Dartford Crossing Cost

How to pay the Dart Charge

Four official ways. One deadline. This page walks through each route step by step, plus the timing rules and the most common slip-ups.

Deadline

You have until 11:59pm the day after you cross. Cross on Monday, pay by Tuesday night.

You can also pay up to 24 hours before crossing, or any time on the day of the crossing itself.

The four official payment methods

Listed in order of speed for occasional drivers. For frequent users, a pre-pay account beats all of these.

1. Online at gov.uk

2 min
Recommended
  1. 1Go to gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge
  2. 2Select the date(s) you crossed
  3. 3Enter your number plate
  4. 4Pay by debit or credit card

Available 24/7. You get a confirmation reference straight away. This is the official portal: any other site charging a fee is a third party, not gov.uk.

Open gov.uk

2. Dart Charge app

2 taps
Best for frequent users
  1. 1Download from the App Store or Google Play
  2. 2Add your number plate
  3. 3Link a card or set up a pre-pay account
  4. 4Pay each crossing in seconds

The app pushes a reminder if you cross without paying, which is the simplest way to never miss a deadline.

Open the app guide

3. Phone

5 min
0300 300 0120
  1. 1Call 0300 300 0120, 8am to 8pm any day
  2. 2Choose the automated payment option, or speak to an agent
  3. 3Have your number plate, crossing date and card ready

The line is open 8am to 8pm every day. The automated service handles single payments. An agent can sort out account issues.

4. Payzone in-store

varies
No card? Use this
  1. 1Find a Payzone outlet (newsagents, convenience stores, garages)
  2. 2Tell the cashier you're paying a Dart Charge
  3. 3Provide your number plate and crossing date
  4. 4Pay by cash or card and keep the receipt

Useful if you don't want to pay online or by phone. The Payzone store finder is at payzone.co.uk.

The timing rules in plain words

  • You can pay up to 24 hours before you cross.
  • You can pay any time on the day of crossing.
  • You must pay by 11:59pm the day after you cross.
  • After midnight on the second day: late. A PCN will follow. See forgot to pay.

The mistakes that cause most fines

Paying for the wrong date

If you pay for a date you didn't cross, the actual crossing remains unpaid. Always check the date carefully on the gov.uk form.

Using a fake gov.uk lookalike

Several scam sites mimic the official portal. The real URL begins with gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge. Anything with extra words like '-pay-online-now' is not legitimate.

Paying for a motorcycle

Motorcycles are free. You don't need to pay or register. If you do pay, it won't be refunded automatically.

Forgetting after a long day

The most common cause of a £70 PCN. Set a calendar reminder, or just open a pre-pay account once and stop thinking about it.

Tired of remembering?

A pre-pay account deducts the charge automatically every time you cross, drops the price by 70p, and works for up to 20 vehicles on one account. Set up takes 5 minutes and £15 deposit.

Open a pre-pay account

Pay-related questions

Can I pay for several Dartford Crossings in one go?+

Yes. On the gov.uk form you can add multiple crossings (different dates, same vehicle) before checking out. Paying once a week for the previous seven days is a sensible habit.

My vehicle is foreign-registered. Do I still need to pay the Dart Charge?+

Yes. The Dart Charge applies to every vehicle that uses the crossing, regardless of where it is registered. Enforcement of unpaid PCNs does follow vehicles registered in EU countries via cross-border agreements.

What if my number plate is wrong on a Dart Charge payment?+

If you mistyped the registration when paying, contact Dart Charge customer services on 0300 300 0120 within 14 days and keep your payment reference.

Do I get a receipt after paying the Dart Charge?+

Yes. gov.uk emails a confirmation with a payment reference. Keep it for at least 28 days in case a PCN arrives in error.

Last verified:7 May 2026·Source: gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge