Your customer service representative told me that the PCN system is automated and that I should therefore have received it already. Do you know where the leglislation says that they can enforce the deadline of midnight the next day? just had the same happen to me i am fuming. people who clearly forgot to pay) and those who dont. It says I can appeal this decision to an independent tribunal but I fear the worst and it was lapse into another larger fine. That sounds horrific can you send the full story? I live in Scotland and very rarely drive to London. My advice? If you are one of the people who paid twice, contact Highways England to let them know. I forgot to pay and just was late an hour before I actually made a payment, Really what a scam and stupid way as there are no reminders or anything and they expect you to pay the very same day. Im too poor to take a political stand, I just what your opinion of if you think I should pay the extra 5? Unofficial siteswill simply take your money, pocket the admin charge and pay the outstanding toll on the public Dart Charge site regardless of vehicle details. If this is not done, the firm will send another email with a 5.00 admin charge attached still much lower than the 70 fine the Government would levy after just one day even if you dont get the email until you get back from your holiday. (Last journey 2011) Ease of travel should be a right. chapter name 1night's black agents solo ops by gareth ryder-hanrahan 2night's black agents: solo opscredits publ. Hi Well I doubt youll get the 14-day grace period again, but paying asap might be enough to confuse what sounds like a creaking and groaning penalty system! When I reached my destination my hosts were unaware of a crossing charge. Now I am back home, I have made the payment using my home internet access, but have missed the less than 48hrs deadline. These figures dont appear to have been released since. Sorry to hear that. I understand there is the possibility of a 14 day grace period if this is the first offence, however. Can they leave it so long to issue the fine? I pointed out that there is no request for even the date of the crossing to be included when you pay and therefore it is possible to pay. The government, establishment, call it what you will is constantly taking money out of the public purse by way of taxes, fines, etc and into the private coffers. No prices, no method of payment, no official guidance. However, this is best for those who use the crossing on a regular basis, because users have to pay 10.00 to join. The charge varies depending on the type of vehicle and time of day. Editor, Marcus Herbert. In the last year, I have paid over 600 for the cost of a 5.00 return journey in my car which I thought I had initially paid via mobile. The C logo is one of the tricks designed to catch out foreign and non regular users. Its not a big problem but nobody knows how to solve itbrilliantI want to pay the fine but when I dont receive my PCN, how could I? I had by accident misspelled the vehicle registration number (just realized when looking at the details of the payment receipt) and got a penalty notice in the post. In total, 37,751 penalty charge notices (PCNs) were challenged and 30,521 of those were accepted by Highways England. You can complain to the authority because of poor signage, for example. I was thus unable to log in and determine whether you had taken payment for the crossing on 28 July. Thank you. No correspondence has ever been received prior to this notice of enforcement (honestly not sure if I paid or not, though think I did). On 4th July 2015, because my failed arrangements to take me to Standstead Airport I drove my car (approx 2-30pm) I am still on holiday in Spain, I travel back late on Saturday 18th 2015 July. I didnt spot the paragraph saying I had to pay for crossings Id already made, and assumed setting up the account within 24 hours would work. You can manually top up the account or set it to add funds automatically. If the former it seems a very good idea, seems one would win all round. Have now received another penalty notice, this time for 105. My Online payment was charged twice. Hope it helps.https://www.aph.com/community/holidays/dartford-crossing-new-charging-system-explained/#appeal. Apparently it is, but you need to wait for the charge notice to be sent. I was rather surprised traveling in a hired car from a funeral in Ipswich to Gatwick that there was no toll on the tunnel. I could put in any number plate and pay, even if the vehicle has not crossed. Im told, nicely , that if its my 1st offence ,often they only ask for the 2.50. I was issued the charge and a 35 fine but it gave me 14 days grace to pay the charge where I wouldnt have to pay the fine. I had been charge as a commercial vehicle, the cameras not detecting that my van has a side window which changes the charging rate. The message tells me access via the website. Thanks very much. For example, motorists were fined because the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system failed to work. What do I do now? I didnt send them any appeal as I was sure to pay the right charge This is never made clear. If you dont pay by midnight the day after the crossing you will face a penalty. Anyone had