The Tamar Bridge is a key crossing between Saltash in Cornwall and Plymouth in Devon, carrying tens of thousands of vehicles each day.
Whether you’re commuting, towing, or travelling through the region, understanding the current tolls and charging rules helps you plan your trip with no surprises.
Tamar Bridge Payment
The Tamar Bridge toll is one-way only. You only pay when travelling eastbound – that is when you are travelling from Saltash (Cornwall) to Plymouth (Devon).
When travelling via Westbound, this is free.
If you are travelling via a pedal bike, and/or mobility scooter you will not be charged.
How To Pay Tamar Bridge Toll
- Card on the bridge (contactless accepted, including Apple Pay and Google Pay where your bank card supports mobile payments).
- TamarTag (pre-pay account) – gives ~50% discount on standard vehicle classes.
- Cash is not accepted at the bridge; the toll booths take card and TamarTag only.
- Queries: Bridge Office 01752 361577.
Payment is checked in person at the toll booth, not by camera. The operator doesn’t have an ANPR (number-plate camera) system in place yet – “Open Road Tolling” using ANPR is a longer-term option the Joint Committee is still investigating, not something in operation on the bridge today.
Setting Up A TamarTag Account
TamarTag is the electronic tolling system for the bridge and the Torpoint Ferry, and it’s the easiest way to get the ~50% discount on standard vehicle classes.
- Apply online via the Tamar Crossings website, or complete a paper application form at the Bridge or Ferry office.
- Once your application is processed you’ll be given an account number and password so you can log in and manage your balance online.
- Top up online, by phone (01752 361577), in person at the Bridge or Ferry office, or set up a direct debit for automatic top-ups when your balance runs low.
- A small monthly account admin fee applies (currently £0.80) – a proposed rise to £2.00 is going through council approval for 2026, covered below.
- Accounts are open to any UK driver – personal and company accounts are both available, and you don’t need to live in Cornwall or Plymouth to apply.
The saving adds up quickly for regular commuters: crossing eastbound five days a week costs £15.00 on card, versus £7.50 with TamarTag – a saving of around £390 a year before any admin fee.
Operating Hours & Contact
The bridge itself is open to traffic 24 hours a day. The Tamar Bridge Office, which handles payments, TamarTag queries and applications by phone or in person, is staffed Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (01752 361577).
There isn’t a dedicated Tamar Bridge app, and the crossing isn’t part of the RingGo parking network – payment is by contactless card at the booth, a TamarTag account managed online, or the operator’s own online portal for settling a late toll (see below). This is all handled directly through the Tamar Crossings website rather than gov.uk, which doesn’t cover this crossing.
Tamar Bridge toll prices
| Vehicle class
| Cash/Card (single)
| TamarTag (single)
| Trailer surcharge*
|
|---|
| Motorcycles
| Free
| Free
| Free
|
| Cars & vans (MGW ≤ 3.5t, 2 axles)
| £3.00
| £1.50
| +£3.00 (Card) / +£1.50 (Tag)
|
| Heavy vehicles (MGW > 3.5t, 2 axles)
| £7.30
| £3.65
| +£7.30 / +£3.65
|
| Heavy vehicles (3 axles)
| £12.00
| £6.00
| +£12.00 / +£6.00
|
| Heavy vehicles (4+ axles)
| £16.50
| £8.25
| +£16.50 / +£8.25
|
* Trailers attract a toll matching that of the towing vehicle (i.e., the same amount again).
Quad bikes, trikes and motorcycles with a sidecar are charged as a car.
Quick Toll Calculator
There’s no interactive calculator on this page, but here are some common combinations worked out for you:
| Journey
| Card
| TamarTag
|
|---|
| Car, single crossing
| £3.00
| £1.50
|
| Car + caravan/trailer
| £6.00
| £3.00
|
| Car, 5 crossings a week
| £15.00
| £7.50
|
| Heavy vehicle (2 axles), single crossing
| £7.30
| £3.65
|
Tamar Bridge Toll Prices In 2026
The prices in the table above have been unchanged since the last increase in January 2024, and there’s no change to the headline card or TamarTag crossing tolls for 2026.
The Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee has, however, proposed raising the TamarTag monthly account admin fee from £0.80 to £2.00 as part of the 2025/26 Tamar Crossings budget. The proposal still needs approval from Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council, so it’s worth checking the operator’s website for the latest position before you apply for a tag.
Payment for Abnormal Loads On The Tamar Bridge
These are charged in both directions. The rules include:
- Exclusive use of one lane: £50
- Two lanes: £100
- More than two lanes: £150
Tamar Bridge Practical Tips
You only pay eastbound on the bridge. Whilst it’s worth remembering for riders that motorcycles are free on the Tamar Bridge. This is different on the Torpoint Ferry.
TamarTag is a quick and easy way to travel on the bridge. This opens the barrier automatically and halves most car/HGV tolls. It is a good option for commuters and fleets.
Don’t forget the trailer doubles your toll (same class as the towing vehicle).
For those looking for a receipt, card payments can provide a receipt. TamarTag customers get statements via their account.
What Happens If You Don’t Pay
If you cross without paying, you have five calendar days to settle the toll before extra costs are added. Paying within that window adds a small administration supplement matching the standard car toll.
After five days, a Violation Notice is issued covering the unpaid toll plus a larger administration charge. Notices can be paid online, by phone, or in person, and there’s a formal representation and appeals process if you want to dispute one.
Who Sets The Tamar Bridge Toll?
The bridge and ferry are run on a self-financing, “user pays” basis by the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee, made up of councillors from Plymouth City Council and Cornwall Council. Toll income is ring-fenced under the Tamar Bridge Acts and funds maintenance, day-to-day operations, and long-term improvement works under the Tamar 2050 programme.
Can I Avoid The Tamar Bridge Toll? Torpoint Ferry As An Alternative Route
There’s no toll-free way across the Tamar by car – both the bridge and the Torpoint Ferry charge for the same eastbound journey. The ferry is still worth considering as an alternative route though, particularly if the bridge is busy or closed, and the key differences between the two include the following:
- Cars/vans: Same headline tolls as the bridge (eastbound only).
- Motorcycles: £1.00 westbound on the ferry; free on the bridge.
- Trailers: Same “vehicle-matching” rule as the bridge.
- Abnormal loads: £50 per crossing (plus £10 per occupied lane) and charged both directions.
