There is no logic only the fact that they will fool some people into paying the fine like my wife almost did before I checked the letter. Would you be willing to share more details about it? Instead we are now facing a 215 fine when we should have be exempted under the first offence rule. This is just extortion. SO if I were you pay the 2.50 and appeal saying you didn't fully understand the process. 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? You will need to do this by midnight the following day. Well why cant we have 14days to pay . We was on 3 week holiday and have seen info about fees on our way back. just had the same happen to me i am fuming. we can found a tollbooth open, with no barriers and no charge, only in case of some strike or dismission, I didnt spot the paragraph saying I had to pay for crossings Id already made, and assumed setting up the account within 24 hours would work. So, if youre booking a holiday and will need to use the Dartford Crossing as you head to our Gatwick park and ride car park, for example, set the reminder to go off as you arrive at our facility. Your site is very helpful, so many thanks. How much joy do you think I got from the call centre? Its not the extra 3 that they asked for, its the principle of the fact that it was their computer system that told me what to pay. Like this, you get to confirm whether a payment was made or not. Ive already paid and I own that I will keep your receipt because I do not trust. 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. Best regards, Hi Trevor, I would certainly pay try to pay for all the crossings making sure you keep proof of payment. It seems I paid it wrong as I paid it as a one off payment and not a PCN. FML! Furthermore it still does not counter the basic fact that he paid only slightly late, and before Dart Charge even realised that there had been an unpaid crossing, and therefore there is no reasonable justification for the PCN being issued. Thats why the first penalty charge notice issued for any vehicle will offer the driver an extra 14 days to pay the charge. You could get a Dart Charge penalty charge notice for several reasons. I used the Dartford tunnel on 14 October and have just realised I didnt pay! Like previous posters, we too were caught out by the change, having the same experience of approaching the barriers coins in hand and then passing through without being stopped for payment. A Dart Charge Penalty Charge Notice will be issued and sent to the registered keepers address held by DVLA on the date of the crossing. Find out what you can do to beat the Dartford fines right here. I made representations about the penalty charge to the Charging Authority concerned, within 28 days Is there a reference for your case which we could cite when making our case? I have just done a quick crossing to France had my pennies ready to pay at the bridge, but no way to pay. they hadnt sent the penalty letter for the return journey or the other journey i made in July. 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. I think this is an absolute disgrace! I totally forgot to pay the charge until I heard an advert on the radio the following Tuesday 28 July. But on 20 July they posted me penalty charge notice, with no mention of a 14-day period! So i registered for an account at the website and deposited some money via creditcard(no other payment methods, how convenient), so far so good. I shrugged it off and assumed there must be some mistake because I KNOW I had the toll covered. My bank statement shows that I did pay. I will contact those responsible and clarify this one. Surely common sense would be to apply the payment to the only crossing we have ever made.ie the one they are fining us for not paying. My family went over dartford crossing in August on holiday no signs saying when or how to pay didnt even know you had to wasnt till we visited fiends a few days later that we found out went online and paid for both journeys payment was accepted now 4 months later been sent a PCN for 14:50,really annoyed after theyd taken my payment.Mine is a lease car so fine sent to lease company they paid the fine,then took it from my wages, now Ive got to try and claim it back. Over here from New Zealand this is an utter joke How the hell are we meant to know about this .Have 210 pound of fines to pay Any toll I have ever paid is done at the time. Can someone tell me if I can appeal? Christmas night Ive crossed dartford and forgot to pay the charge. Your system is so flawed that it requires first time users to experience a completely unreasonable amount of time, effort and stress to let us remind ourselves pay a bridge toll. 