Dartford Crossing charge but vehicle is registered as disabled class (free UK tax).

LouR

The vehicle has been registered as disabled for 3 months now and I have the updated V5. Made two crossings and decided to check the Dart Charge Gov website to see if anything was owed in which they wanted money for the crossings. I phoned Dart Charge only to be told I need to speak with DVLA and until then I'll be charged.

I spoke with DVLA and they said it's not their problem and to "call Dart Charge".

Going round in circles here. It clearly states on the Gov website:

You do not need to pay if you:
get free UK vehicle tax because of a disability (your vehicle will be checked automatically when you cross)

Would it be wise to just pay for the crossings? If so would there be any chance of a refund? I really can't handle a penalty charge.

la531983

The penalty charges would clearly be cancelled if you appealed them, I really wouldnt worry about it.

LouR

la531983 said:

The penalty charges would clearly be cancelled if you appealed them, I really wouldnt worry about it.

I'm hoping so but wasn't sure if maybe I've missed something and not actually exempt or perhaps I was at fault for not telling Dart Charge that I should be exempt prior to the crossings.. I have free UK tax and my vehicle log book clearly says "DISABLED".

la531983

LouR said:

la531983 said:

The penalty charges would clearly be cancelled if you appealed them, I really wouldnt worry about it.

I'm hoping so but wasn't sure if maybe I've missed something and not actually exempt or perhaps I was at fault for not telling Dart Charge that I should be exempt prior to the crossings.. I have free UK tax and my vehicle log book clearly says "DISABLED".

The website does say you are exempt, I can sanity check you there

https://www.gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge#:~:text=You usually need to pay,checked automatically when you cross)

How I read that page is that the DVLA will tell them you are exempt, you dont have to do that.

LouR

DVLA response:

We provide Dartford with updated vehicle information every 3 months. If an amendment has recently been made to the vehicle tax class they may not have this updated information yet. Any disputes around payment need to be dealt with via Dartford Crossing as this is not something we hold information on.

la531983

In which case you may want to just pay the crossing fee on this occasion, I have no idea how the Adjudicator would view this 3 month time lag between the DVLA and the crossing firm.

LouR

Does anyone have experience with this? They say it's free crossing for disabled class but no mention of needing to wait for DVLA to update them.

GrumpyDil

I would email that information from the DVLA to Dartford charge and ask them how they want to manage that situation as you exempt but their system may not have been updated yet. 

Bigwheels1111

I had this in January 2017, logbook arrived on the 05/01/17 marked as disabled.
I crossed on the 14/01/17 and did not even think about.
A week later I got a fine.
I called and asked why, that’s when they told me it’s not updated for 3 months.
I said I will email proof and if that did not work as an appeal I would love a day trip to court and a day out.
Plus an ambulance and carers to help look after me, plus hotel rooms.
Good luck clamping or towing a disabled vehicle with a blue badge in the screen.
Near on 7 year now and never been heard of again.
I am a belligerent !!!!!! and would never give in when I’m right.