Forgot to pay the Dart Charge? Here's what to do.
A £3.50 crossing turns into £35, then £70, then £105 if ignored. The cost of acting now is small. The cost of waiting is large.
How late are you?
Pick the row that fits. Each one tells you exactly what to do.
You're still on time. Pay now.
The deadline is 11:59pm the day after you crossed. If that hasn't passed, you can pay at the standard rate and there is no penalty.
Try to pay anyway. It often works.
The system doesn't generate a PCN immediately. Crossings paid 1-3 days late are sometimes accepted at the standard rate. Worth a shot.
Pay it within 14 days for the £35 reduced rate.
The PCN itself includes a payment reference and link. Acting fast saves £35. If you think the PCN is wrong, see the appeal route below.
Wait. Ringing Dart Charge sometimes flags it.
If a PCN hasn't arrived after 4 weeks, calling 0300 300 0120 to confirm the unpaid crossing can sometimes still let you pay the original charge. Document the call.
Remember
The deadline is 11:59pm the day after you crossed.
Cross Tuesday at 2pm? Pay by Wednesday 11:59pm. Cross Saturday morning? Pay by Sunday night. There's no Monday-only window.
Why acting fast matters
A £3.50 crossing escalates aggressively. Here's what each delay costs you for a single car crossing.
£3.50
Pay on time
Day of or day after
£35
14 days from PCN
Reduced rate
£70
28 days from PCN
Full PCN
£105
Charge Certificate
After 28 days unpaid
£105+
Court enforcement
Plus court costs & bailiff fees
Stop this from happening again
Open a pre-pay account
Auto-deducts the charge. You never need to remember. Plus a 70p discount per crossing.
Open oneInstall the Dart Charge app
Push reminder if a crossing is unpaid. Pay in two taps. Saves the gov.uk login dance.
App guidePay 24 hours before
If the trip is planned, pay the day before. The window is open up to 24 hours pre-crossing.
See methodsCommon late-payment questions
Can I still pay the Dart Charge 5 days late?+
The official answer is no. In practice, you can sometimes still pay online for a few days after the deadline before the system flags it. Try and see, or call 0300 300 0120. Worst case, you pay £3.50 instead of £35.
My passenger says they got a Dart Charge PCN but I don't think we crossed.+
ANPR cameras occasionally misread plates. Request the photo evidence Dart Charge holds (cite the PCN reference) and challenge formally if the image doesn't show your vehicle.
Is the £35 reduced PCN rate guaranteed?+
Only if you pay within 14 days of the PCN issue date (printed on the notice). After 14 days, the fine returns to £70. After 28 days, it rises to £105.
My Dart Charge PCN went to my old address.+
The PCN is sent to the address on the V5C. Update your DVLA address immediately and contact Dart Charge to request a re-issue. The first-PCN grace policy may apply.