Toll Roads in the UK: A Guide for HGV Drivers
Travelling on toll roads in England can add extra costs and payment requirements to an HGV journey. While most UK roads are free to use, several roads, bridges and tunnels charge drivers to use them. Knowing where these charges apply, how much HGVs pay and how payments work can help drivers and fleet operators plan ahead.
This guide covers the main toll roads in England and across the UK, including the M6 Toll, Dartford Crossing, Tyne Tunnels and other important routes for HGV drivers.
What toll roads are there in England and the UK?
The UK does not have a nationwide motorway toll system, but charges apply on certain roads, bridges and tunnels.
Some of the main routes HGV drivers should know about include:
- M6 Toll – West Midlands
- Dartford Crossing – Dartford, Essex
- Tyne Tunnels – Tyne and Wear
- Mersey Gateway – Halton, Cheshire
- Mersey Tunnels – Liverpool and Wirral
- Humber Bridge – East Yorkshire
- Tamar Bridge – Plymouth and Cornwall
There are also smaller tolled bridges and local road charging schemes around the country.
Most toll roads in England use their own charging and payment systems, so drivers should check the requirements for each route before travelling.
You can check the UK Government’s current list of toll roads, bridges and tunnels when planning your journey.
How much do UK toll roads cost for HGVs?
There isn’t one standard HGV toll charge across the UK.
The amount you pay depends on the road or crossing. Vehicle size, weight, number of axles and the type of payment account used can also affect the price.
For this reason, drivers and fleet managers should always check the latest price for the individual toll road, bridge or crossing before travelling.
Dartford Crossing
The Dartford Crossing connects Dartford in Kent with Thurrock in Essex and is an important route for freight travelling around London and the South East.
Charges apply between 6am and 10pm every day, including weekends and bank holidays.
For goods vehicles, current one-off charges are £4.20 for vehicles with two axles and £8.40 for vehicles with more than two axles. Different rates are available for eligible pre-pay accounts.
There are no payment barriers at the crossing, so drivers and fleet operators need to arrange payment separately.
For more information about charges, payments and planning an HGV journey through the area, read our guide to the Dartford Crossing.
M6 Toll
The M6 Toll provides an alternative route around one of the busiest sections of the M6 through the West Midlands.
Unlike most UK motorways, vehicles must pay to use it.
The amount paid depends on the vehicle class and how many M6 Toll zones are used. Prices can change, so check the latest M6 Toll pricing before travelling.
For fleets, deciding whether to use the M6 Toll may involve balancing the additional charge against factors such as journey time, congestion and fuel use.
Tyne Tunnels
The Tyne Tunnels carry the A19 underneath the River Tyne and provide an important connection between North and South Tyneside.
Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes currently pay £5.20 per passage, with discounts available for eligible pre-paid account holders.
The tunnels operate without traditional cash payment at the point of passage. Drivers should therefore understand how they will pay for the journey before travelling.
Check the latest Tyne Tunnel toll information before your journey.
Mersey Tunnels and Mersey Gateway
Drivers travelling around Liverpool and the wider region may encounter the Kingsway and Queensway Mersey Tunnels, as well as the Mersey Gateway.
Vehicle classifications and charges vary between these routes, so drivers should check the relevant crossing before travelling.
Current information for the Mersey Tunnels is available through Merseytravel.
How to pay for toll roads in England
Payment methods vary between toll roads in England and other UK toll routes.
Depending on the road, bridge or tunnel, drivers may be able to pay through:
- Online payments
- Pre-paid accounts
- Automatic vehicle recognition
- Contactless payments
- Operator-specific accounts or payment services
Some crossings no longer have traditional toll booths.
Drivers and fleet operators should therefore understand how payment works before completing a journey. Missing a required payment could result in additional charges or penalties.
For fleets using multiple toll roads or travelling internationally, managing several different payment systems can also create additional administration.
Are tolls and the HGV Levy the same thing?
No. Road tolls and the HGV Levy are separate charges.
The HGV Levy applies to non-UK registered HGVs weighing 12,000kg or more when they use certain roads in the UK.
Paying the HGV Levy does not cover separate road tolls or road-user charges. For example, an eligible vehicle may still need to pay for the M6 Toll or Dartford Crossing in addition to the HGV Levy.
International fleets travelling into the UK should therefore consider both when calculating journey costs.
You can find the latest information in the UK Government’s HGV Levy guidance.
Planning HGV routes around UK toll roads
A toll road isn’t necessarily a route that drivers should avoid.
Depending on the journey, a tolled road or crossing may offer a more practical option than an alternative route.
When deciding whether to use one, fleet managers can consider:
- The toll charge for the vehicle
- Journey time
- Distance
- Fuel consumption
- Traffic conditions
- Driver hours
- Nearby truck parking
- How the toll needs to be paid
Considering the entire journey rather than the toll charge alone can help fleets choose the most practical route.
Drivers planning longer journeys may also want to identify suitable stopping points in advance. The SNAP truck parking network helps drivers find parking locations across the UK and Europe.
Make toll payments easier with SNAP
Managing different toll systems can become increasingly complicated for fleets operating across multiple countries.
SNAP Tolling helps fleet operators manage toll payments across the UK and Europe through their SNAP Account, reducing the need to manage multiple payment systems separately.
Alongside tolling, fleets can use SNAP for services including truck parking and truck washing, bringing several services used on the road together through one account.
For fleets regularly travelling across the UK and Europe, this can help simplify administration while giving drivers an easier way to access the services they need.
Toll roads in England: FAQs
Are there toll roads in England?
Yes. Although most roads in England are free to use, several roads, bridges and tunnels charge vehicles to cross. These include the M6 Toll, Dartford Crossing, Tyne Tunnels and Mersey Gateway.
Do HGVs pay more on UK toll roads?
Often, yes. Many toll operators classify vehicles according to factors such as their size, weight or number of axles. Larger commercial vehicles can therefore pay more than cars.
Always check the individual toll operator’s latest vehicle classifications and charges before travelling.
Is the Dartford Crossing a toll road?
The Dartford Crossing operates a road-user charging scheme rather than a traditional toll booth.
Charges apply between 6am and 10pm, and drivers don’t pay at a barrier when using the crossing.
Read our Dartford Crossing guide for more information about charges, payments and planning your journey.
Do I have to pay the HGV Levy as well as toll charges?
Eligible non-UK registered HGVs may need to pay both.
The HGV Levy and individual road tolls are separate, so paying the levy does not cover charges such as the M6 Toll or Dartford Crossing.
Can fleets manage toll payments with SNAP?
SNAP provides tolling solutions for fleets travelling across the UK and Europe, helping fleet operators manage participating toll services through their SNAP Account.
Plan your journey around toll roads in England
Planning ahead for toll roads in England and across the UK can help drivers and fleet managers understand journey costs, choose suitable routes and avoid missed payments.
Before travelling, always check the latest charges, vehicle classifications and payment requirements for the specific road, bridge or crossing you intend to use.
For fleets travelling regularly across the UK and Europe, discover how SNAP Tolling can help simplify toll payments.
