Since the barriers came down in 2014, the Dartford Crossing has been cashless — there’s nowhere to pay at the crossing itself, so you have to pay the Dart Charge online, by phone or in a shop, by midnight the day after you cross. Miss that and a £70 Penalty Charge Notice lands. This guide walks through every way to pay, the deadline, and the simplest way to make sure you never get a fine again.
Key takeaways
- Deadline: pay by midnight the day after you cross (the crossing is free 10pm–6am).
- Cost: £2.50 for a car; more for larger vehicles — check GOV.UK for the current rate.
- Pay: online at GOV.UK, by phone, at a PayPoint shop, or via a pre-paid account.
- Best fix: set up a Dart Charge account with autopay so it’s taken automatically.
- Forget once? First-time offenders usually get a grace period to pay just the toll.
01 / DEADLINEWhen you have to pay
The Dart Charge applies for crossings between 6am and 10pm — it’s free between 10pm and 6am, every day including bank holidays. If you cross during charging hours, you must pay by midnight the day after: cross on Monday, pay by midnight Tuesday. There’s no way to pay at the crossing, and once the deadline passes you can’t simply pay the toll late — a PCN is generated instead.
02 / ONLINEPay online (the quickest way)
Go to GOV.UK and search “Dart Charge” (gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge). Enter your vehicle registration and pay by card — you can pay in advance or after crossing, up to the deadline. Save the confirmation. This is the official route; be wary of copycat sites that add a fee for the same free service.
03 / OTHERBy phone, at a shop, or by post
Prefer not to use the website? You can pay by phone on the automated line (0300 300 0120), in cash or card at any PayPoint retail outlet (take your registration), or by cheque to the Dart Charge PO Box in Leeds. Phone and PayPoint are handy if you’re on the road; the deadline is the same.
04 / AUTOPAYThe setting that ends fines forever
Set up a Dart Charge account with autopay. You add a payment card once, and every crossing is charged automatically — you never have to remember, and you never get a PCN for forgetting. It’s free to set up and by far the best option for anyone who crosses more than occasionally. (A standard account doesn’t discount the toll — that’s the separate residents’ scheme — but it removes the fine risk entirely.)
05 / FORGOTWhat if you forget?
If you realise the same day, just pay before the deadline. If a PCN arrives, and it’s the first one ever for that vehicle, Dart Charge usually offers a 14-day grace period to pay just the toll and cancel the fine — but only once. After that, a forgotten payment sticks at £70 (£35 if paid within 14 days). If you think a PCN is wrong, you can appeal — see our guide to Dart Charge PCNs and your rights.
06 / SKIPOr let the driver handle it
Heading to a Kent or London airport? A fixed-fare transfer includes the crossing charge, and the driver handles the Dart Charge payment — no deadline to remember, no PCN. As a Dartford-based, TfL-licensed operator, Rushxo crosses daily and folds it into the quoted fare.
FAQFrequently asked questions
How do I pay the Dartford Crossing charge?
Pay online at GOV.UK (search “Dart Charge”), by phone on the automated line, at a PayPoint shop, or by cheque — by midnight the day after you cross. Or set up a Dart Charge account with autopay so it’s taken automatically.
What’s the deadline to pay the Dart Charge?
Midnight the day after you cross. The crossing is free between 10pm and 6am, so only crossings between 6am and 10pm need paying. Miss the deadline and you can’t pay the toll late — a £70 PCN is issued instead.
How much is the Dartford Crossing for a car?
£2.50 for a car during charging hours, with larger vehicles paying more. Rates are reviewed periodically, so check GOV.UK for the current figure before you travel.
How do I never get a Dart Charge fine?
Set up a Dart Charge account with autopay — your card is charged automatically for every crossing, so you can’t forget. It’s the single best way to avoid PCNs.
Can I pay the Dart Charge at the crossing?
No — there are no booths or machines at the crossing. Payment is online, by phone, at a PayPoint, or by post, by midnight the day after you cross.
I forgot to pay — what now?
If it’s the first PCN ever for that vehicle, you’re usually offered a 14-day grace period to pay just the toll and cancel the fine, once. Otherwise pay within 14 days for the reduced £35, or appeal if it’s genuinely wrong.
Time Matters
Skip the Dart Charge admin — get a fixed fare
Fixed fares confirmed before you ride. Local licensed drivers, live traffic routing, 24/7 human support — and no surge, ever.