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Post by hal on Nov 15, 2022 9:44:36 GMT 1
I am pretty sure that I have never used the Dartford Tunnel as I never really drive east of central London.
Imagine my surprise in getting a notice, in French, headed 'Dart Charge, Amende - ne pas ignorer' this morning! It has a nice picture of my car on an empty road (it was the day of the Queen's funeral!), but no speed is attributed to the fine. Then I read a bit closer and it dawned on me that it is a toll charge - ...ci-dessus sur l'A282 au niveau du dartford - Thurrock Crossing...
OK, I did not even know one had to pay to use the M25 and I do not remember seeing any signs that I had to pay - mind you, it was a lovely day and absolutely zero traffic, so not surprised as I spent my time admiring the ugliness that is outer London!
This letter is asking me to pay an organisation in Germany - Euro Parking Collection!
Question - is this fine enforceable in France? Is it best to pay in case I will be nabbed next time?
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Post by Polarengineer on Nov 15, 2022 9:59:04 GMT 1
You used the crossing, why should you not pay?
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Post by hal on Nov 15, 2022 10:24:10 GMT 1
Oh crummy. I overlooked the moral police bit.
Happy to pay if asked at the time in a recogniseable fashion as they do in Europe, and not on a letter nearly two months after the event demanding a fine for something I knew nothing about. OK?
Listen - forget the question. This goddam forum! You ask a question and get everything but a succinct answer.
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Post by ajm on Nov 15, 2022 10:39:08 GMT 1
How much?
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suein56
Member
Southern Morbihan 56 Brittany
Posts: 7,467
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Post by suein56 on Nov 15, 2022 11:08:46 GMT 1
Oh crummy. I overlooked the moral police bit. Happy to pay if asked at the time in a recogniseable fashion as they do in Europe, and not on a letter nearly two months after the event demanding a fine for something I knew nothing about. OK? Listen - forget the question. This goddam forum! You ask a question and get everything but a succinct answer.I thought all forums were like that
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suein56
Member
Southern Morbihan 56 Brittany
Posts: 7,467
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Post by suein56 on Nov 15, 2022 11:15:12 GMT 1
From their info : How do I know if I have to pay the Dartford Crossing charge?
You must pay the charge if you use the Dartford Crossing between 6am and 10pm. Charges apply every day - including weekends and bank holidays. How much you pay to cross depends on the type of vehicle you're driving and if you already have an account. Drivers using the Dartford Crossing need to pay the Dart Charge in advance or by midnight the day after crossing. Pay online or by phone, post or at retail outlets. It is still free to use the crossing 22:00 to 06:00.
The Dartford crossing – known as the Dartford tunnel until 1991 – is a major road crossing of the river Thames. It carries the A282 between Dartford to the south and Thurrock in the north.
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Post by cernunnos on Nov 15, 2022 11:54:00 GMT 1
Oh crummy. I overlooked the moral police bit. Happy to pay if asked at the time in a recogniseable fashion as they do in Europe, and not on a letter nearly two months after the event demanding a fine for something I knew nothing about. OK? Listen - forget the question. This goddam forum! You ask a question and get everything but a succinct answer. Not all posters are pissing from the moral high ground ! Two months after the event is not bad really .
Perhaps there are those on the forum that travel that route frequently , that could shed some light on how it works ? Woops , looks like Sue has already done that !
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suein56
Member
Southern Morbihan 56 Brittany
Posts: 7,467
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Post by suein56 on Nov 15, 2022 12:12:25 GMT 1
Oh crummy. I overlooked the moral police bit. Happy to pay if asked at the time in a recogniseable fashion as they do in Europe, and not on a letter nearly two months after the event demanding a fine for something I knew nothing about. OK? Listen - forget the question. This goddam forum! You ask a question and get everything but a succinct answer. Not all posters are pissing from the moral high ground ! Two months after the event is not bad really .
Perhaps there are those on the forum that travel that route frequently , that could shed some light on how it works ? Woops , looks like Sue has already done that !
It looks like Hal goes back to the UK in his own car from time to time and that his lack of paying the Dartford Charge has been noticed and he has been tracked down to his country of residence. I have no idea of the legal situation, if there is one for this situation, but it strikes me that lack of paying the charge now might, just might, make a future trip to the UK involving a car potentially awkward. Research might need to be done.
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Nifty
Member
Posts: 4,968
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Post by Nifty on Nov 15, 2022 12:22:39 GMT 1
Oh crummy. I overlooked the moral police bit. Happy to pay if asked at the time in a recogniseable fashion as they do in Europe, and not on a letter nearly two months after the event demanding a fine for something I knew nothing about. OK? Listen - forget the question. This goddam forum! You ask a question and get everything but a succinct answer. Not all posters are pissing from the moral high ground ! Two months after the event is not bad really .
Perhaps there are those on the forum that travel that route frequently , that could shed some light on how it works ? Woops , looks like Sue has already done that !
How many more times…
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exile
Member
Massif Central
Posts: 2,680
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Post by exile on Nov 15, 2022 12:34:08 GMT 1
Contrary to popular opinion; the Dartford Crossing is owned by the UK Government.
As such, while they may choose to not pursue a debt in the EU, don't even think about going back to the UK if you have not paid.
