Drivers have forfeited over £3.6 million in unused Dart Charge payments over the past two years, with the majority of these funds being retained by the Government. A recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request uncovered £1,812,379 in unused Dart Charge payments in the 2023/24 fiscal year, in addition to £1,790,559 from the previous year, totaling £3,602,938 in unclaimed payments.
According to the Department for Transport (DfT), the majority of these expired payments are not refunded and are consequently retained by the Government. Dart Charge payments, which amount to £3.50 each way and are utilized by drivers crossing the Dartford Crossing between Essex and Kent, are valid for 12 months before expiring.
Drivers do have the option to request a refund for Dart Charges within the 12-month expiration window. For individuals with dormant Dart Charge accounts, any remaining funds are reimbursed back to the account holder using the original payment information.
The Dartford Crossing sees up to 180,000 vehicles passing through each day. The DfT stated that all Dart Charge revenue is channeled to the DfT and is allocated towards transportation projects benefiting communities in Essex and Kent, such as the Lower Thames Crossing.
The Government raised the Dart Charge in September 2025, marking the first increase since 2014. This move coincides with the approval for the Lower Thames Crossing, aimed at alleviating congestion at the Dartford Crossing. The new crossing will link the A2 and M2 in Kent to the A13 and M25 in Essex through a 2.6-mile tunnel beneath the Thames, set to be the longest road tunnel in the UK.
Project work on the Lower Thames Crossing commenced in 2009, with over £800 million of taxpayer money being invested in planning efforts.