Dartford Crossing Charge – What You Should Know as a PCO Driver?
If you are a PCO driver who often travels between Kent and Essex, you must have heard of Dartford crossing toll. It’s a must-pay for every vehicle that uses the bridge. If you are not paying attention and miss a payment, you will be fined.
The system doesn’t care whether you are tired because of driving or simply forgot to pay, you will have to pay the toll, or face fines that come with not paying it.
In this article, we will explain how to understand the system, avoid fines, and keep your earnings in your pocket.
What You Will Learn In This Article?
- The dart charge applies to all vehicles using the Dartford crossing.
- The fee is £2.50 every time you use the crossing in a car.
- For account holders, the fee is reduced to £2.00.
- It’s the drivers who pay the charge, not the passengers.
- Dartford crossing charges can be paid via phone, online, or Payzone outlets.
- Creating a Dart Charge account is simple.
- If you forget to pay the charge within 24 hours, you will be hit with a £70 fine.
- Even if you are driving a rented or leased vehicle, you must pay the charge.
What is Dartford Crossing Charge?
The dart charge applies to all vehicles crossing the Dartford-Thurrock River bridge. The crossing consists of the Queen Elizabeth II bridge which carries southbound traffic and two Dartford tunnels which carry northbound traffic. The charge applies between 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM every day, including weekends, bank holidays, and Christmas. Outside of these hours, you can use the crossing without any fees.
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How Much is the Dart Charge?
The fee is £2.50 each time you use the crossing, which becomes £2.00 if you are an account holder. It doesn’t matter if you are heading south or north, using the crossing means you must pay the fee.
The £2.50 fee may not sound much at first. However. If you use the crossing multiple times in a day, the fee may start to feel like a bigger problem.
To make life easier, consider opening an account. That way, you won’t have to worry about paying the fee every time you use the crossing as the system automatically deducts them from your account. Plus, you will save some money as well.
Who Pays the Dart Charge - Driver or Passenger?
It’s PCO drivers who pay the charge. Whether you are driving for Uber, Bolt, or Freenow, the system follows one rule – the driver must pay the dart crossing charge.
One common misconception among drivers is that they can charge the fee from passengers. This is not the case. A driver must discuss it with the rider first, and if the rider agrees, only then the driver can pass that charge onto the passenger.
Now, if you are wondering why the passengers don’t pay the charge; they are only concerned about reaching their destinations. As a driver, it’s up to you whether you take them through Dartford crossing or some other route.
How to Pay the Dart Charge?
There are no booths to pay the fee. The authorities rely on a digital system which requires you to pay online, through phone, or an account.
Setting up a dart charge account is the best option for PCO drivers because it automatically deducts the fee every time you use the crossing. Plus, you get a discount for having an account which is £0.50 per crossing.
£0.50 may not seem a lot but it adds up to a significant amount if you are a frequent user.
If you don’t want to create an account, the easiest way to pay the fee is through Dart Charge Website. It’s active 24/7 which means you can make the payment whenever you have some spare time.
You can also pay the dart charge by phone. Just dial 0300 300 0120 and follow the steps.
If you want to completely avoid tech, then you can pay the fee in cash at a Payzone store. This approach is less common, but it works.
For those who can’t find a Payzone outlet, just visit their website. Here you can find all the Payzone outlets in London.
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How to Create a Dart Charge Account?
Creating a Dart charge account is simple and easy. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create an account:
- Visit the official website which is www.gov.uk/dart-charge
- Choose ‘Set up an account’
- Provide your personal information such as your name, email address, and contact number.
- Enter your vehicle’s registration number
- Choose a payment method
- Add funds to your account
- Review all the details you have entered
- Verify your email
- You have successfully created an account.
What Happens if I Forget to Pay?
If you don’t pay the fine within 24 hours after crossing the bridge, you will be fined £70. You can reduce that fine to £35 by paying it within 14 days. However, if you wait for more than 28 days, the fine will increase to £105.
If you have already received a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), pay it immediately online, via phone, or a Payzone outlet. Remember that as a PCO driver, your time is money. And spending it on paying penalties that could have been easily avoided is the last thing you want.
Conclusion
Driving as a PCO driver in London requires you to be ahead of the game, especially if you frequently use the Dartford crossing. It is a critical part of your job, and managing it effectively can protect your time, money, and peace of mind. Our advice? Always remember to pay the fees. Otherwise, you will be looking at hefty fines that will take a huge bite out of hard-earned money.
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