Dart Charge registration now available for go live 30 Nov
Discussion
The go live to remove the pay barriers at the QE2 Bridge crossing at Dartford is now 30th November.
Accounts to set up a pre-payment card can be set up at https://www.dartford-crossing-charge.service.gov.u.... You can also set the system to top up automatically.
Here's hoping that the new system will eliminate the bottleneck and reduce the queues.
Oh, and the charge is going up to £3.
Accounts to set up a pre-payment card can be set up at https://www.dartford-crossing-charge.service.gov.u.... You can also set the system to top up automatically.
Here's hoping that the new system will eliminate the bottleneck and reduce the queues.
Oh, and the charge is going up to £3.
People with Dart Tags are now being sent emails advising them how to set-up a Dart Charge account. But in the blurb that accompanies the email it states the following:-
Currently you may share a tag between vehicles. We will continue to use tags to identify vehicles but once Dart Charge commences, your tag must be fitted in only one vehicle and must not be moved between vehicles. We will always read your vehicle registration, whether you have a tag fitted or not. We can supply extra tags if you make more than ten crossings a month.
To me this suggests that you will still need to show your Dart Tag (either physically or by having it attached to your windscreen) but this seems pointless considering Dart Charge reads your numberplate?
Currently you may share a tag between vehicles. We will continue to use tags to identify vehicles but once Dart Charge commences, your tag must be fitted in only one vehicle and must not be moved between vehicles. We will always read your vehicle registration, whether you have a tag fitted or not. We can supply extra tags if you make more than ten crossings a month.
To me this suggests that you will still need to show your Dart Tag (either physically or by having it attached to your windscreen) but this seems pointless considering Dart Charge reads your numberplate?
People with Dart Tags are now being sent emails advising them how to set-up a Dart Charge account. But in the blurb that accompanies the email it states the following:-
Currently you may share a tag between vehicles. We will continue to use tags to identify vehicles but once Dart Charge commences, your tag must be fitted in only one vehicle and must not be moved between vehicles. We will always read your vehicle registration, whether you have a tag fitted or not. We can supply extra tags if you make more than ten crossings a month.
To me this suggests that you will still need to show your Dart Tag (either physically or by having it attached to your windscreen) but this seems pointless considering Dart Charge reads your numberplate?
Currently you may share a tag between vehicles. We will continue to use tags to identify vehicles but once Dart Charge commences, your tag must be fitted in only one vehicle and must not be moved between vehicles. We will always read your vehicle registration, whether you have a tag fitted or not. We can supply extra tags if you make more than ten crossings a month.
To me this suggests that you will still need to show your Dart Tag (either physically or by having it attached to your windscreen) but this seems pointless considering Dart Charge reads your numberplate?
Humpy D said:
To me this suggests that you will still need to show your Dart Tag (either physically or by having it attached to your windscreen) but this seems pointless considering Dart Charge reads your numberplate?
This is the question I'm also trying to find the answer to. I've received the migration email and my verification number but I can't see the point in having a tag any longer? I have run the Tag account down so it only has £0.27 in it now, so I can let that go - am I better off just opening a new standard account which I can add as many vehicles to as I want, or will it pipe up at me when I try to do that and say "ah ha, you have a Dart tag, carry on with that sonny"?I'll try and call them tomorrow to find out, but I expect to be greeted by IVR which tells me that they are "experiencing an unusually high volume of calls and all our agents are busy helping other customers".
So, I have just spoken to them. Clear as mud!!
If you migrate your Dart Tag account, you can either continue to use the tag or not. I asked him what the benefit was of using a tag if all cars would be read with ANPR anyway, and he said the tag was "more accurate" and can deduct from your account more quickly. Also, I was quite surprised to hear that if you are an existing Tag account holder, you can request new or additional tags.
Really can't see the point of all that at all!! Obviously they should transfer your balance across, but why all the faff of having two different means of tracking the cars? And of course the cynic in me wonders whether "teething problems" with the software will lead to double-charging, once against your tag and once against ANPR.
I think I'll just bin the Tag account and set up a new Charge account and be done with it.