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. I used the crossing on 2nd and 14th dec and paid the 2.50 each time as requested. I wrongly assumed, because I saw no signs, that because of delays and works, that people were just being let through. Okay so Im receiving penalties for a man who doesnt live at my house! Check your bank account when you think a payment has been taken twice when you used the Dart charge. If you use the Dartford Crossing without seeing or understanding the signs, or you see them just fine and then afterwards forget you need to pay, you'll receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) about a week later informing you that you now owe 70, discounted to 35 if you pay within fourteen days - just the same as speeding tickets and other fines. Re: Dart Charge - Penalty Charge Notice Numbers IA1xxxxxx, IA1xxxxxxx, IA2xxxxx and IA2xxxxxx Following receipt of the above Penalty Charge Notices (herein referred to as PCNs) for two contraventions dated 31st of July and the 7th of August, likewise for the contraventions dated the 6th of novermber and 9th of november. I have tried to pay toll charges from Saturday 18.07.2015 to be told this morning Monday 20.07.2015 The signs indicating the crossing are not clear at all, only showing a C sign but providing very little other information. Hi Gary, Yes, you should be okay as it is as you say the first offence of forgetting to pay. As we have very often in our country the toll booths are open when the traffic is to dense, which we believed was here the case too. 7. I informed them that their computer system had told me what to pay (5.00 return) and that I had paid it. Payment and dissemination of information does appear to favour those with internet access, but there are easy ways for non-connected drivers to pay up and beat the fines. Apparently this system does not work very well anyway. I also paid the standard charge but now I dont know if the First Offence grace period includes a round trip made on the same day or just 1 crossing. Keep proof of your payment even if it was late just in case they miss it and send out a penalty charge (which should still give the 14-day option in any case). (5) The handout sent through the post says you can pay by phone but doesnt give a phone number so if your computer is down or you dont use one you are stuffed. Yes use Payzone shops. Could someone please have a look to see if there are any "holes" in it. I also attempted to use the Pay a penalty charge notice facility on your website but it would not accept any information from me without a PCN number. I have therefore been unable to use the website to (a) confirm whether I have received a PCN (b) make any payment in connection with it. UK has often been known for its lack of customer service for the government to promote it through such a scheme is unbelievable. Continued non payment results in a Charge Notice increasing fine by 50%, further costs are added when debt is registered with County Court. 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. Id rather believe that it is the result of a form of beaurocratic thinking which is removed from the lives and the needs of the people. I did forget to pay on time but went in and paid when I remembered. Dont use any unofficial websites when making a Dartford crossing payment. The last time I crossed, I noticed the big C on the road, which I had seen in London. How do i deal with this situation? This is not fair! How should I proceed ? How can I deal with it, any suggestion? Receive 2 PCNs 3 days after paying. Mainly because motorists forget to pay the toll fee on time. Youre not alone if you paid the London Congestion Charge by mistake. Why is not possible to provide an information panel and a direct payment point? BTW as for cutting crossing times, why did it take me 25 minutes on a Sunday afternoon? If it was your first offence, you will be given 14 days to pay the original toll and avoid the fine. Just watch out as many people have found the system cant match payments to cars. I sent them a copy of the reciept and heard nothing more. I didnt receive any notification as I have been staying in a bed and breakfast since leaving my last abode but thats irrelevant anyway asGuess what? I just got a fine for 105 for an offence 2 months a go. Charge Certificates and Orders for Recovery Charge Certificates and Orders for Recovery If a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) remains unpaid or is ignored, the authority that issued it has the right to increase the charge and register the outstanding amount as Trademark No: UK00003340161. ! and that having been used to pay as you go for years just using the tunnel a few times a year, remembering to pay after the event is something that is easy to forget. Well, I can guess; they will sail through the barriers, oblivious to the implications, as I did. (We spent a week on holiday in France with no internet so we couldnt have paid even if we were aware of the charge.) The official Dart Charge site will confirm the make and registration before allowing motorists to pay. We tried to pay morning of 28th Feb for both crossings online but must have done it wrong as no payment taken. I received an email from Hertz to tell me that they took money on my credit card to pay a parking fine. However, dont leave this until the last moment, because we phoned the number only to be informed it was too busy to take our payment.Pay by phone (if its not too busy): 0300 300 0120, Payzone retail outlet:This is where you can pop into a local store and pay for the charge by cash or other means. I passed over, thinking of that. If the PCN is not paid, additional fines may be imposed and enforcement action may be taken, such as court summons or vehicle clamping. This appears to be an unhelpful, punitive system not in the public interest, apparently designed to maximize cash generation rather than provide a public service. There is no stopping place near any signs relating to payment, where a driver can safely stop and write down whatever information is given about means of payment. The sanef Operations customer service number is 0300 300 0120. 