Dartford Crossing (Dart Charge)
The Dartford Crossing — the QE2 Bridge and the Dartford Tunnel where the M25 crosses the Thames between Kent and Essex — has no toll booths. Cameras read your number plate and you pay online later, which is exactly why so many people get caught out.
The charge (the “Dart Charge”) applies from 6am to 10pm every day. Because there's no barrier stopping you, it's easy to drive through without realising you owe anything at all.
Pay-as-you-go
£3.50 / crossing
£2.80 on Auto Pay
Fine if you forget
£70.00
Pay-by deadline
By midnight the day after you cross. Miss it and a Penalty Charge Notice follows.
£3.50 per crossing pay-as-you-go, or £2.80 on Auto Pay. Charged 06:00–22:00 both directions; free overnight. No peak/off-peak variation.
How to pay it yourself
- 1Go to the official Dart Charge service on GOV.UK.
- 2Enter your number plate and the date you crossed.
- 3Pay the crossing charge (a standard car is £3.50 per crossing).
- 4Keep the confirmation — there's no receipt posted to you.
What happens if you don't pay
A £70 Penalty Charge Notice (reduced to £35 if you pay within 14 days, rising to £105 if you don't). One forgotten £3.50 crossing becomes a £70 fine.
Managing an existing account for this scheme?
- How to close a Dart Charge account (or remove a vehicle)
- Locked out of your Dart Charge account? How to recover it
Never think about the Dartford Crossing again
Register your number plate with Snaptoll once, and we keep every crossing covered automatically, before the deadline — so a forgotten payment doesn't have to become a fine.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to pay the Dartford Crossing?
You must pay by midnight on the day after you cross. There are no booths, so nothing reminds you at the time — the responsibility to remember is entirely yours.
What is the fine for not paying the Dart Charge?
£70, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days and rising to £105 if it goes unpaid. Around 1.8 million of these penalties are issued every year.
Do I have to pay if I only crossed once?
Yes — every crossing between 6am and 10pm is chargeable, whether you're a regular commuter or crossed once on holiday.
How does Snaptoll handle the Dartford Crossing?
You register your number plate with us once. When you cross, your crossing is kept covered automatically before the deadline — so there's nothing for you to track and no deadline to chase.
When will the charge appear after I cross?
You're covered the moment you cross. The charge then reaches your card up to 3 days — the Dartford Crossing operator bills us in arrears, so a short delay before it appears is normal. When we collect, you get a receipt confirming exactly what you were charged.