Dartford crossing.. save money put seats in the back

[Allan]

If you have seats in the back of your van and your going through the crossing. its only a pound as its classed as a car

[mikke]

Really. wont they have to get out their box and look everytime though.
sounds crazy

[Luke]

dont you need windows too

[Allan]

Sometimes they have a look but most of the times they dont bother. in our old orange transit we just bolted some seats from another van in the back. no seat belts. no windows and it was ok. is the same for motorhomes as well.

[Gavin]

if you look on their website this is actually the case. trouble is half the operators dont know or dont care, or possibly they see you approaching and click you in as a van, then dont want to cancel it and give you the right tarrif.

answer is print the page of their website and keep it in the van.

i had a spare pair of seats sitting loose in the back every time i went over

[sc_BK]

Would it not be easier just to abolish the tolls?

[Allan]

Would it not be easier just to abolish the tolls?

A sensible idea??? no not this government

[mikke]

They make too much ££££££
id like a days takings from there

[jay]

does that include spec lifts with 5 passenger seats then??

[mikke]

Always wondered that. what do they charge recovery trucks?
slightly of topic but when i had my truck and i bought the tax.
i had to fill in a form that stated it was a recovery vehicle.
nobody looked at it . the woman in the post office
said she had to take my word it was a recovery truck
and my tax was about £100 .
i was thinking. transit van is for bike recovery now. so ramps in the back.
or if need be hydraulic ramp on the back.
classed as a lift/crane then so can bypass the lez
and mot.
so 24hr stickers up it.
cheap tax and mot exempt

[MrMPuk]

It's not the government as the bridge is privately owned and operated.

[CG_Maintenance]

Would it not be easier just to abolish the tolls?

I wish least they get it cheaper than us welsh

[AlanN]

Would it not be easier just to abolish the tolls?

I wish least they get it cheaper than us welsh

What you talkin about, its free to get out

The prices have just gone up and its free at night.... plus its run by a french firm

[jay]

Always wondered that. what do they charge recovery trucks?
slightly of topic but when i had my truck and i bought the tax.
i had to fill in a form that stated it was a recovery vehicle.
nobody looked at it . the woman in the post office
said she had to take my word it was a recovery truck
and my tax was about £100 .
i was thinking. transit van is for bike recovery now. so ramps in the back.
or if need be hydraulic ramp on the back.
classed as a lift/crane then so can bypass the lez
and mot.
so 24hr stickers up it.
cheap tax and mot exempt

only be mot exempt if over 3500kgs if stopped by vosa they can and do take the vehicles off you.they can just pg9 it if they dont take the vehicle....recovery wasnt cc charge but i think thats changed now.....mine is lez complient its got a petrol engine on the v5c..

[Gavin]

FYI these are the regs relating to the crossing.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2002/20021040.htm

explanation of the vehicle classes here

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2001/20012793.htm


read parts IV and V

if its got less than 8 seats, its classed for charging purposes as a car, unless used for carrying goods. no requirement for windows in the back, its all on the number of seats. if its used for carrying goods you pay the higher fee. its very black and white - but by the letter of it if youve only got 1 seat in addition to the drivers seat and its not used for carrying goods, you should pay the lower fee. arguing that might prove difficult if youve got bare metal sides and floor and you simply claim you dont carry goods, but if youve got carpet and leisure van stuff or day van stuff or camper stuff fitted you'll be ok.

latest crossing charges

http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/docume ... nov_08.pdf