the same situation and recommend next course of action? When paying on-line you have to confirm the terms and conditions. Dartford Crossing charge By Waseem Started October 31, 2022 6 PCN from local authority By simonhill Started August 4, 2022 1 Unsigned Local Authoruty Parking Ticket By rattlywelshboy Started May 19, 2022 3 Council Parking Charge (PCN) - signs only at the entrance, no other signs on the actual street By TamerAM Started April 13, 2022 Our picks Eventually gave up and called the Contact Centre. The system is unreasonable to all motorists who does not have an account that automatically takes the money out of their account. Luton Penalty Charge Notice. To elaborate: just before Christmas I received a PCN for an alleged crossing made around 4pm on 8th December - for a vehicle I'd bought just 5 days earler on 3rd December. You will need to do this by midnight the following day. I watch English TV and I have seen programmes where these debts are put into the hands of bailiffs who have Automatic Number Plate Recognition Cameras, they are everywhere and if your car passes one it will be flagged up immediately, then you get followed and stopped and if you do not pay the fine, which will get massive in time, they will confiscate your vehicle. Thanks. The petrol is more expensive.. Help help help..just received a letter from Dartford this morning with a pcn of 70 or 35 within 14 days but the incident happened in july my friend was driving and his english is not very good and didnt realise he had to pay passing charge. Ive realised today is 11 days since I forgotten to pay the crossing. I driven through Dartford crossing on Saturday & driven back again on Sunday but felts so ill when I got back home so I went to bed as soon as I got in. And the only offer theyve given us is to pay 35 if we pay within 14 days. I just tried to pay and got the same, I tried about 10 times and it finally worked ! Is this a tax on the english again. Payment can be made online, by phone, post or at retail outlets. By chance, I have today found the relevant information on the web. 1) Set up a pre-pay account: 2) Pay online: 3) Pay in advance for a one-off crossing: 4) Over the phone: 5) Payzone retail outlet: 6) Pay by post: Help improve the Crossing experience: image credit Please take a few seconds to take this poll and tell us how you'd improve the new charging system.. I have just written to them and I was wondering if you have received some sort of reply from them? ~1500. these people are thieves..basically charged for forgetting to pay a couple of pounds,do they really think people are trying to get away with paying a couple of pounds so they instead be hit with a crazy expensive fineas I said thieves. I shrugged it off and assumed there must be some mistake because I KNOW I had the toll covered. Hello to you all from a desperate Italian vacationer. The Highways Agency has changed the way drivers pay to use the Dartford Crossing (Dart Charge) and drivers no longer pay at the barriers, instead they pay in advance or by midnight the day after the crossing. I paid the 5 anyway and when the PCN arrives will try to appeal it citing that I paid, albeit just after the deadline. Yes, you can appeal a PCN by following the instructions on the PCN or on the Dart Charge website. (7) I just forgot. I am going to call again Monday but I would urge everyone damaged by the system to use some kind of passive resistance. The amount due will be 70, but discounted to 35 provided payment is made within a strict period of 14 days from service of the PCN. However on my Birthday, I came back via the toll as I had no choice and made a mental note to pay it when I got home (how can you pay it when youre driving) but I have kids and a terrible memory, it takes me hours to get home and it is always stressful and it just slipped my mind. At least a week notice is a fair deal. Do you need more time to complete what you were doing? How does not received a dart charge penalty. Its my responsibility. However, I suddenly remembered to pay tonight at 11.59 quickly found the website which I have never had to use before, started putting in my info. I can only hope and pray. I have received Penalty charge notice and I paid them over the phone and received emails for confirmation. What can I do ? According to the gov.uk website, disabled drivers/ vehicles are still exempt. Its very good of you Pete to put up this blog site, so that people can at least share their experience. Figures show 300,000 drivers failed to do this in one month alone. I do not have a smart phone and internet access at my destination was difficult. Despite my willingness to pay, all my attempts failed and a simple slip of memory has cost me dear. We are pushing to get better signage on the motorway, too. I wonder how foreign non-english reading drivers cope? Hello Yes, there is a 14-day grace period when you get the penalty notice when you can simply pay the single crossing fee. The system is not logical and has many gaps. I only knew about the payment of the crossing on the way back when I realised there were no toll booths and their were signs explaining I had to pay online before midnight. Hopefully that is the end of that. no barriers, no man at the tollbooths and I