3. Be careful not to mix up the letter 'I' and 'O' with the numbers '1' and '0'. Its worth calling up customer services giving them your number plate and seeing what charges are outstanding. Thanks. Dont trust HMG Agencies? Why didnt the website tell me to pay both fines together and how come its taken a further 3 weeks for an offence on the same day. This was on 22nd May2016 and I received a penalty on 14th Oct 2016, nearly 5 months later! At least on the M6 toll road you are given the opportunity to see prices and if you dont agree, an access road off. The hire company said im responsible for all fines, which I took to mean speeding, jumping lights etc. They have asked I pay another 5 or they will charge me the fine of 70 if I delay (aka appeal). I agree Dave, I live in Switzerland and was caught out like yourself and I am currently finding out how and if, I can appeal. Yet another part of UK democracy where they will take your money as quickly as they can and with penalty clauses but, give it back? If you fail to pay them, they add a little on but nowhere near as much as the Crossing. vorrei essere ricontattato per mail Then switch back to manual top-off and again fill out all my new creditcard data to deposit the money. I hope you found the information helpful and that it helps you decide what to do. Otherwise there should be a lane for optional on-the-spot payment, with clear signage, including the amount of the fee! What an absolute racket! I crossed the crossing in December last year heading to Gatwick and was out if the country for 4 weeks. Dart Charge Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) PDF, 1.65 MB, 2 pages This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. I paid the 7.50 over the phone and they emailed a receipt. Thanks. You should certainly remain exempt if you were before. Yes, you can. The amount due will be 70, but discounted to 35 provided payment is made within a strict period of 14 days from service of the PCN. Additionally, the majority of appeals are successful. There is no signalling at Clackets lane , mobiles from Europe do not always connect. You will then be asked to pay the PCN. 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. What is a Dart penalty charge notice (PCN)? This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. As a result, a Confirm Payment system is in place. What can i do? Hi Chloe I was expecting a lighter treatment, as per the words of a Dart Charge spokesperson, quote: The first penalty charge notice issued for any vehicle for non-payment of the charge will offer the driver an extra 14 days to pay and pay for any crossings they have made since. The window for payment contained in the Regulations is very short, and motorists can often have perfectly understandable reasons for paying late often, as in this case, by using the crossing in order to embark on a longer journey, during which payment may be understandably difficult. Please treat this letter as both my grounds of appeal against any PCN you might issue, and as customer feedback for your operations director. The charge varies depending on the type of vehicle and time of day. The 14-day rule should apply as long as it was the first time you havent paid in that actual car. You can only pay in advance and must send your cheques to: Dart Charge Customer ServicesPO Box 842Leeds LS1 9QF, Help improve the Crossing experience: image credit. Furthermore at the passing times, the traffic was so dense I even didnt see there was a charge to pay or somewhere mentioning a website. the mail services goes slowly, and they were in late with the deliveries. Im about to do mine. Hi It is still active and should include the second one according to the slightly unclear wording on the official rules.Pay both now and you should be fine. I have never had a speeding fine or parking ticket in my life but this is just ridiculous. Do I get 14 days notice to pay the forgotten toll payment or is there a LATE PAYMENT FINE already charged against me. I do not have a smart phone and internet access at my destination was difficult. You'll also have to pay the original fee. Had exactly the same problem phoned and was told it was not possible to pay after midnight on the day after the crossing. Heres a copy of the letter I sent today (I hope it helps if only because it makes you feel youre not alone! Only