Dartford Crossing by Vehicle: Prices, Exemptions, Height Limits & Weight Restrictions
The Dart Charge varies by vehicle type, from free for motorcycles to £8.40 for multi-axle HGVs. This page covers every vehicle category, height and weight restrictions for the tunnels, exemption rules (including the commonly misunderstood Blue Badge situation), and answers to specific vehicle questions about caravans, motorhomes, electric cars, and more. All prices updated for 2026 following the September 2025 increase.
Complete Vehicle Pricing Table
| Vehicle Type | Description | Pay-As-You-Go | Pre-Pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car | Up to 3.5 tonnes | £3.50 | £2.80 | — |
| Van | Up to 3.5 tonnes | £3.50 | £2.80 | Same rate as cars |
| Motorhome | Up to 3.5 tonnes | £3.50 | £2.80 | — |
| Motorhome (large) | Over 3.5 tonnes, 2-axle | £4.20 | £3.36 | — |
| 2-axle goods vehicle | Over 3.5 tonnes | £4.20 | £3.36 | — |
| Multi-axle goods vehicle / HGV | 3+ axles, over 3.5 tonnes | £8.40 | £6.72 | — |
| Bus / Coach (2-axle) | 2 axles | £4.20 | £3.36 | — |
| Bus / Coach (multi-axle) | 3+ axles | £8.40 | £6.72 | — |
| Motorcycle / Moped | All motorcycles and mopeds | FREE | FREE | No registration required |
| Disabled Taxation Class | Vehicles exempt from road tax | FREE | FREE | Must register vehicle in advance |
Prices last verified April 2026. Vehicle category is determined by the Maximum Authorised Mass and number of axles as recorded on the V5C. See homepage for the local resident discount rate (£25/year).
What Will I Pay? Vehicle Lookup
Select your vehicle type to see your specific charge, pre-pay rate, and any restrictions that apply.
Exemptions — Who Crosses for Free?
Certain vehicle types are exempt from the Dart Charge and can cross without paying at any time of day. The exempt categories are clearly defined, and in most cases you need to register with Dart Charge in advance to ensure the exemption is applied correctly. Crossing without registration, even if you are technically eligible, may result in a Penalty Charge Notice that you will then need to appeal.
Motorcycles & Mopeds
Always free, no registration needed. All motorcycles regardless of engine size, plus mopeds, motor tricycles, and quad bikes. The exemption is automatic — ANPR cameras identify motorcycles and no charge is generated.
Disabled Taxation Class Vehicles
Vehicles exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) due to the owner's disability are exempt from the Dart Charge. You must register the vehicle in advance at gov.uk/dart-charge. Without registration, you will be charged.
Emergency Vehicles
Police, fire, ambulance, and other emergency service vehicles are exempt when responding to emergencies or carrying out official duties. Military vehicles on official business are also exempt.
Bicycles
Cyclists cannot ride through the tunnels or over the bridge, but a free vehicle transfer service operates from both sides. Contact the tunnel control on arrival and a vehicle will transport you and your bicycle through.
Blue Badge Myth-Buster
Having a Blue Badge does NOT automatically exempt you from the Dart Charge. This is one of the most common misconceptions about the Dartford Crossing, and it has resulted in thousands of drivers receiving unexpected Penalty Charge Notices.
To cross the Dartford Crossing for free, your vehicle must be registered in the Disabled Taxation Class — which means it is completely exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax). Many Blue Badge holders do pay road tax on their vehicles. If you pay road tax, you pay the Dart Charge too, regardless of whether you hold a Blue Badge.
If your vehicle IS in the Disabled Taxation Class (tax-exempt), you still need to register it with Dart Charge in advance at gov.uk/dart-charge. Without registration, the ANPR system will not know your vehicle is exempt, and you will receive a PCN. Register once, and all future crossings will be free.
How to check: Look at your vehicle tax disc or check your vehicle tax status at gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax. If it shows "Disabled" or "Exempt", you qualify for the Dart Charge exemption. If it shows any paid tax class, you do not.
Electric Vehicles — No Discount
Electric cars, plug-in hybrids, and all other low-emission vehicles pay the full Dart Charge at the same rate as petrol and diesel vehicles. There is currently no EV discount, zero-emission exemption, or environmental incentive of any kind at the Dartford Crossing. An electric car pays £3.50 pay-as-you-go or £2.80 with a pre-pay account, exactly the same as any other car under 3.5 tonnes.
This is in contrast to the Silvertown and Blackwall Tunnels in London, which offer discounted rates for electric vehicles, and the London Congestion Charge and ULEZ, which provide exemptions. There have been no announcements from National Highways about introducing similar incentives at the Dartford Crossing. If you drive an electric vehicle, the pre-pay account remains the most effective way to reduce your per-crossing cost.
Height Restrictions
The Dartford Crossing has two tunnels for northbound traffic, each with different height limits. Southbound traffic uses the QE2 Bridge, which has a clearance of approximately 57 metres and poses no height restriction for any road vehicle. Understanding which tunnel your vehicle can use is essential, especially for commercial vehicles, motorhomes, and vans with roof equipment.
| Route | Direction | Height Limit | Opened |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Tunnel | Northbound | 4.80m | 1963 |
| East Tunnel | Northbound | 5.03m | 1980 |
| QE2 Bridge | Southbound | ~57m (no practical limit) | 1991 |
Vehicles between 4.80m and 5.03m tall must use the east tunnel when travelling northbound. Vehicles over 5.03m cannot use either tunnel and will be diverted. When one tunnel is closed for maintenance, the remaining tunnel handles traffic in both directions, which can cause significant delays — check for planned closures before travelling if your vehicle is close to the height limit.
Weight Limit
The maximum gross vehicle weight for the Dartford Crossing is 44,000 kg. This applies to all vehicles using both the tunnels and the bridge. Vehicles exceeding this weight are not permitted to use the crossing under any circumstances. This limit is the standard UK maximum for articulated vehicles and should not affect normal commercial traffic.
Abnormal loads that exceed standard dimensions or weights must make advance arrangements with National Highways and may require a police escort. If you need to transport an abnormal load across the Dartford Crossing, contact National Highways well in advance to discuss the arrangements and any special restrictions that may apply.
Caravans, Trailers, and Towed Vehicles
Vehicles towing caravans, trailers, or other vehicles are charged based on the towing vehicle's classification, not the combined unit. A car towing a caravan pays the standard car rate of £3.50 (or £2.80 pre-pay). A 2-axle goods vehicle towing a trailer pays the 2-axle goods rate of £4.20. The trailer or caravan does not attract an additional charge.
However, you should check the combined height of your vehicle and caravan/trailer against the tunnel height restrictions. A car with a caravan will typically be well within the 4.80m west tunnel limit, but vehicles with roof-mounted equipment, tall trailers, or boat trailers may exceed the limits. If your combined height is between 4.80m and 5.03m, you must use the east tunnel. Above 5.03m, you cannot use either tunnel and will need to use the bridge (southbound only) or be diverted.
Hazardous Goods and Oversized Loads
Vehicles carrying certain categories of hazardous goods face restrictions when using the Dartford Crossing tunnels. Some hazardous materials (particularly Category 1 flammable gases and explosives) are prohibited from using the tunnels entirely and must use the QE2 Bridge. Other categories may be permitted but require advance notification and may be restricted to specific times of day or require an escort.
If you are transporting hazardous goods, contact the Dartford Crossing control room in advance to discuss your specific load classification and any restrictions that apply. Oversized loads (those requiring STGO or Special Order permits) must also make advance arrangements. Failure to comply with hazardous goods restrictions can result in prosecution as well as Dart Charge penalties.