Thurrock resident Dart Charge discount
Thurrock Council residents in RM16, RM17, RM18, RM19 or RM20 can buy an annual Dart Charge pass for £25 (unlimited) or £12.50 (50 crossings). The pass attaches to one specific vehicle on a Dart Charge account and beats both pay-as-you-go and pre-pay for any crosser who uses the bridge or tunnels regularly.
Unlimited tier
£25/yr
Any number of crossings. Pays for itself after 9 car crossings at pre-pay rate. The default choice for most regular crossers.
50-crossing tier
£12.50/yr
25p per crossing capped at 50 a year. Only worth it if you cross monthly but not weekly. Most people use up the 50 quickly.
Eligible RM postcodes
The Thurrock resident pass is administered through Thurrock Council. Eligibility is restricted to addresses inside the Borough, which covers a tight band of postcodes north of the Thames between Tilbury and West Thurrock.
Eligible
- RM16: Chafford Hundred, Aveley, Ockendon
- RM17: Grays
- RM18: Tilbury
- RM19: Purfleet, West Thurrock
- RM20: South Stifford, Grays west
- SS17: Stanford-le-Hope, Corringham (Thurrock side)
Not eligible (despite RM prefix)
- RM1, RM2, RM3, RM5, RM7: Romford (Havering)
- RM4: Havering-atte-Bower
- RM6: Chadwell Heath (Barking and Dagenham)
- RM8, RM9, RM10: Dagenham
- RM11, RM12: Hornchurch (Havering)
- RM13: Rainham (Havering)
- RM14: Upminster
- RM15: Aveley, South Ockendon (split with Thurrock)
Some RM15 addresses fall in Thurrock. Application checks against Thurrock Council records.
Documents required
- Council Tax bill or utility bill. Dated within the last 3 months and showing your name and the RM16-RM20 address. Thurrock Council bills are the simplest, but any utility (gas, electricity, water, broadband) also works.
- V5C log book. The vehicle's registration document showing the keeper's address matching the bill. The vehicle must be registered at your Thurrock address; if you've recently moved, update with DVLA first.
- Photo ID. Driving licence (photocard) or passport, matching the name on the V5C and the bill.
- Payment. £25 unlimited or £12.50 for the 50-crossing tier. Debit or credit card.
What the Thurrock pass does and doesn't do
- Covers any 24/7 crossing in either direction (tunnels northbound, bridge southbound), including peak and weekend.
- Covers one vehicle only. Multiple vehicles need multiple passes, but no household-level limit applies.
- Does not cover Class C or D. Vans over 3.5t and multi-axle HGVs pay the standard PAYG or pre-pay rate.
- Does not extend to family members at different addresses. Each adult applies separately for their own vehicle at their own address.
- Does not include the Lower Thames Crossing when it opens. The LTC will have its own pricing; no resident-pass equivalent has been announced.
Annual cost comparison for a Thurrock resident
The unlimited £25 pass beats pre-pay (£2.80 / crossing) at any volume above 9 crossings a year. Beats PAYG (£3.50) at any volume above 8 crossings a year.
| Crossings / year | PAYG £3.50 | Pre-pay £2.80 | 50-tier @ £12.50 | Unlimited @ £25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 (monthly) | £42 | £33.60 | £12.50 | £25 |
| 26 (fortnightly) | £91 | £72.80 | £12.50 | £25 |
| 52 (weekly) | £182 | £145.60 | exceeds 50 cap | £25 |
| 104 (twice a week) | £364 | £291.20 | exceeds 50 cap | £25 |
| 500 (daily commute) | £1,750 | £1,400 | exceeds 50 cap | £25 |
Related guides
Dartford resident pass
DA postcodes, same £25/yr.
Both schemes side-by-side
Combined resident discount hub.
Pre-pay account
£2.80 / crossing if not eligible.
Daily commuter cost
Annual savings if you cross daily.
M25 J31 (Thurrock side)
Your local approach to the crossing.
Full 2026 price list
Every class, every method.
Thurrock resident questions
Who qualifies for the Thurrock resident discount?+
Adults living in RM16, RM17, RM18, RM19 or RM20 postcodes within Thurrock Council's area, with a vehicle registered to that address. Proof of residence and the vehicle V5C log book are both required at application.
How much is the Thurrock resident pass in 2026?+
£25 for unlimited crossings or £12.50 for up to 50 crossings a year. Both tiers attach to one specific vehicle. The price was £20/£10 before the September 2025 increase.
Are RM postcodes outside Thurrock eligible?+
No. Several RM postcodes are within the London Borough of Havering, not Thurrock. RM1 to RM15 (Romford, Hornchurch, Upminster, Rainham) are Havering. RM16 onward are Thurrock. The application is checked against Thurrock Council records.
Can two cars in the same household both have the pass?+
Yes. Each pass attaches to one vehicle, and there's no household limit. A two-car household where both cars need the crossing can buy two passes for £50 a year combined. Both still need separate V5C log books and separate applications, but the proof of address (Council Tax bill, etc) can be the same.
Does the Thurrock pass cover Class C or D vehicles?+
No. The resident pass is for Class A and Class B only: cars, vans under 3.5t, motorhomes under 3.5t, minibuses with 9 or fewer seats, and motorcycles (which are already free). Vans over 3.5t (Class C) and HGVs (Class D) pay the standard rates.
How long does the Thurrock pass take to issue?+
5-10 working days in most cases. The Council cross-checks your application against electoral roll and Council Tax records. A recent move can slow this; if your V5C address doesn't yet match your new address, update the V5C first and then re-apply.