The Dartford Crossing has reported its largest-ever revenue year, collecting £189.2 million in 2025, an increase of £50 million from the previous year. This record income follows a significant 40% hike in tolls for car drivers, raising the fee from £2.50 to £3.50. Charges for buses and HGVs also saw increases in September 2025, with larger vehicles now paying £8.20 and smaller ones £4.20.
Critics argue that the increased fees constitute "ripping motorists off," especially as tolls were initially intended to be removed once the crossing was paid for. Edmund King, president of the AA, called the continued charges "an outrage," noting that similar tolls in other parts of the UK have been abolished. He pointed out that drivers often have no alternative but to use the crossing, suggesting that governments have found the revenue too lucrative to forgo.
Despite promises made by Conservative governments in the 1980s and 1990s to remove tolls after the crossing's construction costs were covered, they remain in place. The Department for Transport (DfT) defended the increase, stating that the new charges were "significantly lower than if they had increased in line with inflation since the tariff was last fully revised in 2014." A DfT spokesperson added that "every penny of Dart Charge revenue is reinvested in transport projects" and that the increase was necessary to manage demand and ensure the crossing's smooth operation, as it now handles traffic levels well in excess of its original design capacity.
However, motorists have also lost substantial amounts through unused pre-paid Dart Charge payments. In the 2023-24 financial year, £1,812,379 in pre-paid amounts expired without use, followed by another £1,790,559 in the subsequent financial year. National Highways stated that these payments remain valid for 12 months, after which they expire. The DfT absorbs these expired pre-paid deposits, as they are generally not refunded.
Motorists who forget to pay the Dart Charge by midnight on the day after crossing face a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £70, which reduces to £35 if paid within 14 days, or increases to £105 if not paid within 28 days. Reports from January indicated that motorists had lost over £3.6 million in unused Dart Charge payments over the preceding two years.