Half a million Dart Charge fines issued in one month

Half a million drivers were issued with a fine for non-payment of the Dart Charge in just a single month, new figures from National Highways show.

The data, obtained by Fleet News via a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, reveal that more penalty charge notices (PCNs) have been issued each month, on average, since a new company became responsible for vehicle identification, payment processing and account management. 

Conduent took over the payment system used for journeys across the Dartford Crossing over the River Thames from July 28, 2023, while Emovis continued to issue and handle enquiries for PCNs. 

However, as reported by Fleet News at the time, the changeover left many drivers struggling to update their accounts, pay charges or speak to anyone at the call centre with phone lines jammed.

In fact, as reported by Fleet News in May, problems with the Dart Charge payment system were blamed for thousands of fines being incorrectly issued, including more than 2,500 to one fleet operator.

Issues have included accounts being suspended, numberplates not being recognised and crossing charges not being automatically paid, despite funds being available.

One vehicle hire company even had vehicles clamped for unpaid fines, claiming the first it knew about the unpaid PCNs was when bailiffs arrived.