How much is the Dart Charge?
| Vehicle | Pay per crossing or pay as you go | With a pre-pay account |
|---|---|---|
| Car, motorhome or minibus (up to 9 seats) | £3.50 | £2.80 |
| 2-axle vehicle (vans, buses, coaches, goods vehicles) | £4.20 | £3.60 |
| Vehicle with more than 2 axles | £8.40 | £7.20 |
| Motorcycle, moped, quad bike | Free | Free |
You pay for each crossing, in each direction — a return trip is two charges. There’s no charge between 10pm and 6am. Vehicles exempt from vehicle tax because of a disability don’t pay either.
What times is the Dartford Crossing charged?
The Dartford Crossing is charged from 6am to 10pm every day, including Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. Crossing between 10pm and 6am is free in both directions, according to GOV.UK’s Dart Charge page.
| Day | Charged | Free |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 6am–10pm | 10pm–6am |
| Saturday | 6am–10pm | 10pm–6am |
| Sunday | 6am–10pm | 10pm–6am |
| Bank holidays | 6am–10pm | 10pm–6am |
What counts is the time you actually go through the tunnels or over the bridge. There’s no peak or off-peak price, so a car pays £3.50 whether it crosses at 7am or 9pm. GOV.UK lists no exception for Christmas Day, and the payment deadline doesn’t pause for weekends or bank holidays: cross on a Sunday and you must pay by midnight on Monday. See road charges on bank holidays and at Christmas.
How to pay the Dart Charge
- Pay online on the official GOV.UK Dart Charge page, or by phone on 0300 300 0120 (8am–8pm). You can pay up to 12 months in advance, or up to midnight the day after you cross.
- Or open a Dart Charge account: pay as you go pays automatically at the standard price, and pre-pay also cuts it by up to 20%.
- Avoid unofficial websites that add a fee — the GOV.UK page is the only official one.
When do I have to pay by?
By midnight the day after you cross. Crossed on Saturday afternoon? Pay by midnight on Sunday. This is much shorter than the ULEZ (three days) or a Clean Air Zone (six days), which is why so many drivers are caught out.
What if I forget to pay?
A penalty charge notice of £70 is sent to the registered keeper, on top of the crossing charge. It’s cut to £35 if paid within 14 days and rises to £105 if not paid within 28 days. See forgot to pay the Dart Charge? for how to pay or challenge it.
Want a reminder next time? EveryDrive alerts you when you use the Dartford Crossing and reminds you before the deadline. Join the free beta →
Local residents’ discount
Residents of Dartford and Thurrock can join the local residents’ discount scheme: £25 a year for unlimited crossings, or £12.50 a year for 50 crossings.
