GeriatricWanderer
Free Member
- Feb 1, 2015
- 1,194
- 4,199
- Funster No
- 34,964
- MH
- Pop-Top Campervan
- Exp
- 45years
Not sure if this has been raised before but here goes anyway:
I have a Dart Charge account though an infrequent user.
My account is in credit.
Some time ago I added a friend's car to my account - perfectly legitimate.
Last weekend my friend used the crossing and knowing his car was on my account and that my account was in credit, assumed the £1.67 would be taken from my account.
Today he received a Penalty Notice for not paying the charge in time.
I contacted Dart Charge to ask why they didn't take the charge from my account.
This is their reply:
After looking into this matter, I can inform you that the crossing in question have been recognised outside of the account, as your Dart Charge account is currently classed as inactive.
The status of your account changed to this on 01/12/2015, following 12 months of inactivity, as per clause 10 of the Terms and Conditions:
‘If you do not use your Account for a period of more than 12 consecutive months then we will write to you to inform you of your non-use (the Non-use Letter) and if you do not recommence using the Account within 30 days of the date of the Non-use Letter, we may close your Account and cancel any Tag linked to your Account.’
As a result, payment will need to be made against the vehicle registration, as the Road User Charge will not be taken from your account balance.
Furthermore, as you have not paid by the midnight the following day deadline, you must wait to receive your Penalty Charge Notice before you make any payment.
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OK – so I didn’t read or remember the small print and nor did I receive a Non-use Letter – but, in trying to help a friend it’s going to cost me £35.
So…… if you have an account and don’t cross very often – check before you do.
I have a Dart Charge account though an infrequent user.
My account is in credit.
Some time ago I added a friend's car to my account - perfectly legitimate.
Last weekend my friend used the crossing and knowing his car was on my account and that my account was in credit, assumed the £1.67 would be taken from my account.
Today he received a Penalty Notice for not paying the charge in time.
I contacted Dart Charge to ask why they didn't take the charge from my account.
This is their reply:
After looking into this matter, I can inform you that the crossing in question have been recognised outside of the account, as your Dart Charge account is currently classed as inactive.
The status of your account changed to this on 01/12/2015, following 12 months of inactivity, as per clause 10 of the Terms and Conditions:
‘If you do not use your Account for a period of more than 12 consecutive months then we will write to you to inform you of your non-use (the Non-use Letter) and if you do not recommence using the Account within 30 days of the date of the Non-use Letter, we may close your Account and cancel any Tag linked to your Account.’
As a result, payment will need to be made against the vehicle registration, as the Road User Charge will not be taken from your account balance.
Furthermore, as you have not paid by the midnight the following day deadline, you must wait to receive your Penalty Charge Notice before you make any payment.
---------------------------
OK – so I didn’t read or remember the small print and nor did I receive a Non-use Letter – but, in trying to help a friend it’s going to cost me £35.
So…… if you have an account and don’t cross very often – check before you do.