If you migrate your Dart Tag account, you can either continue to use the tag or not. I asked him what the benefit was of using a tag if all cars would be read with ANPR anyway, and he said the tag was "more accurate" and can deduct from your account more quickly. Also, I was quite surprised to hear that if you are an existing Tag account holder, you can request new or additional tags.
Really can't see the point of all that at all!! Obviously they should transfer your balance across, but why all the faff of having two different means of tracking the cars? And of course the cynic in me wonders whether "teething problems" with the software will lead to double-charging, once against your tag and once against ANPR.
I think I'll just bin the Tag account and set up a new Charge account and be done with it.
CAPP0 said:
So, I have just spoken to them. Clear as mud!!
If you migrate your Dart Tag account, you can either continue to use the tag or not. I asked him what the benefit was of using a tag if all cars would be read with ANPR anyway, and he said the tag was "more accurate" and can deduct from your account more quickly. Also, I was quite surprised to hear that if you are an existing Tag account holder, you can request new or additional tags.
Really can't see the point of all that at all!! Obviously they should transfer your balance across, but why all the faff of having two different means of tracking the cars? And of course the cynic in me wonders whether "teething problems" with the software will lead to double-charging, once against your tag and once against ANPR.
I think I'll just bin the Tag account and set up a new Charge account and be done with it.
Very interesting, cheers for the update. I migrated my account a few weeks ago but haven't had any further information either. I'm down to £1 on my tag account, so I'm waiting to work out whether there will be one single account that will reference Tag and Charge, but nothing forthcoming as of yet.If you migrate your Dart Tag account, you can either continue to use the tag or not. I asked him what the benefit was of using a tag if all cars would be read with ANPR anyway, and he said the tag was "more accurate" and can deduct from your account more quickly. Also, I was quite surprised to hear that if you are an existing Tag account holder, you can request new or additional tags.
Really can't see the point of all that at all!! Obviously they should transfer your balance across, but why all the faff of having two different means of tracking the cars? And of course the cynic in me wonders whether "teething problems" with the software will lead to double-charging, once against your tag and once against ANPR.
I think I'll just bin the Tag account and set up a new Charge account and be done with it.
I'll share my experiences too!
The spokesman for the company who are administering this system, stated that those who fail to register, but who then use the crossing would be tracked down and fined, because it would not be fair for some to pay the toll charge, whilst others did not.
This being the case, if there are no facilities for paying by cash anymore, how are the drivers of foreign vehicles, (many of whom would not be likely to have logged into the Dart charge website on a computer to register) going to pay for `their' crossing.
Will there be a separate lane for foreign vehicles? will foreign drivers cause hold ups at the crossing, through not being in a position to know how the tolls to them will be charged? Or will it come down to the usual UK response, of letting foreign vehicles go through FOC, whilst at the same time hounding UK drivers for the fee?
If anyone out there knows how foreign vehicles using the crossing will be dealt with, I for one would be interested to know.
This being the case, if there are no facilities for paying by cash anymore, how are the drivers of foreign vehicles, (many of whom would not be likely to have logged into the Dart charge website on a computer to register) going to pay for `their' crossing.
Will there be a separate lane for foreign vehicles? will foreign drivers cause hold ups at the crossing, through not being in a position to know how the tolls to them will be charged? Or will it come down to the usual UK response, of letting foreign vehicles go through FOC, whilst at the same time hounding UK drivers for the fee?
If anyone out there knows how foreign vehicles using the crossing will be dealt with, I for one would be interested to know.
As there have been no replies, does mean that none of us currently know how the crossing charge company (Sanef I thnk) are going to deal with non UK drivers, who go through the Dartford crossing, but who have not registered to do so.
If these drivers cannot pay at the crossing (as UK drivers will not be able to) and have not registered with the Dart charge, how will this company make it (as per `their' comment) fair for ALL drivers using the crossing, and obtain the crossing fees from non UK vehicles??
No one seem to have addressed this question that I have been able to determine.
If these drivers cannot pay at the crossing (as UK drivers will not be able to) and have not registered with the Dart charge, how will this company make it (as per `their' comment) fair for ALL drivers using the crossing, and obtain the crossing fees from non UK vehicles??
