TYNE TUNNELS
Caura’s the quickest way to pay the Tyne Tunnel charge. Download the app and pay in two taps.
Use Caura to pay the Tyne Tunnels toll
Whether you’re flying from Newcastle Airport or heading for a beach day out with the family – the Tyne Tunnels take you under the river and where you need to be in no time.
Use Caura to pay the tunnels toll and forget the faff. Just download the app, find Tyne Tunnels under City Charges, and sort it before you even get in the car. Hello hassle-free journey.
What are the Tyne Tunnels?
Found in the North East, the Tyne Tunnels are two traffic tunnels known as the main way to cross the river and get into Newcastle for those living by the coast or using the A19.
The first tunnel was opened by Queen Elizabeth in 1967, and then a second was built in November 2011. At the time, this area was one of the worst congestion black spots in the UK, so the second tunnel was revolutionary. Delays of 45 minutes used to be the norm, whereas a 10-minute delay today would be worrying.
What you need to know
The great news is that you now no longer need to stop and pay the toll when driving from one end of the tunnel to another. You can drive straight through and pay the Tyne Tunnel fee on your phone. Easy.
Tyne Tunnels charging times
Both tunnels are open 365 days a year. It's a 24/7 charge, you have to pay, whatever time of day it is.
How much to use the Tyne Tunnels?
Daily charges, payable on each occasion:
- For cyclists and pedestrians: free
- For motorbikes and disabled registered vehicles: free
- For cars, vans and buses less than 3.5 tonnes: £1.90 each way
- For LGVs, vans, and buses over 3.5 tonnes: £3.70 each way
Fines for the Tyne Tunnels
If you don’t pay the toll charge by midnight the day after you use the tunnel – or forget to pay entirely – you’ll get a fine of £30, plus the Tyne Tunnel toll fee.
If you don’t pay the fine within 14 days, it doubles to £60.
If you still don’t pay within 28 days, you’ll face a £100 fine.
Tyne Tunnels works with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to send an Unpaid Toll Charge Notice (UTCN) in the post.
Tyne Tunnels toll exemptions
The only exemptions from the tolls are for Blue Badge holders, or those with vehicles that are exempt due to a disability. Apply for an exemption on the Tyne Tunnels’ website.
Those with an exemption must stop at an inspection lane for each way of travel. If not, they’ll have to pay the toll.
What roads do the Tyne Tunnels use?
Here’s how to use the Tyne Tunnels, for both Northbound and Southbound.
- Heading North: After leaving the Northbound tunnel, use either lane to continue on the A19. For the A187, use the right lane and then merge through the dashed line lane on the right and follow it to the A187
- Heading South: As you approach the Southbound tunnel, drive straight through using either lane for the A19 or left for the A185. If you want to exit onto the A185, keep in the left lane inside the tunnel so you don’t miss the exit
Pay your clean air charges in seconds
How do I know if I need to pay the Tyne Tunnels toll?
Roads approaching the tunnels will be clearly sign-posted, but there's no payment barrier or booth, so you'll need to be aware that you've used the crossing, and it's then your responsibility to pay the toll charge.
Pay the Tyne Tunnels charges with Caura
Speedily sort all your Tyne Tunnel payments with Caura. Simply download the app and pay without any extra fees. Sort everything before you even get in the car. No more slow websites or fiddly phone numbers. Then stash all your receipts on the app, in case you need to check back. One app. Two taps. Simple.
Pay for everything car with Caura
But Caura doesn’t just sort Tyne Tunnel payments. From insurance to road tax and everything in between, the app helps you do all your car admin, all in one place.
Load your car onto Caura in a second. Then make two-tap payments for tolls and city charges and save your time for the things that are more important.
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.
Tyne Tunnels
What are the Tyne Tunnels?
The Tyne Tunnels are a key route across the Tyne into Newcastle for those living by the coast or using the A19. You can learn more here.
What times do the Tyne Tunnels charges apply?
Charges apply all day, every day. You need to pay whenever you cross the Tyne Tunnel.
How much to use the Tyne Tunnels?
Each way charges as follows:
- £1.90 for cars, vans and buses under 3.5 tonnes
- £3.70 for LGVs, vans and buses over 3.5 tonnes
- Motorbikes and mopeds cross for free
How do I pay Tyne Tunnels charges?
Caura is the fastest way to pay, it takes a second via the app.
Are there any discounts or exemptions?
Blue Badge holders can apply for an exemption on the Tyne Tunnels’ website.
Those with an exemption must stop at an inspection lane for each way of travel. If not, they’ll have to pay the toll.
Will I get fined if I don’t pay for Tyne Tunnels?
If you don’t pay the toll charge by midnight the day after you use the tunnel you’ll be fined £30, plus the original toll fee.
If you don’t pay the fine within 14 days, it doubles to £60. If you still don’t pay within 28 days, you’ll face a £100 fine.
Tyne Tunnels works with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to send an Unpaid Toll Charge Notice (UTCN) in the post.
Can I still pay in cash for the crossing?
No, cash payments have stopped being accepted. Caura is the quickest way to pay - its 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.