Dart Charge and Bailiffs

The most frequent enquiry that we receive via our helpline or  Enquiry Form concerns an unpaid Dart Charge and bailiffs enforcement. Because of the significant numbers of enquiries that we receive, we have introduced this page to our website.

I only became aware of the Dart Charge Penalty when I was contacted by a bailiff.

If you have received a telephone call, a text message, a letter, or a visit from Marston Recovery, CDER Group or Bristow & Sutor in relation to a Dart Charge  that you hadn’t known about, (most commonly, because all notices had been sent to a previous address) then all bailiff enforcement will be temporarily suspended by submitting an Out of Time Witness Statement (TE7 and TE9) and sending it to the Traffic Enforcement Centre (TEC).

We have an entire page dedicated to  Dart Charges Out of Time Witness Statements here.

I have multiple Dart Charges

We receive many enquiries from motorists who have multiple Dart Charge Penalty Charge Notices. Very often, the amount owing can run into thousands of pounds. There can be many reasons why a motorist had been unaware that Dart Charge penalties had been incurred. For example;

  • You may have moved address and failed to update your V5C (Log Book) with DVLA when you moved address. Accordingly, all notices would have been sent to your previous address.
  • Your Dart Charge account may have been closed because there had been insufficient funds available in the account when a crossing had been made.
  • The Dart Charge account may have been closed because the registered bank card had expired.
  • The V5C (Log Book) may have been retained by a finance/leasing company. If so, all notices from National Highways would have gone to this company. If you move address, you must inform the finance company.

How much will I have to pay if a bailiff is instructed?

A warrant of control in relation to an unpaid Dart Charge will be enforced by one of three enforcement companies; Marston Recovery, CDER Group or Bristowe & Sutor. Legislation only provides for the enforcement company to send one letter entitled Notice of Enforcement. In most cases, the amount requested will be £190.50 to include  the enforcement companies ‘compliance fee’ of £75. If you had used the Dartford Crossing for a return journey you should receive two separate Notice of Enforcements. The total amount payable would usually be  £380.  If you fail to make payment within the time specified in the Notice of Enforcement, a bailiff will make a personal visit.

At the time of the visit, the amount payable increases significantly to £425.50 to include the bailiff companies enforcement fee of £235.  It is important to stress that if you have more than one Dart Charge PCN, the enforcement company may only charge one ‘enforcement fee’. He cannot charge multiple fees. If your vehicle is outside of your property, it is likely to be clamped or worse still, removed. A removal fee of £110 plus additional storage costs will also become payable.

 

Commentary from Bailiff Advice Online

If you have any queries regarding a Dart Charge that you had not known about or you have received correspondence (or a visit) from either Marston Recovery, CDER Group  or Bristow & Sutor, you can email a question to us using our online Enquiry Form.  Alternatively, you can contact our free Bailiff Support Line.