DARTFORD CROSSING
Caura is the fastest way to pay the Dart Charge. Download the app now and pay in two taps.
Pay the Dart Charge with Caura
Known as one of the key crossings in Europe, this bridge and two tunnels takes you across the river Thames on the eastern section of the M25.
Heading for a weekend getaway? Or popping out for a day shopping at Bluewater? Use the Dart to get where you need to be. But remember to pay.
Caura helps you sort the Dart charge before you even get in the car. With no extra fees. Then drive off for some admin-free fun.
What is the Dart Charge?
The first tunnel opened in 1963, taking 12,000 vehicles every day. But as time went on, it couldn’t cope with the serious amount of traffic using it. So urgent construction of the second tunnel began in 1971.
Both tunnels were connected to the M25, and demand grew to a whopping 79,000 vehicles per day. In 1991, the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge was built to half the load again. Now traffic flows nice and freely.
What you need to know
Drivers are charged per crossing, there are no barriers or payment booths, so payment must be made online. The Caura app is the easiest way to make payment.
Dartford Crossing charging times
Fees only apply from 6am - 10pm. All year round, 7 days per week. Including Christmas Day and bank holidays.
How much is the Dart Charge?
- A one-way crossing for cars, motorhomes, passenger vans and buses with less than 9 seats: £2.50 (£2 for account holders)
- A one-way crossing for goods vehicles with two axles (including vans and small trucks): £3 (£2.63 for account holders)
- A one-way crossing for multi-axeled goods vehicles: £6 (£5.19 for account holders)
Fines for the Dart Charge
Pay the Dart Charge within 28 days of your crossing, or you’ll get fined £70, plus the original crossing fee. This penalty is sent to the address your vehicle’s registered at
This amount halves if you pay it within 14 days – but rises to £105 if you don’t sort it
If you think you've been fined unfairly, you can appeal the charge
Dartford Crossing charge exemptions
There are discounts for regular users with prepaid accounts, as well as a few other exemptions for certain road users.
- If you don’t pay vehicle tax because you’re disabled, then it’s free
- Mopeds, and motorbikes cross for free
- While cyclists aren’t allowed to cross – there are free shuttles to take them over at no charge
- If you’re a local with a car or small van, you get unlimited crossings for £20 per year, or £10 a year for 50 crossings
Can I avoid paying?
- Travel by night – after 10pm and before 6am
- If you’re off on an adventure (trying to get to M1 or similar), then you could take the western side motorway which avoids the crossing
- The Woolwich ferry is free to use and open to cars, if you are trying to get in or out of central London
- Or there’s a foot ferry between Tilbury and Gravesend
Pay your clean air charges in seconds
How do I know if I'm about to drive over the Dartford Crossing?
If you're driving on the eastern section of the M25 that crosses the Thames, then you'll have to use the crossing. You'll see signs in plenty of time, though there is no physical barrier or toll station to cross. You'll need to be aware of having made the crossing, and then remember to pay the charge.
Pay the Dart Charge with Caura
Forget fiddly forms and multiple sites. Pay the Dart Charge on Caura’s speedy app.
It (seriously) only takes a second. Two taps and you’re done. Just download the app, find ‘Roads and tolls’ and choose the ‘Dart Charge’. Pay in seconds and you’re done. With no extra fees.
Caura is the only app you need
Caura doesn’t just help you pay for vehicle fees. Anything car admin, we help you sort effortlessly. Think vehicle tax, insurance, and a whole lot more. Don’t waste time on multiple websites to make payments.
Questions?
Find answers to common questions here. If you can't find what you're looking for then email us on support@caura.com and we'll get back to you.
My account
Do I have to sign up to access Caura?
Yes. To enjoy the benefits of Caura, like timely reminders for tax and insurance, and ultrafast city charge and toll payments, you’ll need to create an account. This is so we can let you know about important expiry dates and booking details.
Can I change the email address I use for Caura?
You can’t currently change your email address on Caura (but we are working on it). As a workaround, you can log out of your current account and sign up with a new email address. We won’t be able to transfer the history over.
What happens if I forget my account credentials?
Easily done. Just tap ‘Forgot Password’ on the Log In screen - we’ll send you a password reset link via your registered email address. If you used your Google or Apple profile details (instead of an email address) to create your account, you’ll need to continue to use this sign-in method.
My account has been suspended, why?
Your account may be suspended as a precaution if we see evidence of fraud or a violation of our terms of service. Please email support@caura.com or send us a message in-app, and we can investigate this with you.
How do I delete my account?
Please email support@caura.com or send us a message in-app, and we can take care of that for you. Please feel free to let us know why you want to leave, as we’re always working to improve Caura for drivers like you.
Managing vehicles
How do I add or remove vehicles from my account?
To add a vehicle, simply swipe to the left on your current vehicle or tap the ‘+’ icon on the Home screen. To remove a vehicle, tap and hold on the vehicle image.
My vehicle cannot be found when I add my number plate, why not?
