though they asked for this payment within 7th January (14 days from the notice), so I was only 2 days in late, My friend had a dart account so paid for it there and then for the 8th of Feb crossing. In my case, my first stop after Dartford was at the Port of Dover, where I had no phone signal (on the Three Mobile network). Hi. I crossed a few weeks backI havent had any penalty notice, can i try and find out if its been lost in the post or ?? Do you know where the leglislation says that they can enforce the deadline of midnight the next day? Hopefully matter is now closed. But the biggest problem is that I didnt see that I had to pay for this crossing !!! There are other reasons why you could appeal the Dart charge. The DART signs are NOT clear, why not put up simple signage explaining the toll is NOT free, and payment required. I dont have any problem paying the toll charge itself. I can only hope and pray. The time given for payment is way too short and the fines are out of all proportion. Luton Penalty Charge Notice. There are no signs anywhere to say how much the charge is, and anyone who has never used the crossing before could easily miss the payment signs, which are vague in the extreme. I feel annoyed that if it hadnt been for my cousin telling me the barriers have been removed & you now have to pay on line I would never of known anything about it, we are traveling from Nottingham to visit my relatives in Kent, we are due to travel on 1/11/15 so we will see how well things are sign posted, I have also just received a penalty notice for a crossing made on the 22.06.2015 which I paid 5.00 for on the 26.06.2015 , rang up yesterday the advisor couldnt understand it as a note had been made on the account that two crossing were made but they have only confirmation payment of one 2.50 . You can appeal a Dart Charge Penalty Charge Notice within 28 days of it being issued. I cant think how many 1st timers are caught out by this scam, leaving the dartcharge company thousands of pounds in credit when drivers do not intend to use the crossing again like myself. In answer to the few brain dead zombies as to why we dont pay our crossing fees in advance, I have encountered all of these problems :- no barriers, no man at the tollbooths and I cant remember any sign over there We tried to pay morning of 28th Feb for both crossings online but must have done it wrong as no payment taken. I wonder if there is a glitch, I have returned the pcn with copy of payment receipt so just waiting for reply. (We spent a week on holiday in France with no internet so we couldnt have paid even if we were aware of the charge.) Enter postcode of the tunnel or your destination where you can pay. Penalty for failing to do so is up to 1,000. TO DISCUSS YOUR CASE I just tried to pay and got the same, I tried about 10 times and it finally worked ! about my passing through there on 25 Sept 2015. I used the Dartford crossing on 09/08/15 at 1858 totally unaware there was a charge for doing so. The thing is that I have tried to find reference to the14 day grace period and can find nothing except what you have quoted a Highways Agency spokesman as saying. I big bold letters the covering letter stated that as a first timer the penalty and all other penalty issued within the last 28 days would be cancelled if we paid for all crossings within the next couple of weeks (a specific date was given). Im not (its my wifes) so could not agree. I received a receipt (attached). Pay online: Pay for an individual crossing online by heading here before midnight the following day.Pay here. we saw the big C and a time underneath but there was not signage saying anything about payment. Furthermore to avoid this happening again we have now tried to pay in advance for a further trip (due 17th /18th January). I think this system is a real scam because it penalize honnest and innocent people. First of all the future crossing may never occur, and secondly they may only do so where there is an Advance Payment Agreement in place (see Regulation 6 of the A282 Trunk Road (Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Charging Scheme) Order 2013). By removing the direct pay isnt it a way of making more money by charging driver peneltey charges because they know people will forget specially if you are a visitor . we are a small hire company in Lancashire. I have used the dart pay system many times before, and paid successfully. Where Dart Charge accepted payment, and the result was an unpaid crossing for which it was intended, they are not entitled to hold that on account of a future crossing. Really worrying that they tried to charge you this amount. I know they have the correct address for me as I have just received my road tax reminder through the post. And by us consenting, contracting and complying we are then complicit by paying money by way of taxes for them to use, thus becoming an accessory to the crime. How to successfully appeal a parking ticket with free template letter I travelled home to Liverpool for the first time via Dartford Crossing on Monday (20.07.2015). Yes the chances are you will be as long as it was the first time youve forgotten to pay while driving that particular vehicle. When I tried to ring on 030003001200 to pay, no one answers. MoneyNerd Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative ofSeopa Limited who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Reference Number 313860) and is classed as an insurance broker. We was on 3 week holiday and have seen info about fees on our way back. Traffic backed up at least 2 miles on way back as bridge was closed due to high winds, so was worried I would not get to airport in time. As a non-UK resident my last journey over the Dartford Crossing was about 15 years ago when a toll system was in operation. So where does the money go from collecting these extortionate fines? But I am still waiting for the balance to appear. The charge can be paid online, by phone, or at a retail location. Have I any chance of appealing against this unreasonable charge? 