Why a Dartford Crossing Journey Becomes a PCN
GOV.UK says the crossing charge must be paid by midnight the day after the crossing. Match the notice to the actual crossing and payment: paying a different vehicle, paying late or having an account without a successful transaction can leave a journey unpaid.
This is a Dart Charge road-user-charging penalty, not a parking ticket issued by Dartford Borough Council or a TfL notice.
Challenge Dart Charge Before Going to the Tribunal
Make representations to Dart Charge against the PCN. If rejected, the Notice of Rejection explains how to appeal to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. The adjudicator is independent of Dart Charge. London Tribunals does not decide these crossing appeals.
Dart Charge Penalty Amounts and Deadlines
GOV.UK lists a £70 penalty, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days, and increasing to £105 if unpaid. The crossing charge is additional. The official sample PCN gives 28 days from service to make representations. Keep the date of service and the notice's payment instructions with your records.
Crossing, Payment and Account Evidence
Keep a successful payment confirmation separate from an attempted payment or a later account top-up. This makes it clear whether you dispute the allegation or are asking Dart Charge to consider a mistake.
- The crossing date, direction and registration identified on the PCN.
- Your receipt or account transaction showing which crossing and vehicle it paid for.
- Account messages, top-up records or failed-payment notifications relevant to that journey.
- Vehicle sale, hire or exemption records if they explain why you were not liable.
Dart Charge Grounds for Appeal
The Traffic Penalty Tribunal lists grounds including timely payment, no charge being payable, incorrect keeper liability, qualifying hire agreements and procedural impropriety. The last can include missing required information or failure to respond correctly. Supply the document or transaction that establishes the point.
The tribunal distinguishes a legal ground from compelling personal circumstances. It can refer compelling reasons back to Dart Charge for reconsideration; those reasons do not themselves give the adjudicator power to cancel.
Preparing Your Dart Charge Representation
Explain why this charge is disputed, identify the supporting records and ask for the PCN to be cancelled. Separate an allegation of incorrect enforcement from a request to consider exceptional circumstances. Include the PCN reference on attachments so the evidence stays with the representation.
£9.99
Challenge Your Dart Charge PCN
Upload the notice and answer a few questions. Your free assessment identifies what can be challenged before you choose the appeal service.
Submit Your Dart Charge Representations
Use the official payment-and-challenge service with your registration and PCN reference. For post, complete the representation slip and send it to Dart Charge Enforcement, PO Box 842, Leeds, LS1 9QF. GOV.UK confirms you cannot challenge the PCN by telephone.
GOV.UK: official Dart Charge challenge service and postal details
Appealing a Dart Charge Rejection to TPT
After rejection, use the appeal details supplied with that decision to register with the Traffic Penalty Tribunal within the stated 28-day period. Present the grounds, payment records and correspondence together. If the tribunal dismisses the appeal, follow its payment instructions.
Dart Charge Recovery and Enforcement
An unresolved penalty can progress beyond the PCN to a Charge Certificate and debt recovery through the Traffic Enforcement Centre. If an Order for Recovery or enforcement notice has arrived, identify that stage before responding. The recovery procedure is not an ordinary private parking court claim.
GOV.UK: Traffic Enforcement Centre forms, including Dart Charge