Drivers charged more than £4 million by accident over last year at Dartford Crossing
Drivers in the UK were mistakenly given fines on the Dartford Crossing over the last 12 months that totalled just over £4.1 million.
A total of 59,007 penalty charge notices (PCNs) were cancelled in the year following National Highways' switch to a new payment provider for the crossing.
This was a significant increase compared to just 3,595 charges cancelled in the previous year.
The cancelled PCNs had a combined value of £4.1 million at the time they were issued, with each penalty set at £70, or £35 if paid within 14 days.
National Highways awarded a £150 million contract to private company Conduent in July 2023 to handle payments for the crossing, which links Thurrock in Essex with Dartford in Kent.
After Conduent took over, some drivers were fined or charged incorrectly due to vehicles with similar registration plates crossing the toll, even though the vehicles involved were not theirs.
The crossing charges apply between 6am and 10pm, with one-off fees ranging from £2.50 for cars to £6 for lorries.
Known as the Dart Charge, the fee must be paid by midnight the day after the crossing, with payment options available online, by phone, or by post. However, many drivers experienced difficulties in making payments or managing their accounts.
National Highways has since stated that it has ‘resolved the issues’ affecting the system.
- Penalty Charge Notices – what are they and how can you appeal?
- Fixed Penalty Notices – all you need to know
- PCNs – what to do if you get one?
Following the release of the data regarding the fines, National Highways said in a statement: “There were technical issues with the transition to the new service providers, which resulted in an increased number of PCNs issued and an increase in cancelled PCNs.
“We regret that some customers have experienced issues when making payments and managing their accounts following the transition to the new Dart Charge service providers.
“We understand that anything associated with finances can be stressful, and we apologise for the inconvenience that these customers have faced.
“In the minority of circumstances where PCNs are issued in error, the charge will be cancelled as soon as a customer contacts us to let us know.
“We have resolved the issues and seen the errors reduce to less than 1 per cent of all PCNs issued.”
As of November 11th 2024, Conduent have not provided a comment on the report.

Cheaper than AA Price Promise^
- Roadside cover from £5.29 a month*
- We get to most breakdowns in 60 mins or less
- Our patrols fix 4/5 breakdowns on the spot
*At least 10% of new customers pay this for single-vehicle Roadside (Basic). ^T&Cs apply.
You might also like

Autumn Budget: What it means for motorists
What the new 2024 Labour Autumn Budget means for drivers and car owners across the UK. Check out our one-stop guide on the Autumn budget.

Are old paper driving licences still valid?
Paper licences issued before 31st March 2000 are still valid, but you will need to exchange it if you change your name or address

Everything you need to know about brake pads
Whether you’re looking to replace your brake pads or taking your car to a garage, read this guide first to understand how brake pads work.

Car tax bands: a complete guide to car tax
Find the latest information on this year's upcoming tax bands. Read our guide containing an easy-to-follow table and how any changes can impact you.
Video

Car won't start in the cold? Possible causes and preventative tips
When the temperature drops, you may experience problems with starting your car. Here are the possible causes and solutions for a car that won't start.
Popular in News
1
Car buyers to save thousands as EV grant returns
2
Private parking companies issue a record 14.4m tickets to drivers in a single year
3
Drivers fined £1m from just 36 yellow box junctions in 2024
4
Road deaths on the rise in Great Britain
5
Private parking industry urged to publish ‘full and transparent’ complaints and appeals data
6
Drivers now able to search for new home that comes with EV chargers
7
Leicester’s Sean Kimberlin named as RAC Mobile Mechanic of the Year
8
Number of drivers caught using unroadworthy vehicles jumps by 52% in a year
9
Warning to drivers across the UK over fake parking apps
10