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. Hi Bess did you get penalty after that.I forgot to pay as well for the dart crossing.Will be good if i dont receive penalty. Details of the success of any such actions would be interesting to know. Is there a process to sue the Dartford Crossing for the cost of having to challenge their mistakes in sending wrongful PCNs? You sign up and it automatically pays the toll then sends you an invoice. You'll also have to pay the original fee. I crossed at 5.59 and 50 seconds am the other day.how do I find out if I have to pay, sure I was before 6, but worried they will charge me! I did this right away on-line and was emailed a receipt. hi! Is there a time limit within which the Dart Charge penalty notice has to be issued? If you have lost your PCN number, you won't be able to pay online as you'll need the number to find your fine and pay. If they reject your protest then you can use the adjudicator, but not before going through this antiquated process. It seems I paid it wrong as I paid it as a one off payment and not a PCN. I called customer service and they have no record of my crossing on Monday!! Theoretically, yes, although the penalty charge notice would have to be for the penalty amount of 70, and could not include the crossing fee. My other half and I used the tunnel last year October time as we moved address and was on our way to IKEA. If there was a way of auto generating a reminder that would be a great help. 2) Went to the local shop which had a Dart pay zone machine as per the website Not working . Whats a PCN worth now? My son phoned after he got a letter after using the crossing in March only got the PCN 3 weeks ago so he phoned and paid he now has a letter demanding 105 for non-payment, he phoned again and was told they can do nothing about it and he will have to appeal. I find the whole thing outrageous and cannot wait to speak to Dartford tunnel to let me know that if they want to take this further we will as they should have recordings of the phone call stating the auto pay. Figures show 300,000 drivers failed to do this in one month alone. Full name (Witness) Address Postcode The above named witness, declares that: Tick all boxes that apply to you. Find your local Trading Standards office here. I doubt there is much you can do legally, but maybe a letter explaining the situation and pointing out the lack of customer service from the employee might help. We're all paying the penalty for the new Dart Charge system Hi Folks, The UK is a lovely place but the governments are supporting the extortionists every which way you look. I shrugged it off and assumed there must be some mistake because I KNOW I had the toll covered. MoneyNerd does not give specific debt advice and we recommend that you always discuss your personal situation with a qualified adviser that works for a company that is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Please find enclosed evidence to this effect, in the form of [give details and why it backs up your case]. I was thus unable to search online. Letter to challenge a council parking ticket - Which? I paid a couple of days later for a one way, as I forgot coming back off holiday, unpacking etc.. but before the first Warning Letter and Fine arrived both in the same envelope!. I have just paid online the 5, and I have never been caught out on not paying before do you think I will still receive a fine? Since it was in a hire car, I have no idea if anyone using this car has missed previous payments and thus whether any 14-day extension will be granted. BeatHow to Appeal Against a Penalty Charge Notice PCN Fine in UK - THE UK RULES Here is the body of a letter I have just sent, I appeal on the grounds of me having already paid the toll on 06/03/2015 when I returned home which was 10 hours after I had driven through the tunnel, see receipt attached ( FJ number 15942354 ref 150306202820006579EOE.) 1. again an easy way of getting money out of the driving public. Hope it helps I have today 14/11/2015 received a charge certificate for 105. When my other half spoke to the Dartford tunnel team they assured him that next time it would automatically be taken out of his bank account. There are six different types of Penalty Charge Notice, so make sure you know which one you've got before you go ahead. We are in a similar situation. I set up an account on the 14th April on line, and paid my 10 fee, and since then no money has appeared in my balance page and no confirmation email has been received. If so what was the ruling? I have not received a PCN and so I have no PCN number. Its the best option in your situation. Sams also sent a threatening note that demanded 140,000 in cash, to be delivered by a female police officer, or Julie would "never be seen again". now as long as we have the 0300 phone number but unless we are going to Kent or Surrey we would now use the anti- clockwise direction of the M25 to save the hassle especially