when the PCNs arrived (yes, two, though a month apart even though the southward/northward journeys were only 8 days apart) did we discover that Dart Charge was a brand name for the toll to cross the Thames. I put it down to road works being carried out at that time. What can I do? Do I stand a chance in hell of succeeding if I appeal, or will they just say no and add another 35 onto the fine since it will take me over the two-week period when the fine is 35 instead of 70? We are pushing to get better signage on the motorway, too. Penalty charge notice number This can be found on the first page of the penalty charge notice you received in the post, it starts with the letters 'IA', 'IB' or 'IK'. Hi Well I doubt youll get the 14-day grace period again, but paying asap might be enough to confuse what sounds like a creaking and groaning penalty system! Are you wondering whether to pay it or dispute the fine? I will then find out why the option is missing. Need more signs as to cost of fee and how to pay. These figures dont appear to have been released since. I am very interested and heartened by the outcome of your independent tribunal. When we get before an audience, we throw most of our natural methods of expression to the wind, and strive after artificial effects. I therefore find that the decision to issue PCN was not a properly exercised discretionary power as allowed for by the Regulations, and therefore procedural impropriety has occurred. Penalty charge is payable for each use of the crossing, so a return trip could cost up to 210.00. Were all being hit by rubbish signage. 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!. Use the information in this article to find your closest. On the 17th I checked on line and found I had paid 5 but been charged only 2.50 for a single crossing. Unfortunately, the transplant wasnt to be, and I came back really tired with my head in a very strange place. So it appears that you have to pay twice for the same crossing. You should be okay though, with the 14-day grace period covering you for this first offence sorry hate using the word offence when it is clearly a genuine oversight caused by poor signage. I used the crossing on the 1st of Feb which i paid over the phone. there was chaos when we went through the tunnel northbound as a vehicle was causing a hazard in one tunnel. An Example: Suppose you received a 60 PCN parking fine. For example, motorists were fined because the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system failed to work. (2) We will be out of the country for the next three weeks so wont be making the return trip within the required 24 hours. And now Im getting penalty straight away? Make sure you keep a record of making the payment. The DART signs are NOT clear, why not put up simple signage explaining the toll is NOT free, and payment required. He called me to ask me to pay, I put his registration in and it was confirmed the make, model and colour of his vehicle. why cant they give us information when required. THIS MUST BE CHANGED. First time ive ever been down that neck of the woods. I fully agree that the Dart Charge is not clearly marked, they should have signs to say it operates at 'any time' and there should be signs to indicate the cost. Apparently it is, but you need to wait for the charge notice to be sent. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Sign-up for the APH weekly newsletter and youll receive discounted airport parking and hotels across the UK. Thanks. 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. We paid both fines and we have receipts. I've had . when I passed there, coming from the North, I remember we found the tollbooths open, this seems like a bit of a mess to me and probably why Humber Bridge are holding back on implementing their similar scheme with everything already in place, anyway looks like we crossed twice at easter on way to and from France unaware of the its introduction in Dartford seeing no signage or media warning of its introduction. I was issued the charge and a 35 fine but it gave me 14 days grace to pay the charge where I wouldnt have to pay the fine. If convicted, he faces 30 years to life in prison. Hi, I received today a penalty as I didnt pay the charge when driving in the Dartford tunnel and 2 weeks later using the Dartford bridge. Come on England, surely they are other decent ways of collecting money, not an overnight or midnight practice!!! Data protection she said. Are you deliberately trying to deter motorists from using this crossing? Fair enough to expect Brits to pre-pay, but how is this to work for tourists????? The chap then advised i had another 7.50 to pay which now clears everything up. I also paid before getting fined, well you do when you suddenly remember after a holiday!! Barring in mind I had the money ready to pay on the day of the journey . So the following week we again went to IKEA, I told my other half that we needed to remember to pay the 2.50 but he reminded me that it was automatically taken so we no longer needed to worry. I have appealed