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<p>In regards to the Dartford Crossing Highways England confirm that the vast majority
of foreign drivers pay the charges and are not issued with fines.</p><p> </p><p>Highways
England also advise that Penalty Charge Notices issued overseas are issued with a
warning letter to those using the Dartford Crossing for the first time. This offers
a further opportunity to pay the original charge without accruing a fine. This avoids
penalising road users that are unaware of the payment arrangements, and raises awareness
so that advanced payments can be made in the future. Highways England uses a private
collection agency called EPC plc to chase those foreign drivers who do not pay tolls
and penalty charges.</p><p> </p><p>Regarding the HGV Levy, the Driver and Vehicle
Standards Agency (DVSA) note that enforcement of non-GB HGVs is a major priority for
them. In 2016-17, it checked just over 88,000 non-GB HGVs at the roadside, which accounts
for more than 62% of all HGV vehicles stopped for enforcement checks.</p><p> </p><p>From
those checks, DVSA issued just under 17,000 penalty notices. These covered offences
including the non-payment of the HGV Levy, mechanical offences and drivers hours.
In the last year, a number of vehicles were directed out of the country and many were
immobilised until the problems identified had been rectified. There are no plans to
change the rules on entry for this issue.</p>
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