for Gatwick or Heathrow. When I told your call taker that I was unhappy about the internet capacity and that the site was rubbish and I was now having to pay a fortune on calls, I was abruptly interrupted and told, no its not. Maybe we in the north of England are destined to find out the hard way that this charge exists. Paid Dart charge late and first notice of a fine is 105! You probably know this number by heart, but just in case, here are the contact details youll need: Would be great if you can explain and help me understanding thank you. Have you payed the fine or are you waiting too see what they say? We went through the crossing on holiday last week. Its worth calling up customer services giving them your number plate and seeing what charges are outstanding. If I had of course Id have paid. I too have just received a penalty notice for a journey I had paid for, as I returned a few days later can I expect a second penalty notice? 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. 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. Dart Charge Penalty Charge Notice - What You Need To Know 2023 - MoneyNerd If you're complaining by post: Customer Services Manager, Dart Charge Customer Services, PO Box 842, Leeds, LS1 9QF Hope the trip was good otherwise. Additionally, the signage is extremely poor and seems almost designed to generate fines. Lets see if they are human. We seem to be O.K. The new system puts the onus on drivers to logon, or call a payment line, to settle their bill by midnight the following day or face a fine of up to 105.00 for each crossing. Removal of toll-booths means that payment is now by means of credit, and most consumer credit is for 30 days. It was over two weeks ago I made a fleeting visit and the signs are appalling. I think lawyers should step in and file a case against them. So many people like you just didnt know about the new system and why should you. Hi Not sure if my last reply worked, but go here for info and a link to the appeal page. The phone number provided is out of service. To be honest were just as in the dark down here in the south. 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? I got the penalty but the problem is that is already second letter with 105 fine. In the past a similar approach to doing business has resulted in heavy fines for some companies. i.e Vehicle HAS to be a Tax exempt true adapted car for disabled use. a further requirement from EPCPLC of Eur 151.73 to pay within 27th February I think this scheme needs a rethink. Appeal against a penalty charge notice - GOV.UK I think they have 56 days to make a decision. I then went to independent tribunal where I won. making a representation. However he said, its tough, you have no choice but to go through the tunnel and back over the bridge to get home and you will be charged!. REASONS TO APPEAL A PARKING TICKET Local authorities and private parking operators rarely do anything right or by the book. If it is 2.50, then let it be 2.50, how can an overnight or next day midnight turn to several hundreds of pounds, what happened to the road overnight. 1. Reduced to 35.00 if paid in 14 days. thought everything were fine but I did received penalty charge note on 19/05/2015 told me have to pay 35 and issue date 15/05/2015, this almost 3 months late, is it legal do I need to pay the charge. MoneyNerd Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Pacific Financial Solutions Ltd who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Reference Number 688034) and is classed as a debt counselling firm. So, forgot to pay my Dartford Dart Charge. If the PCN is not paid, additional fines may be imposed and enforcement action may be taken, such as court summons or vehicle clamping. Yes its not made to be easy. Hi Thanks for your post. But its separate from any Dartford Crossing-related matter. There doesnt seem to be any way of checking that the toll has been paid. Clamped. click on Start Now button Feeling like hot potatoe here. Mainly because motorists forget to pay the toll fee on time. no govt money the crossing generates a massive 75m plus per annum. Any way I promptly payd on 9 Jan 2016 the charge of Eur 3.61 Over the phone: Those without internet access will be pleased that you can pay for the charge by phone. Use the top drop-down option to select Transport and ticketing then Dart Charge in the next options list. I used the Dartford tolls on Saturday, however when I went online to pay the website wasnt working or wouldnt accept my card (I tried 3 different cards). With your consent MoneyNerd may pass you on to a trusted debt counselling company or insolvency practitioner. However, the website is not clear if it has taken payment with relation to last nights crossing. I am really frustrated by the fact that I want to pay the crossing charges but am unable to do so either by phone or online as it is after the midnight deadline for both. Came back from Cornwall this saturday, had a nightmare 10 hour journey. Always remember anyone can post on the MSE forums, so it can be very different from our opinion. You should contact the hire firm and get the number plate. What are my rights? I have never used this road before (live in Devon) and as there are no toll booths and I hadnt a clue what it entailed. I will then find out why the option is missing. You will be able to modify it. I think you have answered your own question there. However, its not just the misreading of number plates that causes the problem. Husband will not