cant remember any sign over there I think you have answered your own question there. Today I found out there was a charge, found the website and called them. I paid online in advance of a return crossing (2 journeys) cost 5 via the gov website. In many circumstances, parking tickets are not enforceable. www.paydartcharge.co.uk appears at the top of the Google search Appearing at the top of Google's search ranking means less online savvy Dartford Crossing users could be paying too much. Clearly an admiration error and through no fault of mine I am now left to feel like a criminal until I go through this snail mail procedure which is not good enough. Do I expect to receive a hefty penalty or do I still have the chance to pay the normal tariff. Hi Gary, Yes, you should be okay as it is as you say the first offence of forgetting to pay. On Dart tag website it will tell you to prepay at 100s stores often the open all hours type. Hi Chloe My friend had a dart account so paid for it there and then for the 8th of Feb crossing. When and if I decide to join Dartsave, will they charge me 1.67 per journey or 2.50 ? As a result, a Confirm Payment system is in place. MoneyNerd Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Key Retirement Solutions Limited who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Reference Number 224987) and is classed as a mortgage and home finance adviser. why cant they give us information when required. I did both the one off charge of 2.50 and the dart account of 10. making a representation. This is really unfair. How much joy do you think I got from the call centre? I am worried that the 2.50 I paid on Weds has not been credited to the correct crossing and I will still get a PCN now. Your site is very helpful, so many thanks. Click here to pay online, set up a payment plan or manage your account using our Customer Portal. Hi, I crossed the bridge at around 5pm on Monday 5th Oct. Signing up will also extend the time you have to pay from midnight the following day to seven days after using the crossing. Best regards, Hi Trevor, I would certainly pay try to pay for all the crossings making sure you keep proof of payment. Visiting Britain from abroad once a year, and never having done any payments through Payzone yet, I simply wonder how does this work do I just pop into any payzone store, tell them or type in my license plate, and pay the 2,50 cash, or do I still need any kind of account anyway? Heres a copy of the letter I sent today (I hope it helps if only because it makes you feel youre not alone! If you are unable to pay the PCN, you can contact the Dart Charge customer service team to discuss payment options. I would like to be contacted by email On the 24th June 2019 I received a Penalty Charge Notice from Dart Charge, including the bold, all caps text 'DO NOT IGNORE'. An informal challenge. The cashless payment system does fail, and motorists are paying the London Congestion Charge by mistake. This is the second time Ive gone through it, but I paid on my first journey many months ago . saw the sign for this ON OUR WAY SOUTH 2 DAYS LATER, thus realised you had to pay something but not how much or method. do not use the form above read the guidance on how to make a FOI request email your request to info@nationalhighways.co.uk Dart Charge Contact Centre Phone: 0300 300 0120 From outside the UK:. I very reluctantly paid the 600 fines which meant we literally didnt eat for a few days and since then I go out of my way to drive around the toll via the Blackwall tunnel. (1). Payment and dissemination of information does appear to favour those with internet access, but there are easy ways for non-connected drivers to pay up and beat the fines. How can I deal with it, any suggestion? In a lease van. Used the Dartford Tunnel Sunday 24.08.15 I have three factual comments. I have never driven through the Dartford crossing as I do not even know where it is!! You could get a Dart Charge penalty charge notice for several reasons. In the past a similar approach to doing business has resulted in heavy fines for some companies. The hire car company should have payed the 2.50 and charge you 38 (a steep 36 service charge). Fining after only 48 hours is grossly unfair, especially for those going abroad or from overseas. I paid the Dart Charge 5 days after the midnight dateline, but one week before receiving the PCN. You probably know this number by heart, but just in case, here are the contact details youll need: In this situation, you'll need to contact your PCN issuer and ask if they can tell you your PCN number. I havent received any kind of notice through the post yet regarding the fine and it has been 12 days if I get a letter, does anyone know if I will still have to pay the fine, or will I then have 14 days to pay the toll as its a first offence? For it to be successful, you need appropriate grounds for appealing. when I passed there, coming from the North, I remember we found the tollbooths open, This is a new service your