All vehicles registered with the DVLA should show on Caura. Please make sure you are entering a valid number plate recognised by the DVLA. If the problem persists please email support@caura.com.
Why can’t I see my updated vehicle details (e.g. tax, MOT) on Caura?
If you have made the update on Caura (e.g. paid for tax on Caura), it should update automatically within a few days. If it doesn't, you can pull down the image of your vehicle from the Home screen, which will refresh the app.
Managing payment methods
How do I add or remove a payment method?
You can add, remove and set your default payment method via the Payment Methods screen, accessed via the Account tab. To remove a payment method, swipe it to the left. To set a payment method as the default option, swipe it to the right.
What if I need to change my AutoPay payment method?
Go to your AutoPay account in-app (by going to the City Charges screen). From your AutoPay account, tap the current payment method selected. You can then choose to change your payment method tied to your AutoPay, either select an existing payment method or add a new card to Caura.
Roads & Tolls
Which tolls can I pay for on Caura?
Currently, you can quickly and easily pay for the following tolls and charges in two taps on Caura:
- Dart Charge (Dartford Crossing)
- Tyne Tunnels
- Merseyflow charges (Mersey Gateway or Silver Jubilee Bridge)
You can find out more about tolls and charges here.
Does Caura charge an additional fee?
Caura charges no additional fee to pay toll charges, or to make any other transaction via the app. We don’t take any of the money for your payment and once it’s made it goes straight to the end provider.
Do all vehicles have to pay these tolls?
For some tolls, certain types of vehicles may face different charges or be exempt from paying any charge altogether. For example, motorcycles, mopeds and quad bikes are all exempt from the Dart Charge.
Currently on Caura, we only show the Roads & Tolls charges to select vehicles that have to pay a given rate.
How do I know if I have to pay a toll?
All of the Roads & Tolls on Caura use ANPR to automatically detect when your vehicle has driven through the charging zone. If your vehicle is liable you will have to pay for each time you make a trip through the toll area. Look out for signs to signal when you’re entering the toll zone.
For some tolls, certain types of vehicles may face different charges or be exempt from paying any charge altogether. For example, motorcycles, mopeds and quad bikes are all exempt from the Dart Charge. You can learn more about each charge and the price vehicles have to pay here.
Can I pay for tolls in advance?
Currently, you can pay for either today, tomorrow or yesterday in-app on Caura. Make sure you pay for the right date for any trips you make, as we’re unable to offer a refund for any payments made for the wrong day by mistake.
What happens if I pay for the wrong toll or wrong day by mistake?
If you’ve paid for the wrong charge, or the wrong day, unfortunately we aren’t able to offer a refund. We don’t take any of the money for your payment and once it’s made it goes straight to the end provider. We’re unable to recover funds so we aren’t able to offer a refund.
Do I have to make multiple bookings for multiple trips in the same day?
Yes - you have to pay for each time you make a trip through a toll area.
For example, if you drive both there and back on your journey across the Tyne Tunnels, then you will need to make two payments for the two separate trips through the tunnels.
Don’t worry, making multiple payments can be done in just one tap on Caura.
Where can I view my payment receipts in Caura?
You can view any payments you’ve made by going to the History tab in Caura. Tap on any payment in the list to view more detail. From there, you can even export a receipt to your email.
Dart Charge
What is the Dart Charge?
The Dart Charge is the payment drivers pay to use the Dartford Crossing, crossing the Thames on the Eastern section of the M25. You can read more about the charge here.
What times does the Dart Charge apply?
Charges apply from 6am - 10pm all year round, 7 days a week. Including Christmas Day bank holiday. You can pay up to 12 months before you cross.
How much is the Dart Charge?
One way crossing costs per vehicle type:
- £2.50 for cars, motorhomes, passenger vans and buses with less than 9 seats
- £3 for goods vehicles with two axles (including vans and small trucks)
- £6 for multi-axled goods vehicles
How do I pay for the Dart Charge?
Download Caura and find Dart Charge under Roads & Tolls, where you can pay for today, yesterday or tomorrow.
Are there any discounts or exemptions?
There is no charge for the following:
- Disabled drivers who are not required to pay car tax (VED)
- Mopeds and motorbikes
If you’re a local with a car or small van, you get unlimited crossings for £20 per year, or £10 a year for 50 crossings.
There are free shuttles for cyclists.
Will I get fined if I don’t pay the Dart Charge?
Pay the Dart Charge within 28 days of your crossing, otherwise you’ll get fined £70, plus the original crossing fee. This amount halves if you pay it within 14 days – but rises to £105 if you don’t pay in the time limit.
Can I still pay in cash for the crossing?
No, cash payments have stopped being accepted. Caura is the quickest way to pay - it's just two taps!
Do I have to make multiple bookings for multiple trips in the same day?
Yes - you have to pay for each time you drive over the crossing. You can pay for a return journey with one single transaction on Caura.
Where can I view my payment receipts in Caura?
You can view any payments you’ve made by going to the History tab in Caura. Tap on any payment in the list to view more detail. From there, you can even export a receipt to your email.