Dart Charge 2026: Dartford Crossing Cost, Payment Times and How to Pay

If you use the Dartford Crossing, paying the Dart Charge correctly and on time helps avoid unnecessary penalties
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Whether you make a one-off trip or use the crossing regularly, understanding the latest charges, payment deadlines and account options can help you avoid fines and keep travel costs under control.
This guide explains how much Dart Charge costs, how to pay Dart Charge, when payment is required, how to check if you need to pay, and what happens if you miss the deadline.

Drivers covering regular motorway miles often look closely at running costs beyond fuel alone. If you are comparing overall monthly driving costs, it is worth reviewing practical car leasing cost comparisons before choosing your next vehicle.

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Pay Dart Charge: What You Need Before Making a Payment

Before making a Dartford Crossing payment, have the following information ready:

• Vehicle registration number

• Date of travel

• Payment card or preferred payment method

You can pay Dart Charge online, by phone or through a Dart Charge account.

For most journeys, payment must be made by 11:59pm on the day after crossing.

What Is the Dart Charge?

The Dart Charge is the road user charge for vehicles using the Dartford Crossing between Kent and Essex on the M25.

The crossing includes:

• The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge

• Two northbound tunnels

There are no toll booths at the crossing.

Instead, automatic number plate recognition records vehicles as they pass through and payment is made separately afterwards.

How Much Is Dart Charge in 2026?

Current Dartford Crossing charges are:

Vehicle Type	One-Off Payment	Pre-Paid Account
Motorcycles, mopeds and quad bikes	Free	Free
Cars (up to 9 seats)	£3.50	£2.80
2-axle goods vehicles	£4.20	£3.60
Multi-axle goods vehicles	£8.40	£7.20

For most drivers, the Dart Charge for a car is £3.50 per crossing.

Drivers with a Dart Charge account pay a reduced rate of £2.80.

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How Much Is the Dartford Crossing for Cars?

Many drivers simply want to know how much the Dartford Crossing costs.

For standard cars:

£3.50 per crossing

There is no daily cap.

If you use the crossing twice during chargeable hours, both journeys must be paid for separately.

Dartford Crossing Charge Times

Dartford Crossing charge times apply daily between:

6:00am and 10:00pm

The crossing itself remains open 24 hours a day.

If you travel during chargeable hours, payment is normally required.

When Is Dartford Crossing Free?

The Dartford Crossing is free every day between:

10:00pm and 6:00am

If you travel during these hours, no Dart Charge payment is required.

Many drivers search for Dartford Crossing free times before travelling, particularly when planning overnight journeys.

When Do You Need to Pay Dart Charge?

If you use the Dartford Crossing during chargeable hours, payment must normally be made by 11:59pm on the day after your journey.

For example:

• Cross on Monday → Pay by Tuesday 11:59pm

• Cross on Friday → Pay by Saturday 11:59pm

Missing the payment deadline can result in a Penalty Charge Notice being issued to the registered keeper.

Do You Pay Both Ways on the Dartford Crossing?

Yes.

Each chargeable crossing is treated as a separate journey.

For example:

• Southbound crossing during chargeable hours = payment required

• Northbound crossing during chargeable hours = payment required

Drivers often ask whether they pay Dart Charge both ways, and the answer is yes if both journeys take place during chargeable times.

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How to Pay Dart Charge

There are several ways to pay Dart Charge.

Pay Dart Charge Online

The quickest option is the official GOV.UK Dart Charge payment service.

This allows drivers to:

• Pay Dart Charge online

• Make a Dartford Crossing payment

• Pay for recent crossings

• Manage vehicle payments

Pay Dart Charge By Phone

You can also pay Dart Charge by phone.

Telephone:

0300 300 0120

This option may be useful if you cannot access online payment services.

Pay At a Payzone Outlet

Payment can also be made through participating Payzone outlets.

Availability may vary by location.

Open a Dart Charge Account

Regular users may benefit from opening a Dart Charge account.

Benefits include:

• Reduced crossing charges

• Automatic payments

• Payment history access

• Account management tools

• Easier tracking of crossings

How to Check If You Need to Pay Dart Charge

If you are unsure whether payment is required or want to check if a crossing has already been paid, there are several options available.

You can:

• Log in to your Dart Charge account

• Review recent payment activity

• Check crossing records linked to your vehicle

• Contact Dart Charge customer services

This can help if you are trying to check a recent crossing or confirm whether a payment remains outstanding.

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Dart Charge Account Login and Account Management

A Dart Charge account can make managing regular crossings much easier.

Account holders can:

• View previous crossings

• Check payment history

• Manage registered vehicles

• Set up automatic payments

• Monitor account balances

A Dart Charge account allows you to view previous crossings, check payment history, manage registered vehicles and set up automatic payments from one place.

Dart Charge Fines and Late Payment

Failing to pay Dart Charge by the deadline can result in a Penalty Charge Notice.

Timeframe	Charge
Standard penalty	£70 plus crossing fee
Paid within 14 days	£35 plus crossing fee
After 28 days	£105 plus crossing fee

Paying promptly helps avoid additional charges.

Vehicles Exempt From Dart Charge

The following vehicles do not normally need to pay Dart Charge:

• Motorcycles

• Mopeds

• Quad bikes

• Emergency service vehicles

• Certain military vehicles

• Eligible disabled tax class vehicles

Always check official eligibility requirements before travelling.

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How to Avoid Dart Charge Fines

The simplest ways to avoid penalties include:

Set Up Automatic Payment

Automatic payments reduce the risk of missing deadlines.

Check Your Vehicle Registration

Incorrect registration details can cause payment issues.

Pay Soon After Crossing

Making payment shortly after travelling reduces the chance of forgetting.

Is a Dart Charge Account Worth It?

For regular users, a Dart Charge account is often worthwhile.

Benefits include:

• Lower crossing charges

• Easier payment management

• Access to crossing history

• Automatic payment options

Drivers regularly travelling between Kent, Essex and London may find an account more convenient than making individual payments for each crossing.

Using Dartford Crossing Costs When Comparing Vehicles

Road charges can form part of your overall motoring budget alongside fuel, insurance, maintenance and vehicle tax.

If you regularly use the Dartford Crossing, factoring these costs into your monthly budget can help when comparing different vehicle options and estimating total running costs.

Dart Charge Summary

The Dart Charge applies to most vehicles using the Dartford Crossing during chargeable hours.

Key points to remember:

• Cars pay £3.50 per crossing

• Dart Charge accounts reduce the cost to £2.80

• Chargeable hours are 6:00am to 10:00pm

• The crossing is free between 10:00pm and 6:00am

• Payment is usually due by 11:59pm the following day

• Missing the deadline can result in a penalty charge

Checking payment requirements and paying on time can help avoid unnecessary fines and keep journeys running smoothly.