Hi all,

I received a PCN today from Dart Charge.

I don't dispute the charge as I did use the tunnel (both ways), but, forgot to go online to pay!

I go online to make the payment,

fill in everything they ask for,

press continue,

and it tells me that £5 has been accepted and I'll receive a receipt later.

The PCN clearly states £35 or £70 for late payment,

The £5 is, I believe, the actual charge for using the crossing.

I decide to use the telephone number they provide, and speak to an agent.

Explain what I've done and how I couldn't actually pay the full amount.

He tells me that that is all I have to pay because I haven't used the crossing before, and it was just a reminder to pay!

It clearly states that,

"in addition to the penalty charge you must also pay the applicable Road user charge of £2.50".

I can't help thinking that I'll receive another PCN in 28 days,

telling me that my fine has increased to £70 for failing to pay within the 14 days!

The contravention date was the 3/12/17.

The issue date is 14/12/17.

Would they really send out a PCN,

without expecting full payment?

Do you think I should try and contact them again after I receive the receipt for my £5?

Any thoughts would be gratefully received.

If you think it's wrong then appeal. But remember you lose the discount if they find against you.

Thanks Renegade, no, I don't think it's wrong,

I can't understand why they would send a PCN,

when a reminder to pay would be sufficient.

Having used the crossing,

one has until midnight the following day to make the payment.

Due to a lapse in memory,

I didn't conform,

and accepted that I would have to pay the penalty!

However,

what I don't want is that penalty to be doubled because I failed to respond within the 14 days.

I just wonder if any one else has been in the same predicament?

Regards,

BJT.

if the reminder was dated 14th

then its 14 days from THEN before it increases to £70

you paid £2.50 each way =£5

you are finished

Thanks DX,

I do understand what your saying, "if it was a reminder", but, that's the point, it wasn't a reminder, it was a PCN telling me that I had 14 days from the date of the letter to pay £35 plus the cost of using the crossing i.e. £5.

Their website didn't indicate anywhere that I would only have to pay the crossing fee within the 14 days.

As already stated, you have until midnight the next day to pay the crossing charge, after that, you are in default, hence, £35.

I've received the receipt now (online) and it clearly states Payment Type - Credit.

Card Type - Visa. Type - Purchase.

To me, this would indicate that all I've paid is the actuall fee, not the fine!

Oh well, I'll just sit on this and wait, and if I get the notification that my fine is now increased to £70, then, at least I have my receipt to show that I tried to pay, when I appeal.

Thanks again,

BJT.

no you've no read the website correctly

it says:

First-time ‘offenders’ will be given a 14-day grace period when the charge notice is sent out. This allows them to pay the original charge rather than the full fine.

Hi all,

I go online to make the payment,

fill in everything they ask for,

press continue,

and it tells me that £5 has been accepted and I'll receive a receipt later.

You only had until midnight the day after the crossing to pay the fee, if you were later than that, the payment is held as a credit for future crossings and not accepted for that earlier crossing.

Doh!!! Thanks Dx. Your quite right, I didn't read the website! Just went straight to the payment section!

That's good, I can order a takeaway curry now to celebrate! Lol.

Thanks again,

BJT.

The contravention date was the 3/12/17. +14 = 17

paid within the newbie grace period

and infact its even better than that

you get 14 days from the date of the PCN if you are a 1st time user

You only had until midnight the day after the crossing to pay the fee, if you were later than that, the payment is held as a credit for future crossings and not accepted for that earlier crossing.

Thanks for that. So, I've paid for a crossing that might never take place! And, presumably, by what you say, I'm still liable for the original transgression?

Cheers, BJT.

no

you have the payment ref number

simply type it in and it will tell you what its related too.

Thank you all for your replies.

I really appreciate your help, and the speed of your responses!

Wishing you all a good xmas and a happy new year.

Regards,

BJT.

Just a quick update.

I phoned them just now,

to see if I still owed them,

was told that the £5 was all I needed to pay as this was my first time!

(Thanks DX).

So, that's two confirmations from them.

I'm happy now.

Thanks again for your help.

Regards,

BJT.

Sorry to keep on about this, but, this will be the last post on this subject.

Today I received another letter from Dart Charge, with a heading, WARNING LETTER.

It goes on to say,

"Maybe you didn't know about the Dart Charge scheme or simply forgot to pay?

If you pay your outstanding crossing charge(s) by 28/12/2017-

- we'll cancel this penalty charge notice".

We only offer this option on your first penalty charge--so, be sure to pay in the future!

I still can't understand why I got a PCN first?

Surely the Warning Letter should have been sent out first?

The mind boggles!

Thanks again.

BJT.

the charge must have a ref number

check that number against the payment you made