and await the response. penalty charge (Dart Charge or Mersey Gateway). Used the crossing on Saturday, and could not pay within the usual time limit of midnight on the day after because i was travelling. CDER Group provides a full range of payment options, including 24 hour online and automated telephone facilities. I have just forgotton to pay a Dart Charge on time, I paid late on line before I received a PCN 10days later I still have not received a PCN,I am told it is in the system,I am now going away for 3 weeks with no access to mail or computer what happens if it arrives tomorrow. Also, does anyone know whether the first offence referred to includes both non-payment penalties of a return trip (taken during one single day) or whether it includes the very first crossing only? Simply paying when you get back should be okay for a first offence. 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 :- crossed last Friday. In many circumstances, parking tickets are not enforceable. I have cross the bridge couple of times before but paid them in time so this is my first time that I forgot to pay. This system stinks of corruption and tricks to get your money. The government removed the toll booths to prevent bottlenecks from building up. Having a dart behind the commentary box, Ed Sheeran's touching tribute and his selfless act for Bill Lawry. But somehow after months of no problems the auto top up has been deactivated and weve received the fine(s). As you should have received a 14-day period to pay the original toll from when the letter arrived. Herve. Surely, they cant accept the payment and still issue a fine? 00000727412022FYfalse000002342600003152560000013372http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2022#AccountingStandardsUpdate201613Memberhttp://fasb.org/us-gaap/2022# . My wife forgot to pay the charge until a day after the midnight deadline its her second time. In this situation, you'll need to contact your PCN issuer and ask if they can tell you your PCN number. Hi If it is your first time you should certainly be fine. The fine is reduced to 35 if you . This system is only OK if a reminder letter is sent out to non-payers before imposing fines (which would be too expensive of course, so it will never happen). Click here to pay online, set up a payment plan or manage your account using our Customer Portal. Three points: On Dart tag website it will tell you to prepay at 100s stores often the open all hours type. I was away 1/2 weeks ago, should I pay now or await the letter, saying car not found on system? rather than fined. They also damaged the vehicle. I used the crossing twice for the first time in 2 years yesterday evening, with my pound coins ready. Full name (Witness) Address Postcode The above named witness, declares that: Tick all boxes that apply to you. The government, establishment, call it what you will is constantly taking money out of the public purse by way of taxes, fines, etc and into the private coffers. click on Start Now button And most importantly, dont worry be happy. As a foreigner who occasionally visits the UK i wasnt even aware of the new toll system until i was coincidentally tipped off right before my next visit. I drove to work 5 times, that made 10 crossings. The amount they have demanded in this case therefore exceeds what they are entitled to demand. East Midlands Airport Meet & Greet Parking, Click here for further information on starting your appeal to the independent adjudicator, https://www.gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge, Bristol Airport Drop-off & Pick Up Charges, Stansted Airport Drop-off & Pick up Charges, https://www.aph.com/community/holidays/dartford-crossing-new-charging-system-explained/#appeal, CustomerService@dartford-crossing-charge.service.gov.uk, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-30633955. While on holiday in France, I read that first time users of the crossing were being given 14 days to pay in view of the unsatisfactory arrangements for collecting payments (source http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-30633955): 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. When asking the lady there which dates I am missing the could not tell. There should be a clear distinction made between people who have paid the charge before a PCN is issued (ie. Hi Sanef who operate the system should cancel these fines, but if not, the adjudicator should do so. Should I contact them? Re-roll whole conversation and stale mate. Put your PCN number and vehicle reg in on the next page etc. I live in Scotland and very rarely drive to London. After working in the Credit Card and Loan industry for more than a decade, Scott felt a desire to make a greater positive impact in the world. Ease of travel should be a right. then pay it. This shows there is something fishy going on inside the department or the management of Dartford crossing charge. First and only time we made a return trip we forgot to pay. We will be contacting more the Agency and looking for assurances that signage will improve.