Dart Charge Calculator
Calculate Dartford Crossing charges for cars, motorcycles, vans, coaches and goods vehicles. Use one-off, pay-as-you-go, pre-pay or local resident pricing, then estimate weekly, monthly and yearly crossing costs.
Crossing Details
Estimated Dart Charge
Pre-pay car charge is applied to 10 chargeable crossings in the selected week.
The calculator counts charges only. It does not pay the Dart Charge, check number plates or confirm whether a crossing has been recorded.
What the Dart Charge Covers
Chargeable window
GOV.UK states that the charge applies every day between 6am and 10pm, including weekends and bank holidays. Crossings between 10pm and 6am are not charged.
Vehicle class
Cars, motorhomes and minibuses with no more than 9 seats are Class B. Goods vehicles, buses and coaches use axle-based classes C and D. Motorcycles, mopeds and quad bikes are free.
Account pricing
One-off and pay-as-you-go rates are the same for chargeable vehicles. Pre-pay account rates are lower, so regular users should compare monthly and yearly totals.
How to Use the Calculator
Select the vehicle class first. For cars with trailers, motorhomes and minibuses with 9 or fewer seats including the driver, use Class B. For goods vehicles, buses and coaches, count axles as GOV.UK describes. Droppable axles count whether they are up or down. For articulated vehicles, count trailer axles too. If the vehicle is a motorcycle, moped or quad bike, the calculator will show a zero charge.
Next, choose the payment type. One-off payment and pay-as-you-go account charges are currently the same. Pre-pay account charges are lower for Class B, C and D vehicles. Local resident discount is separate and is available only to people who meet the residence and account rules for Dartford or Thurrock council boundaries. The tool can price the local resident annual options, but it does not test whether you qualify.
Finally, enter the number of crossings and the period. A return commute across the crossing is two crossings per day, not one. If you cross north in the morning and south in the evening, count two. If all crossings are between 10pm and 6am, choose the free-time option and the charge will be zero.
Formula and Method
period charge = crossings x charge per crossing
weekly equivalent = period charge x weekly conversion factor
monthly equivalent = weekly equivalent x 52 / 12
yearly equivalent = weekly equivalent x 52
potential PCN total = missed payment PCNs x penalty charge notice amount
The weekly conversion factor changes with the period. A daily input is multiplied by 7. A weekly input is unchanged. A monthly input is converted by 12 divided by 52. A yearly input is divided by 52. This lets you enter the pattern in the form you actually use while still seeing a fair comparison.
Current Dart Charge Rates Used
| Vehicle class | One-off payment | Pay as you go | Pre-pay account | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class A: motorcycles, mopeds and quad bikes | Free | Free | Free | No charge applies to this class. |
| Class B: cars, trailers, motorhomes and minibuses up to 9 seats | £3.50 | £3.50 | £2.80 | Most private cars use this class. |
| Class C: vehicles with 2 axles | £4.20 | £4.20 | £3.60 | Used for many vans, buses, coaches and goods vehicles. |
| Class D: vehicles with more than 2 axles | £8.40 | £8.40 | £7.20 | Count droppable axles and relevant trailer axles. |
| Local resident discount | £25 a year unlimited, or £12.50 for 50 crossings with top-ups available | Only for eligible Dartford or Thurrock residents with an account. | ||
Worked Examples
Car commuter: A driver crosses twice per working day, five days per week. That is 10 crossings per week. With a pre-pay account at £2.80 per crossing, the weekly cost is £28.00. Over a full year, the simple equivalent is £1,456 before holiday and remote working are removed. If the driver takes six weeks away from the crossing, a separate 46-week estimate would be lower.
Two-axle goods vehicle: A van or rigid vehicle in Class C crosses six times per week. With a pre-pay account at £3.60, the weekly cost is £21.60. Without pre-pay, the same six crossings would be £25.20. The difference is small for one trip, but regular routes can justify setting up and maintaining the account.
Night crossing: A car crosses at 11:30pm and returns at 5:30am. Both crossings are outside the chargeable window, so the charge is zero. If the return crossing moved to 6:15am, that crossing would be chargeable.
Payment Timing and Penalty Notes
- Pay promptly. If you use a one-off payment, pay by the official deadline shown on GOV.UK. The calculator does not track whether your vehicle crossed.
- Check the number plate. A small typing error can leave the real crossing unpaid. Copy the registration from the V5C or vehicle record rather than from memory.
- Rental and hire vehicles need care. Some rental firms pay charges and bill you; others expect you to pay. Check the hire agreement before crossing.
- Disability exemption can apply. Vehicles with free UK vehicle tax because of a disability do not need to pay the charge and are checked automatically.
FAQ
Does the charge apply in both directions?
Yes, during the chargeable hours the charge applies when using the crossing. Count each crossing separately.
Is the Dart Charge a toll booth payment?
No. The crossing uses number plate recognition and payment is made online, through an account or by other official payment routes. There are no payment barriers at the crossing.
Can this calculator check if I have already paid?
No. It only estimates cost. Use the official Dart Charge service to pay, manage an account or check outstanding charges.
Sources
- GOV.UK. (2026). Pay the Dartford Crossing charge (Dart Charge): Charges. UK Government. Accessed 18 May 2026.
- GOV.UK. (2026). Pay the Dartford Crossing charge (Dart Charge): Fines. UK Government. Accessed 18 May 2026.