be impressed with me getting a fine!! 9.00am i tried on line twice with 2 different cards, then i called direct line to be told the system is down and they cannot take any payments, this is just stupid, i am worrying myself sick that i will be charged more, i need your help asap. 4 days after Christmas I remembered and paid the charge trough the net but I wonder if Ill get a penalty or not. And now they want a further 200 more, I had two big guys turn up at my door at 6am wanting to remove goods. I was extremely shocked about this, is there anything I can do to avoid paying or being charged as I did not want to use the bridge or tunnel and the time on the cameras can prove I went straight over and back without stopping? Go to dart on https://www.gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge MoneyNerd a trading name of MoneyNerd Limited, registered in England (12915403). Will I be fined or should I get away with it seeing as I paid it 2 days later This is my first journey too? I Phoned, and adviser said he would refer it to a supervisor, but I could still travel. I put it down to road works being carried out at that time. I managed to speak to someone on the phone this morning and surprise! The power to issue a penalty charge notice is a discretionary one the regulations state that the authority may issue a penalty charge notice (my emphasis). the hire vehicle company also charging me 35.0 for each incident. The Dartford Crossing charge: what, how and why you pay it - RAC According to the chap on the phone the process of escalation is halted when you make a representation so the most Ill have to pay is 250 for both crossings even if its rejected but its a hell of a lot of money for a young family! 2/2 If you need to pay for a crossing or a penalty charge notice you can do so by calling 0300 300 0120 and selecting the automated payment option, . Clearly looking through the comments and elsewhere on the internet, there are problems with the system. Ive seen something about a 14 day exemption for the first time being late to pay the charge, is that true? Paid on my return (Monday), The payment was accepted by Dart Charge. Why is not possible to provide an information panel and a direct payment point? Delivery is usually deemed to be 2 working days after the date on the notice. Shit system just like everything else dreamt up by money grabbers in government. This is not due to more motorists attempting to avoid payment, but an abject failure of the system to ensure occasional users and foreign visitors know how to pay. The Dartford Crossing charge is a fee for using the Dartford-Thurrock River Crossing, which includes the QEII Bridge and the tunnels, in Kent, England. Thanks for your post pcn and well done on taking your case forward successfully. . Then input your postcode to find the nearest payment centre.Find your nearest Payzone retailer here. Dart Charge Penalty Charge Notice - Can You Appeal It? ALPHA I can confirm that I have no intention of making such a crossing within 12 months and, if I do, I will pay for it when it happens. If there is another way to pay, I am being fined for not knowing that, which is due to the fact that you do not provide means at the crossing for drivers to safely make a note of such means, if they exist. i then used it on the 8th of Feb 2015. Been using Dart Tag for years, no problems. Win, win for them. It is not setup and an honest way, more like a cowboy clampers style. Why does this unjust enrichment of the dart ford tunnel system toll charge make normal good people, criminals? Not only did I save 50 on fees, I also won and didnt have to pay my 271 fine. Plus, it provides information on the time and date of the crossing. 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? The Automatic Number Plate Recognition system that triggers a charge against your car has been found wanting when it comes to reading certain letters such as C and G causing incorrect fines to be issued. The charge varies depending on the type of vehicle and time of day. Keep a copy of any payment advice you receive. They also damaged the vehicle. I think it was a mistake removing the barrier as they know people will forget and they will make more money. Also, check the terms and conditions from the van hire company, the 30 charge seems excessive. I will contact those responsible and clarify this one. Failure to make payment within 14 days of service of the notice may result in the debt being registered at the Traffic Enforcement Centre. Save - Print Your document is ready! The crossing fee will be added to the Penalty Charge Notice. Its a money-making scheme. I feel like some sort of criminal now. I would love to see how much interest that generates and how they get around the book-keeping for such an outrageous practice. I keep returning to sender yet they still come.? My wife made a return trip with our boys 8 days ago and when I asked her if she had subsequently paid she said Oh ****, no, I forgot! BY CHEQUE OR POSTAL ORDER: write the PCN number on the back of a cheque or postal order payable to 'Dart Charge' and send to Dart Charge, PO Box 842, Leeds, LS1 9QF. Drivers can be fined up to 105 if they don't pay. If you are not aware that there is a contact being offered then how can you have agreed to the contract to cross for payment? How do i deal with this situation? Chiedo di rivalutare la mia sanzione e di poter abbassare la quota perch se ci sono 300.000 autisti che non pagano ci sar pure un motivo. (7) I just