Dart Charge paid but not recorded

imbigron

I recently used the Dartford Crossing for the first time to drive to Stansted, then flew off abroad for a few days. I forgot to pack my phone charger and so the battery died on my phone, and I was unable to pay for the crossing. 3 days later I flew back, and did the return journey. At the first opportunity I paid £5 to cover both journeys, and perhaps naively thought they would have a record of my vehicle registration number and would link the two crossings together. Today I received a Penalty Charge Notice informing me that they have no record of my first crossing. I have disputed this, and provided the receipt showing that £5 was debited. I hope that they have a modicum of intelligence and would understand that I would not pay £5 for a single journey, so it was obvious I was trying to pay for both journeys. I appreciate that I was late paying the first journey, but that was a total accident, and certainly not intentional. The "representation" as they call it said it will take 56 days for a decision, but my dilemma is I need to pay the amount they say is outstanding within 14 days, or they will impose a £35 fine. So do I just pay the fee again, and hope they then reimburse me, or do I hold out till they make their decision but run the risk of a fine for £35 rising to £70. I think I will just pay the fee, but what are the chances of getting the £2.50 back? I know £2.50 is a trivial amount, but it is more about the principle of it.

Roland_Sausage

Just pay the £2.50 and move on with your life. It’s not worth the time and effort pursuing. You broke the rules and if it only costs you £2.50 then you got off lightly.

Aylesbury_Duck

Just pay it. It’s easy to say they should have a “modicum of intelligence” and second-guess your intentions. I could say the same about you forgetting your phone charger and not making any attempt to buy a charger at the airport or wherever you travelled to, or indeed to find somewhere you could get online briefly to pay. It sounds like an excuse anyone can trot out to excuse not paying and I expect they’ve heard so many like that they’re probably quite cynical.

If £2.50 is all you have to pay then I don’t see the problem. You used the facility and through your own fault, didn’t pay in time, so a £2.50 “penalty” is a good deal.

VFR

My understanding is .......
When you paid the £5.00 that covered the return crossing and then left you with 2.50 in credit, it did not automatically cover the outward crossing.
As others have said pay the 2.50 and you will still be 2.50 in credit.


I had the same as you but simply forgot, called them and they allowed me to pay there and then via card.

Scrapit

You should be fined.