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Post by crabtree on Nov 15, 2022 12:49:08 GMT 1
I am pretty sure that I have never used the Dartford Tunnel as I never really drive east of central London. Imagine my surprise in getting a notice, in French, headed 'Dart Charge, Amende - ne pas ignorer' this morning! It has a nice picture of my car on an empty road (it was the day of the Queen's funeral!), but no speed is attributed to the fine. Then I read a bit closer and it dawned on me that it is a toll charge - ...ci-dessus sur l'A282 au niveau du dartford - Thurrock Crossing...OK, I did not even know one had to pay to use the M25 and I do not remember seeing any signs that I had to pay - mind you, it was a lovely day and absolutely zero traffic, so not surprised as I spent my time admiring the ugliness that is outer London! This letter is asking me to pay an organisation in Germany - Euro Parking Collection! Question - is this fine enforceable in France? Is it best to pay in case I will be nabbed next time? I am from that neck of the woods originally, and that bit of road (or should I say tunnel and bridge) has always been a toll road. Although it was originally built on the premise (promise?) that once it's building costs were repaid there would no longer be a toll. That was in 2003, but the toll has never been removed, except for using it overnight (10pm-6am).
This link tells you all you need know: link
This is a photo of the many signs as you approach the crossing.
Anyway, unless you crossed between 10pm and 6am, you have to pay.
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Post by beejay on Nov 15, 2022 12:58:51 GMT 1
I am pretty sure that I have never used the Dartford Tunnel as I never really drive east of central London. Imagine my surprise in getting a notice, in French, headed 'Dart Charge, Amende - ne pas ignorer' this morning! It has a nice picture of my car on an empty road (it was the day of the Queen's funeral!), but no speed is attributed to the fine. Then I read a bit closer and it dawned on me that it is a toll charge - ...ci-dessus sur l'A282 au niveau du dartford - Thurrock Crossing...OK, I did not even know one had to pay to use the M25 and I do not remember seeing any signs that I had to pay - mind you, it was a lovely day and absolutely zero traffic, so not surprised as I spent my time admiring the ugliness that is outer London! This letter is asking me to pay an organisation in Germany - Euro Parking Collection! Question - is this fine enforceable in France? Is it best to pay in case I will be nabbed next time? I am from that neck of the woods originally, and that bit of road (or should I say tunnel and bridge) has always been a toll road. Although it was originally built on the premise (promise?) that once it's building costs were repaid there would no longer be a toll. That was in 2003, but the toll has never been removed, except for using it overnight (10pm-6am).
This link tells you all you need know: link
of one the many signs as you approach the crossing.
Anyway, unless you crossed between 10pm and 6am, you have to pay.
It's no longer a toll charge it's a Congestion Charge.
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Post by crabtree on Nov 15, 2022 13:22:47 GMT 1
OK, pedantic, but it (technically) makes no difference to my post.
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Post by beejay on Nov 15, 2022 13:31:18 GMT 1
I am pretty sure that I have never used the Dartford Tunnel as I never really drive east of central London. Imagine my surprise in getting a notice, in French, headed 'Dart Charge, Amende - ne pas ignorer' this morning! It has a nice picture of my car on an empty road (it was the day of the Queen's funeral!), but no speed is attributed to the fine. Then I read a bit closer and it dawned on me that it is a toll charge - ...ci-dessus sur l'A282 au niveau du dartford - Thurrock Crossing...OK, I did not even know one had to pay to use the M25 and I do not remember seeing any signs that I had to pay - mind you, it was a lovely day and absolutely zero traffic, so not surprised as I spent my time admiring the ugliness that is outer London! This letter is asking me to pay an organisation in Germany - Euro Parking Collection! Question - is this fine enforceable in France? Is it best to pay in case I will be nabbed next time?
It's hard to believe that you can't remember using the Dart Crossing (which is the A282 not the M25) as it a very large bridge or long tunnel!.
Dart Charge has a good record of tolerance to forgetful travellers but it's too late on this occasion.
If it's French registered the Dart charge is operated by a UK subsidiary of a French toll operator which may account for the trace.
To answer the question the debt collection company cannot take action in France. They operate for a number of toll operators in Europe trying to recover the outstanding debts.
If it's a UK registered car and you have not seen previous paperwork it may be worth checking your credit record for any county court entry!
Regulations for Dart crossing and others HERE
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Post by Polarengineer on Nov 15, 2022 13:42:24 GMT 1
I am pretty sure that I have never used the Dartford Tunnel as I never really drive east of central London. Imagine my surprise in getting a notice, in French, headed 'Dart Charge, Amende - ne pas ignorer' this morning! It has a nice picture of my car on an empty road (it was the day of the Queen's funeral!), but no speed is attributed to the fine. Then I read a bit closer and it dawned on me that it is a toll charge - ...ci-dessus sur l'A282 au niveau du dartford - Thurrock Crossing...OK, I did not even know one had to pay to use the M25 and I do not remember seeing any signs that I had to pay - mind you, it was a lovely day and absolutely zero traffic, so not surprised as I spent my time admiring the ugliness that is outer London! This letter is asking me to pay an organisation in Germany - Euro Parking Collection! Question - is this fine enforceable in France? Is it best to pay in case I will be nabbed next time? When I read your OP it starts that "am pretty sure that I have never used the Dartford Tunnel as I never really drive east of central London." and then confirm that there is a picture of your car in the demand. How can you miss a bloody great hole under the thames that you must have driven through (or bridge you whent over)? You saw no signs of a toll? Perhaps you are now too used to driving through the windy country lanes of France, looking at the countryside and not having to pay much attention to the road.
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