ByHow to Dispute a Dart Charge PCN
In 2014, the payment booths for the Dartford Crossing were removed, meaning people could no longer pay on the spot. The removal, therefore, put the burden of payment on the driver to either settle their fee before crossing or immediately afterwards.
However, sometimes it's easy to forget to make the payment, especially if you don't use the crossing frequently. This then brings up a , which may affect your finances if not checked. DoNotPay can help you beat the charge and save you money all in under 120 seconds.
Receiving a Dart Charge PCN
A Dart Charge is issued every time you use the Dartford Crossing. Vehicles usually pay £2.50 to use the crossing. You can choose to pay the fee in advance before crossing so that the system detects your payment and doesn't take further action or pay after crossing. The system records your information and waits for payment.
If you fail to honour your payment, you get a seven days later informing you that you owe £70. If you pay the amount within 14 days, you get a 50% discount, meaning you'll only pay £35, similar to speeding tickets.
However, if you fail to honour your payment more than once, you will receive a warning letter requesting you to pay and informing you of the rules. Failure to pay within 28 days results in an increased fine of up to £105.
When you receive your PCN, you can either choose to pay it or contest it further if you believe the PCN was unfair or an error on the system's end.
How to Pay a Dart Charge PCN
You can pay your Dart Charge PCN:
- By phone
- Online
- By textphone
- Through a Payzone terminal
Dart Charge PCN Contact Details and Information
| PCN Payment | Pay penalty charge - Dart Charge | |
| Make a PCN Representation | Make a representation - Dart Charge | |
| Paying Dartford Crossing Charge | Pay the Dartford Crossing charge | |
| Submit a Freedom of Information | How to make a freedom of information (FOI) request: Overview - GOV.UK | |
| Contact Page | Contact Us - Dart Charge | |
| Email Your Request | info@highwaysengland.co.uk | |
| Post | Dart Charge Enforcement
PO BOX 842 Leeds LS1 9QF | |
| Telephone | 0300 300 0120 | |
| Telephone Outside the UK | +44 (0) 300 300 0120 | |
| Textphone | 18001 0300 300 0120 | |
| Hours of Operation | Monday to Sunday
(excluding public holidays) | 8:00 am to 10:00 pm |
How to Challenge a Dart Charge PCN
It's easy to forget about paying a Dart Charge if you don't use the crossing every day. While it's easier to pay upfront before using, sometimes, it might skip your mind, and you might decide to do it later. The only caveat to this is that you have to pay the charge before midnight after crossing to make the payment.
If you pay the Dart Charge by then and still receive a Dart Charge PCN, you have grounds to appeal. You also have ground to appeal the PCN if:
- You were not the registered owner of the car when the infringement occurred
- The vehicle was taken without your consent
- The owner is a car hire firm
- The PCN exceeded the amount that should have been applied in the circumstances
- Dart Charge acted improperly
Once you've established grounds for appeal, you need to make representations against the PCN either online or by post. You can find information on how to make representations on the Notice to Owner or PCN documents. Your representation will get reviewed, and if successful, the amount will be removed, but if unsuccessful, you will receive a Notice of Rejection, and you'll be required to pay the fine in full.
You can appeal the rejection through the Traffic Penalty Tribunal if you feel it is unjust. The tribunal will go over the appeal independently and determine if the decision was fair or not. If the tribunal upholds the previous rejection, you'll still have to pay the fine. If your appeal is successful, the fine will be vacated.
Contest Dart Charge PCN in Under 120 Seconds
At DoNotPay, we understand how frustrating receiving a Dart Charge PCN is. The amount is insanely high, and you may not be in the best financial standing to deal with the bill at the moment.
We also understand how precious your time is to you, and that's why we have a service that is meant to help you fight the PCN and save you time and money in the process. The best part about this feature is that it works in under 2 minutes.
Here's how to get started:
- Log-in to DoNotPay and go to the Ticket Disputes category. Select the Parking Ticket product.
- Upload a photo of your citation.
- Provide us with some details on why you believe the citation issued is a mistake.
- That’s it! You’ll receive an appeal letter that contains the best argument to win your case.
A gentle reminder to our clients in the UK; We don't mail the appeal letter.
DoNotPay Works Across the Board With a Click of a Button
DoNotPay doesn't only help you fight your Dart Charge PCN. We are also dedicated to offering similar parking ticket successes in different cities, including:
What Else Can DoNotPay Do?
As the first service on DoNotPay's lineup, it's safe to say we have mastered the art of helping clients beat parking tickets, including Dart Charge PCNs. However, it isn't our only forte as we have proven over the years we can deliver on several other services, including helping our clients:
- Get car registrations renewed
- File complaints against different companies
- Challenge seatbelt tickets
- Receive compensation from different airlines
- Make insurance claims
Sign up for DoNotPay today and hack your way through life.