough Council records at application.
Not eligible (despite DA prefix)
- DA5-DA7: Bexley borough (not Dartford)
- DA8: Erith (Bexley)
- DA9: Greenhithe (split, parts in Dartford Borough; verify with Council)
- DA10-DA17: Swanscombe, Northfleet, Gravesend, Bexleyheath, Welling, Belvedere (split between Bexley, Gravesham and Dartford)
Some DA9 to DA13 addresses do fall inside Dartford Borough. Check with the Council if unsure.
What you need to apply
- Proof of address. A Council Tax bill, utility bill (gas, electricity, water), or driving licence dated or issued within the last 3 months. The address must match what Dartford Borough Council has on record.
- V5C log book. The vehicle's registration document, showing the registered keeper's address. The keeper's address on the V5C must match the proof of residence. If you've recently moved, update the V5C at gov.uk/contact-the-dvla first.
- Photo ID. Driving licence, passport, or government-issued photo ID. The name on the ID must match the name on the V5C.
- Payment for the pass. £25 for the unlimited tier or £12.50 for the 50-crossing tier. Debit or credit card during the application flow.
Annual renewal
The pass runs for 12 months from the date of issue. Dart Charge sends a renewal email 28 days before expiry, and you can renew online with the same documents. If your address or vehicle has changed in the previous year, you'll need to upload fresh proof. Re-applications after a move take the same 5-10 working days as a new application.
If you let the pass lapse, your crossings revert to PAYG £3.50 or pre-pay £2.80 depending on which mode your Dart Charge account is in. Reapplications are not back-dated, so the gap between lapse and renewal costs the standard rate.
When the resident pass beats the alternatives
| Crossings / year | PAYG @ £3.50 | Pre-pay @ £2.80 | Resident pass £25 | Cheapest option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | £17.50 | £14.00 | £25.00 | Pre-pay |
| 10 | £35.00 | £28.00 | £25.00 | Resident pass |
| 25 | £87.50 | £70.00 | £25.00 | Resident pass |
| 100 | £350 | £280 | £25.00 | Resident pass |
| 500 (daily) | £1,750 | £1,400 | £25.00 | Resident pass |
The break-even point is 9 crossings on PAYG (£31.50), or 9 crossings on pre-pay (£25.20). Anyone crossing more than monthly is better off with the unlimited tier.
Related guides
Thurrock resident pass
RM postcodes, same £25/yr.
Both schemes side-by-side
Dartford and Thurrock combined hub.
Pre-pay account
£2.80 / crossing if not a resident.
Daily commuter cost
£1,725 savings if you qualify.
Weekly commuter cost
2-4 days a week, when each option wins.
Full 2026 price list
All classes, all methods.
Dartford resident questions
Who qualifies for the Dartford resident discount?+
Adults living in DA1 or DA2 postcodes within Dartford Borough Council's area, who own or lease a vehicle registered to that address. Proof of residence (Council Tax bill, utility bill or driving licence) and the vehicle's V5C log book showing the address are both required at the time of application.
Is the DA postcode definition strictly Dartford Borough?+
Yes. Some DA postcodes (DA8 Erith, DA14 Sidcup, DA17 Belvedere) fall outside Dartford Borough Council into Bexley or Greenwich. Those addresses are not eligible. Dart Charge cross-checks the application address against Dartford Borough Council's records.
How much is the Dartford resident pass in 2026?+
£25 for unlimited crossings (any vehicle class up to Class B) or £12.50 for up to 50 crossings a year. These are the post-September 2025 rates; pre-Sept 2025 the tiers were £20 and £10 respectively.
Can I have the resident pass on my Dart Charge pre-pay account?+
Yes. The resident pass attaches to one vehicle on a normal Dart Charge account. If your usage exceeds the 50-crossing tier in any year, the system reverts to charging the standard pre-pay rate for additional crossings rather than charging PAYG.
What proof do I need for the Dartford application?+
Three things: (1) Council Tax bill, utility bill, or other proof of address dated within the last 3 months; (2) the vehicle V5C log book showing your DA1 or DA2 address as the keeper's address; (3) a photographic ID matching the V5C name. Upload PDFs or photos via the Dart Charge website.
How long does approval take?+
Usually 5-10 working days. The application is checked against Dartford Borough Council records, which the application can be slowed by where there's a recent move or a discrepancy between the Council Tax record and the V5C. You can pay PAYG or pre-pay rates while the resident pass is pending.
Oliver Wakefield-Smith
Founder, Digital Signet
Independent reference for Dart Charge prices and routing, sourced from gov.uk and updated against announced National Highways tariff changes.
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