forgot. On Dart tag website it will tell you to prepay at 100s stores often the open all hours type. also people should be able to pay by post after crossing. first offender for goodness sake the criminals are those extorting money out of people, such as government no less. Please wait for your receipt number to ensure your payment has been processed successfully. In short, I would relax and enjoy the fruits of your shopping trip. I have a slightly different issue, I went through the tunnel on the 19th February but knowing I had to pay I set up an account when I arrived in Essex. I was totally flabbergasted to see my charge. But on 20 July they posted me penalty charge notice, with no mention of a 14-day period! Who voted for the idiots who make these decisions? Both journeys have been paid but has just left a small debut of -0.37 I have topped up the account. No probs Dennis. I have just received a late payment bill for 38.50 which it seems the hire company has paid from my credit card on my behalf. Hello Can you scan (photograph) the PCN and send it to me on pete@aph.com? 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. 425 to release it because of unpaid Dart charge. I crossed the bridge on 10th August in rented car. the crossing took just as long as before with the toll booths, You say that Get an extra 14 days to pay however, first-time offenders will be given a 14-day grace period when the charge notice is sent out. Dont know if that helps, and you may not want the stress involved. Thanks. 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.. This could leave them open to fines because it has been reported that the smartphone-based payment system cannot handle foreign credit cards. Pretty disapointed that i had opened an account and monies were taken without my permission. In this situation, you'll need to contact your PCN issuer and ask if they can tell you your PCN number. It is a fact that, given the effort I made to try and pay the toll, the PCN is being issued because I did not have internet access, not because I was unwilling to make the effort to pay. Do you think now I have paid that I should not expect a fine? MoneyNerd is not associated with MoneyHelper, we just think theyre great. I have no issue in paying the normal crossing fee. This system has been set up very badly; it seems set on making money from fines. We therefore also extend this offer of cancelling the penalty charges for these crossings, provided that all outstanding charges What a screw-up! LS1 9QF. We have one in our family the car is obtained from special suppliers and when we went through it automatically picked this fact up on the Registration. The red C is not enough put up some signs, feels like a honeytrap to catch people. Only to get ANOTHER PCN issued on 25th November, for her other crossing on the 3rd July almost 5 months later. Why would the do that?!?! I have not received a PCN and the only reason I am expecting to receive one is because of your offices response sent Fri 07/08/2015 10:41, to my message submitted online the same day. The hire car company should have payed the 2.50 and charge you 38 (a steep 36 service charge). to inform me clearly I need to pay in advance or after, and please, NOTE as here in Italy I can not understand how or why I should be liable for this mistake when I paid the amount requested online. Have appealed but not holding out much hope. Let me put it in writing: Your website is rubbish and totally not mobile friendly, and your call centre staff are defensive and rude. Eventually gave up and called the Contact Centre. Hi, I crossed the bridge at around 5pm on Monday 5th Oct. They told me that there was actually another fine outstanding for another journey that they hadnt issued yet but if I paid them the original fees over the phone, the matter would be cleared up. However I used the crossing on 11 July, paid on 14 July (the first 2 times I tried to pay, the website didnt want to accept my number plate). That one sentence could have saved me the suffering and stress and shock. There was no information displayed as to how to pay on the road, How am I supposed to know as a visitor that I am supposed to pay a toll! I received two PCNs for a journey (one going out and one coming back). Surely as a statutory body they have a duty to act fairly and it seems grossly unfair to have such a tight deadline. This led me to the conclusion, that I needed to pay a charge for using the crossing. Your site is very helpful, so many thanks. However I used the toll a few days ago on a return journey and yet again, same scenario, kids, stress, traffic and I completely forgot. Hi You will need to give them a call. Nobody seriously tries to get away without paying the small toll fee and would pay it were they reminded that theyd forgotten on a certain occasion (maybe even a little extra for the inconvenience). Not only will these sites leave you out of pocket for the toll, but theyll also leave you facing a fine of up to 105.00 for non-payment. But somehow after months of no problems the auto top up has been deactivated and weve received the fine(s). Just received a penalty notice for a crossing I made on 08.06.15 even though I had paid 5 for this crossing & one on 05.06.15 This was paid prior to the journey on 25.05.15. They are practically inviting fraudsters to target people who may not be the most technically savvy to get scammed., Dont pay at any website other than https://www.gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge.