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Frequently Asked Questions
The Dartford - Thurrock River Crossing
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why is there still a charge for the Crossing now that the costs of the QEII Bridge and tunnels have been recovered?
Q2. What legislation allows for the charge to be levied at the Crossing?
Q3. Why has the charge for cars increased by 50%?
Q4. If I use the Crossing on a regular basis can I qualify for a reduced charge?
Q5. Why is there not a designated DART- Tag lane?
Q6. Which lanes take DART-Tag?
Q7. What are the current road user and abnormal load charges to use the Crossing?
Q8. Can I pay the Road User Charge with Euros or other foreign currencies?
Q9. Why do your operators not issue receipts?
Q10. How do I obtain free passage as a disabled driver?
Q11. What provision is there for cyclists to use the Crossing?
Q12. What are the arrangements for motorcyclists using the Crossing?
Q13. What happens if I refuse to pay the Charge?
Q14. What future plans are there to ease congestion at the Crossing?
Q15. What is the charge for a van?
A1. The charging regime at the Crossing which came into effect on 1 April 2003 resulted from a study undertaken by consultants Brown and Root for the Department for Transport (DfT) which was published in 2001. This suggested that the use of the Crossing would grow more rapidly if there were no charge and would have an increased adverse impact on the local community and users of the Crossing. The link between rapid growth and charging remains valid today and supports the recent increase in charges. The report the 'Short Term Extension of the Dartford Tolls' can be viewed at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/archive/2007/dftconsuldartford/
A2. The Transport Act 2000 introduced the concept of Road User Charging. Under this Act the specific legislation is The A282 Trunk Road (Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Charging Scheme) Order 2008. Please see the attached links for further information. http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20081951_en_1 and http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2002/uksi_20021040_en.pdf
A3.The DfT introduced the new prices with effect from 15 November 2008. The last price increase for cars was in September 1996. If charges had been increased in line with the Retail Price Index in the interim years then the charge would be similar to the new cash payment.
The improved discounts for all categories of vehicles implemented in November were designed to actively encourage cash paying customers to convert to DART-Tag users. A significantly greater uptake of tags is already evident and this will help to increase the throughput of traffic at the plazas as a tagged vehicle movement through the booths is faster than an average cash handling transaction.
A standard DART-Tag, which is issued free, offers a discount off the current cash charge thus enabling customers driving cars or light goods vehicles to keep the cost of each crossing down to or below the previous charge for cash paying customers.
A4. If you open a DART-Tag account you will benefit from a discounted rate for every journey. There is also a Local Resident Scheme for those meeting the eligibility requirements. Please see the attached link for further information. http://www.dart-tag.co.uk/
A5. Cars with a DART-tag can use all booths at the Crossing. The feasibility of an 'express lane' for DART-tag car users on approach roads to the Crossing is currently being considered. In the interim period however 'tagged car' drivers are encouraged, when ever practicable, to approach the plazas from the outside lanes i.e. 3 and 4 to utilise the automatic lanes.
A6. Cars with a DART-Tag can use all lanes. Twin-axle and multi-axle vehicles with a DART-tag need to use the wider staffed lanes, 1-9 Northbound and 15-23 Southbound.
A7. Details of the current charges can be found in the following document: Charging Schedule (218KB PDF)
A8. Euros notes - NOT coins - are accepted at the booths but any change due is given in UK Sterling. Other currencies accepted are: Swedish Krona, Norwegian Krone, Danish Kroner, US Dollars, Canadian Dollars and Swiss Francs.
A9. The Road User Charge levied does not attract VAT and there is no obligation to provide a receipt. However, if you have a DART-Tag account you can receive regular statements and obtain more detailed information of your journeys online. Additional congestion would be caused by the issue of receipts at the booth along with a possible litter issue.
A10. To qualify your vehicle needs to be exempt from Road Fund Tax as result of clauses 18 or 19 of Schedule 2 of the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act. Details of this Act may be found following link at; www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1994/Ukpga_19940022_en_8.htm. Schedule 4 of The A282 Trunk Road (Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Charging Scheme) Order 2002 lists all vehicles eligible for exemption from payment of the charge. The Order may be viewed at; http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20081951_en_1.
Please see the instructions on the DVLA website on how to obtain an exempt Road Fund Disc. http://www.dvla.gov.uk/
You may register your vehicle into the Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Exempt Vehicle Scheme. For details of how to apply click on the following link. http://www.dart-tag.co.uk/
Alternatively you should approach a staffed booth where the Collector will check your tax disc for eligibility for free passage. Details of your vehicle will be recorded.
A11. Cyclists are prohibited from riding across the bridge or through the tunnels. However the Crossing staff will be pleased to arrange for cyclists to be transported from one side to the other. This service is free of charge.
Northbound cyclists should follow the cycle paths provided to the sign "Cyclists Wait here" at the Kent Control Point. From this point forward free transport will be provided to carry you and your bike through the tunnels.
Southbound cyclists should dismount at the Essex Control Point and wait for free transfer across the QEII Bridge. A free call telephone is provided should this point be unattended. If you are riding a tandem or travelling as a group e.g. a cycle club, it is advisable to make prior arrangements by contacting the Crossing. The transfer should take between 15 - 30 minutes. Click on the link for Contact details.
A12. Motorcyclists receive free passage. However, it is still necessary for all motorcycles to stop at the staffed booths and wait for confirmation from the Collector that it is OK to continue through the barrier.
A13. Non payment of the Road User Charge is a criminal offence under Section 22 of The Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Act 1988. For details of this Act please click on the following link: www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1988/Ukpga_19880020_en_1.htm
A14. In February 2008, the DfT commissioned a study to explore the future need and possible options for additional crossing capacity in this region. The study aimed to better understand the impacts of current and future demand, and review previous work on improving traffic flow through the existing Dartford Crossing. The DfT's initial study into longer-term crossing capacity in the Lower Thames region was published on 20 April. The report is available from the DfT's website at: www.dft.gov.uk/about/strategy/capacityrequirements/dartfordrivercrossing,
The report recommends a further phase of work to assess whether the layout of the current crossing can be improved to provide a smoother flow of traffic, including the possibility of one-way tolling. It also proposes further work on three potential options for additional crossing capacity, firstly at the existing crossing, but also between the Swanscombe Peninsula and the A1089, and from the east of Gravesend to the M20.
The DfT intends to take forward the recommendations of the report and will continue to work closely with the range of interested stakeholders so that they can improve the experience of those using the crossing both now and in the future.
A15. The charge will be £1.50 if your van/SUV has a full size side facing window(s) fitted to the rear of the driver and/or front passenger seats and if the seating capacity - with side facing rear windows - is for not more than nine passengers including the driver.
The charge will be £2.00 if your van/SUV has solid side panels/does not have a full size side facing window(s) fitted to the rear of the driver/front passenger seats and if the seating capacity - with side facing rear windows - is for 10 or more passengers including the driver.
