Dart Charge — wrong vehicle type or exempt vehicle
The Dart Charge scheme puts vehicles into different groups — motorcycles are free; cars and vans up to 3,500kg are one charge band; two-axle lorries and buses are another; larger multi-axle heavy lorries are another. Some vehicles are completely exempt, including emergency vehicles, recovery vehicles attending a breakdown or incident on the crossing, and certain military and agricultural vehicles. If the penalty charge notice (PCN) has put your vehicle in the wrong group, or has charged an exempt vehicle, the PCN may be wrong.
Legal basis
Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Charging Scheme Order 2013 (SI 2013/2249) Schedule (charges and exemptions); Transport Act 2000 s.169; Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (vehicle classification)
How to identify this in your case
V5C confirms vehicle class and weight. Check the PCN-charged class against actual class. Confirm any exemption (emergency dispatch records, recovery operator reports).
Sample appeal wording
Dear Sir/Madam, Re: Dart Charge PCN [NUMBER] — Vehicle [REG] — [DATE] I challenge this PCN. The charging classification / exemption status is wrong. Vehicle: [REG], [Make/Model/Tax Class per V5C] Unladen weight: [kg] Charging class per V5C and Scheme Order: [Class A motorcycle / Class B car ≤3500kg / etc.] Class the PCN applies: [as per PCN] [OR: My vehicle was exempt because operating as a recovery vehicle attending [incident]; evidence attached.] Under the Dartford-Thurrock Crossing Charging Scheme Order 2013, the charge applicable to my vehicle is £[X], not £[Y] as charged. The PCN is wrongly issued. Please correct the classification or cancel the PCN. Yours faithfully, [NAME]
Replace [PARKING DATE], [NtK DATE] etc. with your own dates before sending.
Beat It writes this argument automatically
Scan your PCN — our AI checks if this ground applies to your specific ticket, drafts a properly-cited appeal letter, and submits it to the council on your behalf. Only pay if you win.
Scan my ticket