We do not routinely examine commercial vehicles however drivers of hazardous OR abnormal loads must report before entering the Tunnels.
Yes, but it will need to be checked before entering either of the tunnels. Please pull into the inspection lane on approaching the tunnel.
Towed vehicles will be charged separately unless entirely under the control of the towing vehicle i.e. no driver is present in the towed vehicle.
Please ensure the registration plate of the towed vehicle is covered to prevent additional charges.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) is a specialised camera system capable of reading vehicle number plates. The vehicle registration number is read and instantly checked against our database of vehicles registered on pre-paid or exempt accounts. As you drive through the Tunnels, these cameras will detect your vehicle and deduct the toll from your Pre-Paid account or allow you to make payment by midnight the day after your journey.
Incorrect Spacing
It is crucial to have the digits spaced correctly. If you are unsure of the required spacing for your registration, you can check how it is displayed on your V5C logbook (or your V778/V750 if you are yet to receive your V5C). Spacing incorrectly makes your plate harder to read by the ANPR cameras.
Placing of Bolts
Sometimes bolts can make a letter or number look like a different digit from a distance. This could make your registration look like a completely different combination, a combination that might be registered to another vehicle.
The Wrong Font
There is a specific font that is used on UK plates, which allows it to be clearly read and each letter and number to be easily identified. The standard font used is ‘Charles Wright’.
Incorrect Background
Applying non-standard backgrounds, colours or even stickers can interfere with the ANPR reading. The front plate must be the standard white background, while the rear plate must be the standard yellow background.
3D and 4D Number Plates
If you have a 3D or 4D number plate the ANPR will not be able to read it correctly. Please be aware that if you wish to use the ANPR prepaid accounts you will need to have a standard number plate.
Invalid Flags
Some people like to add a flag to their plates but it must be positioned correctly and must be a valid flag as only a set number of flags are permitted on a UK plate. These are:
EU Flag (Please note; we suspect this might change in the future due to Brexit)
St. George Cross
Union Jack
Red Dragon of Wales
Scottish Saltire (St Andrew Cross)
Credit and debit card payments cannot be taken directly at the tunnels. You will drive straight through the tunnels without stopping therefore you can use your debit/credit card to pay online or via our automated telephone payment line by midnight the day after your journey.
Please find all payment methods available here.
Please be aware we do not accept American Express as a card payment.
Light goods vehicles and caravans no longer need to be inspected. However, drivers of hazardous loads must report to a member of TT2 staff before entering the tunnels.
Yes, as we will need to move your vehicle as quickly as possible. For details please see our Breakdown Recovery page.
Yes. Only animals that are not in a vehicle are banned from travelling through the tunnels.
The tunnel is no different to a well lit road at night. Hence you are required to switch on your headlights upon entering the tunnel for your safety, and the safety of other motorists.
Some congestion may be experienced during peak periods; weekday mornings from 7.00 – 9.00am and evenings from 4.30 – 6.00pm. Traffic volume is normally heavier heading north in the morning and south in the evening. Outside of these times you can normally travel without delay.
The tunnels are open 365 days per year, however some single lane closures are necessary to ensure the maintenance and safe operation of our site. Further short duration (approximately 20 minute) full closures of the tunnels are sometimes necessary to deploy traffic management and to complete certain maintenance activities.
During lane closures reduced speed limits (10mph) are in operation, please comply with all road signage and instructions given by tunnel staff. Additional closures may be required to address priority issues, where possible these closures will be advertised in advance on social local media and our website.
No. There is no additional charge for caravans or other trailers. However, the vehicle pulling the trailer will be required to pay the appropriate toll.
See our website help guides here.
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