We used the tunnel for the first time since the new system came in. You could be charged up to 60% more than you should. I telephoned the Dartford Tunnel to be told I had not paid enough for a return journey and that I still had to pay for the return trip. Trawled for ages thru the website but could find no info about the Tags. I believe this dartford toll system is just a huge government sanctioned extortion scam. not paying the Dartford Crossing, London congestion or low emissions zone charge on time There are different ways to appeal in Scotland and Northern Ireland. I picked up a rental car at Leeds who did not tell me about anything ,when a warning notice came through with a penalty charge notice from dart charge, the rental company sent me on two administration letters that I was charged for at 35 each. So I look forward to receiving my 2.50 back from the 22/05/2015 payment plus compensation for all the inconvenience you have put me through, plus I wont go to the press with this display of total incompetence by your dept, staff and the equipment used. Challenge a penalty charge notice 7. ), so its important that you read the terms of any products that youre considering before you apply. I have tried to pay now but the DVLA site thinks my Ford is a Nissan. Why I need to pay for some one else? and do your self a favour credit your account with a tenner! can any one help me how to wave this charges. What is a Dart penalty charge notice (PCN)? Be sure to keep a record of the payment bank statement, or ref number, just to be on the safe side. Free debt counselling, debt adjusting and providing of credit information services are available from MoneyHelper, an independent service set up to help people manage their money. mark, Hi Mark, We are just giving information about the new charging system and are not part of the crossing itself.Please call the crossing info line 0300 300 0120. Any advice on what to do would be appreciated, thank you. He called me to ask me to pay, I put his registration in and it was confirmed the make, model and colour of his vehicle. I asked what would happen to this money and he said that it would remain on account for 12 months and would be used to pay for any subsequent crossing I make. No probs Dennis. How to pay penalty without any letter to do? I fully agree that the Dart Charge is not clearly marked, they should have signs to say it operates at 'any time' and there should be signs to indicate the cost. Click it. I have cross the bridge couple of times before but paid them in time so this is my first time that I forgot to pay. Just came back from a weekend in Hythe. This is my first offence and i paid eventually. Pretty disapointed that i had opened an account and monies were taken without my permission. crossed last Friday. Why they just wouldnt accept my attempt to pay a few days later is beyond me if they are willing to spend time and money asking for the same fee 5 months later. I did forget to pay on time but went in and paid when I remembered. Telephone 0330 460 5297 (local rate) to pay using our automated payment line or Contact Centre. Its three weeks ago now and Im still dealing with it, and I dont expect it to go away any time soon. I dont hate much in life, but the Dartford toll system is something I really hate. Hope it helps Enter postcode of the tunnel or your destination where you can pay. i.e. So where does the money go from collecting these extortionate fines? The Dart Charge website is the simplest way to pay. The arbitrary (and disproportionate) 35 fine is only there to generate money. there was chaos when we went through the tunnel northbound as a vehicle was causing a hazard in one tunnel. Check your bank account when you think a payment has been taken twice when you used the Dart charge. No just use the Payzone finder and make your payment. You should be given a 14-day reprieve on the first crossing at least. The supposed officer was not an officer at all, but the servant of a foreign ambassador; it was he who had dealt the first blow; he had not drawn his sword, but the other had snatched it from his side, and had run him through the body before any one could interfere; whereupon a stranger from among the crowd knocked the murderer down with his . Dartford will then send me PCN. please help me, this is just not good enough if i am charged anymore i will be taking this further, im not sure if i owe 2.50 or 5.00, this is unexceptionable.. Hi Caroline Just to make it clear we dont run the crossing, this page is designed to help drivers get the information they need to avoid fines. Why you do not put some staff or machine to collect money for people like me (even if it is more expensive than paying by internet or phone). There were a number of road work signs and some divertions but no blue signs. But I am still waiting for the balance to appear. As somebody else has commented, the whole system seems designed to trick you into having to pay an extortionate charge. what happened to the 2.50? (6) where are the payzone retail outlets in my area. This system seems crazy. Please, do someone of you know what can exactly happen to me I had my money ready to pay as Ive done before but no barriers. I paid the 5 but entered the number plate incorrectly (KN06 when it should have been KM06) so they are trying to fine me. So the following week we again went to IKEA, I told my other half that we needed to remember to pay the 2.50 but he reminded me that it was automatically taken so we no longer needed to worry.