Dartford Crossing Cost

How to Pay the Dart Charge4 Ways to Pay, Deadlines & Step-by-Step Guide

Deadline: pay by midnight the day after crossing. Cross on Monday? Pay by Tuesday 11:59pm.

Payment Timing Rules

Pay in advance
Up to 24 hrs before crossing
Pay on the day
Any time, no barriers
Pay after crossing
Until midnight next day
After midnight
PCN may be issued

4 Ways to Pay

1. Online via gov.uk

Recommended

The official payment portal at gov.uk. Available 24/7, instant confirmation, free to use. The simplest option for one-off payments.

1
Go to gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge
2
Click 'Pay now' (green button)
3
Enter your vehicle registration number
4
Select the crossing date
5
Pay by debit/credit card
6
You'll receive a confirmation email
Pay on gov.uk

2. By Phone

Call the Dart Charge team on 0300 300 0120. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Have your vehicle registration number and crossing date ready before you call.

Have your vehicle registration number ready
Know the date you crossed (or plan to cross)
Have a debit or credit card to pay
The call usually takes 2–3 minutes

3. Payzone Store

Pay in cash or by card at any Payzone retailer, newsagents, convenience stores, garages and supermarkets across the UK. Useful if you don't have internet access or a card.

1
Find your nearest Payzone store using the Payzone store finder
2
Tell the cashier you need to pay the Dart Charge
3
Provide your vehicle registration number
4
Tell them the crossing date
5
Always ask for and keep your receipt as proof of payment
Always keep your Payzone receipt. If a PCN arrives despite payment, your receipt is proof of payment and a valid grounds for appeal.

4. Dart Charge App

Best for regular crossings

The official Dart Charge app lets you pay in seconds and set reminders so you never forget. You can also manage a pre-pay account and view crossing history.

Full app guide and features →

Common Payment Mistakes to Avoid

Paying for the wrong date
When paying online, double-check you've selected the correct crossing date. If you cross at 11:30pm, the payment is for that calendar day, not the next day.
Using a third-party 'Dart Charge' website
Some websites charge admin fees to process Dart Charge payments. The only official portal is gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge. Never pay through unofficial sites.
Motorcycles paying unnecessarily
Motorcycles are completely free at all times. If your vehicle is registered as a motorcycle, you have nothing to pay. Paying anyway doesn't cause problems, but it's unnecessary.
Forgetting to pay after a long drive
It's easy to forget on a busy day. Set a phone reminder as soon as you cross, or better, use a pre-pay account so you never need to remember.
Assuming payment is automatic
Unlike a congestion charge that debits your account, the Dart Charge does not automatically charge you. You must actively pay, unless you have a pre-pay account set up.

Pay Now, Official Link

Pay on gov.uk →

Or call: 0300 300 0120

Never think about this again

A pre-pay account charges automatically, no deadlines to remember, and you save 20% per crossing.

Set up pre-pay account

Already missed the deadline?

Try paying anyway, sometimes accepted 1–2 days late. Or read the fines guide.

Forgot to pay guide →