For Dart Charge purposes, "van" splits into two classes based on gross vehicle weight. Most Transit-style vans pay the car rate. Anything over 3.5 tonnes is Class C and pays more.
How much is the Dart Charge for a van?
Most vans pay £3.50 per crossing (£2.80 on a pre-pay account), the same as a car. Any van up to 3,500kg gross vehicle weight is Class B and pays the car rate. Only vans over 3.5 tonnes move up to Class C at £4.20 (£3.60 pre-pay). The charge applies 6am to 10pm; crossings between 10pm and 6am are free.
Most light commercial vans. Charged at the same Class B rate as a car.
PAYG
£3.50
Pre-pay
£2.80
Includes:
Two-axle goods vehicles above 3.5t GVW. Costs roughly 20% more.
PAYG
£4.20
Pre-pay
£3.60
Includes:
Class is determined by gross vehicle weight (GVW), also called revenue weight. Two reliable places to find it:
Annual costs assuming 52 weeks a year. Pre-pay is always cheaper, by 20% or more.
| Crossings/week | Class B PAYG | Class B pre-pay | Class C PAYG | Class C pre-pay | Pre-pay saves (Class C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1x | £182 | £146 | £218 | £187 | £31/yr |
| 2x | £364 | £291 | £437 | £374 | £62/yr |
| 3x | £546 | £437 | £655 | £562 | £94/yr |
| 5x | £910 | £728 | £1092 | £936 | £156/yr |
| 10x | £1820 | £1456 | £2184 | £1872 | £312/yr |
A pre-pay account holds up to 20 vehicles, all charged at the discounted rate, all billed via one Direct Debit. The fleet guide covers the admin side, downloadable reports and end-of-year tax exports.
Most vans pay £3.50 per crossing (£2.80 on a pre-pay account), exactly the same as a car. Any van up to 3,500kg gross vehicle weight is Class B and pays the car rate. Only vans over 3.5 tonnes move up to Class C at £4.20 (£3.60 pre-pay). The charge applies 6am to 10pm; crossings between 10pm and 6am are free.
No, not most vans. A standard Transit-sized van under 3.5 tonnes is Class B and pays the same £3.50 (£2.80 pre-pay) as a car. Vans only cost more once they exceed 3.5 tonnes gross weight, at which point they become Class C and pay £4.20 (£3.60 pre-pay).
A standard Ford Transit is under 3.5 tonnes, so it is Class B and pays £3.50 per crossing (£2.80 on a pre-pay account), the same as a car. Only the heaviest long-wheelbase Transit variants rated over 3,500kg would pay the Class C rate of £4.20/£3.60.
A two-axle goods vehicle over 3,500kg gross vehicle weight is Class C and pays £4.20 per crossing, or £3.60 on a pre-pay account. If it has more than two axles it becomes Class D and pays £8.40 (£7.20 pre-pay).
Yes. A pre-pay account cuts a Class B van from £3.50 to £2.80 per crossing (a saving of 70p), and a Class C van from £4.20 to £3.60. One account holds up to 20 vehicles, all charged the discounted rate via a single Direct Debit.