No one seem to have addressed this question that I have been able to determine.
Just found out that foreign drivers will have to pay by credit card. How are they going to do that without stopping at a booth to enter card and PIN number? seems like a recipe for a hold up, as foreign drivers will probably have to change lanes to reach the correct lane with the credit card machine, (and in all probability sit in queue in order to do so)
Pan Pan said:
Just found out that foreign drivers will have to pay by credit card. How are they going to do that without stopping at a booth to enter card and PIN number? seems like a recipe for a hold up, as foreign drivers will probably have to change lanes to reach the correct lane with the credit card machine, (and in all probability sit in queue in order to do so)
On line, by phone, in some retail/garage outlets, a bit like the congestion charge but cheaper.Should be a big improvement.
Just converted one of my cars from Dart tag to automated.
Annoyingly, its does work of number plates!
I have to find the letter for my wifes car, call again and go through the process again...despite telling the guy on the phone what her plate is.
Dart guy on phone "We don't have access to number plates, hence we need your account number"
me "Err, the new system works of number plates"
Anyway, should be better queue wise.
Annoyingly, its does work of number plates!
I have to find the letter for my wifes car, call again and go through the process again...despite telling the guy on the phone what her plate is.
Dart guy on phone "We don't have access to number plates, hence we need your account number"
me "Err, the new system works of number plates"
Anyway, should be better queue wise.
Henry Fiddleton said:
Just converted one of my cars from Dart tag to automated.
Annoyingly, its does work of number plates!
I have to find the letter for my wifes car, call again and go through the process again...despite telling the guy on the phone what her plate is.
Dart guy on phone "We don't have access to number plates, hence we need your account number"
me "Err, the new system works of number plates"
Anyway, should be better queue wise.
Not yet it doesnt BUT after 30th it will. One off users will not have an account number. I`m still interested how much they will lose as all the cars bunch up during peak time making the anpr impossibleAnnoyingly, its does work of number plates!
I have to find the letter for my wifes car, call again and go through the process again...despite telling the guy on the phone what her plate is.
Dart guy on phone "We don't have access to number plates, hence we need your account number"
me "Err, the new system works of number plates"
Anyway, should be better queue wise.
Monkeylegend said:
On line, by phone, in some retail/garage outlets, a bit like the congestion charge but cheaper.
Should be a big improvement.
Sorry if this appears thick, but if a foreigner arrives at Dover and drives north, just what do I do? No phone, have credit cards etc., but can I pay at the bridge/tunnel or where? Or can I just drive through and say thank you for letting foreigners through for free?Should be a big improvement.
lowdrag said:
Sorry if this appears thick, but if a foreigner arrives at Dover and drives north, just what do I do? No phone, have credit cards etc., but can I pay at the bridge/tunnel or where? Or can I just drive through and say thank you for letting foreigners through for free?
They'll trace the number and send a fine/excess charge or whatever they call it directly and if not paid they'll try and get it via collection agencies in Johnny Foreigner's own country lowdrag said:
Monkeylegend said:
On line, by phone, in some retail/garage outlets, a bit like the congestion charge but cheaper.
Should be a big improvement.
Sorry if this appears thick, but if a foreigner arrives at Dover and drives north, just what do I do? No phone, have credit cards etc., but can I pay at the bridge/tunnel or where? Or can I just drive through and say thank you for letting foreigners through for free?Should be a big improvement.
Have you logged onto the Dart Charge website, there is a lot of useful info on there which might answer your question.
This change has not been very well advertised, unlike the intro of the congestion charge.
They have a scale of fines for non payment, so I would assume the registered keeper will get a payment demand in the post for non payment.
lowdrag said:
Sorry if this appears thick, but if a foreigner arrives at Dover and drives north, just what do I do? No phone, have credit cards etc., but can I pay at the bridge/tunnel or where? Or can I just drive through and say thank you for letting foreigners through for free?
You can pay before hand on the web somewhow. I have been trying to find out but all the information just tells you how to set up a Dart payment thing even though it says you can pay by card using a site that doesn't tell you a thing!Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff