Vehicles
Agricultural tractors
Caravans & Motorhomes
Classification of vehicles
Courtesy cars
Cyclists and pedestrians
Exempt vehicles
Minibuses
Mobility cars
Motorbikes
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Agricultural tractors
Are tractors able to cross the river for free?
Agricultural tractors are exempt for use of the Silver Jubilee Bridge only. In order to qualify as exempt, an exempt account must be applied for. Please call 01928 878 878 or email fleet@merseyflow.co.uk to apply for an exempt account, a £5 fee per vehicle is applicable. Please see exemption rules below and technical summary.
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Caravans
How much will it cost to cross the river when towing a caravan?
There is no extra charge for towing a caravan, you will be charged according to the vehicle that is towing it. If the caravan is being towed by a car or a small van then it will be £2 each way at the unregistered toll/charge rate.
If you have successfully registered for the local user discount scheme, or are a Blue Badge holder who is registered with merseyflow, then it will not cost you anything to tow any kind of caravan.
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Campervan/motorhomes
How much will it cost to drive a campervan/motorhome over the Mersey Gateway Bridge and the Silver Jubilee Bridge?
Campervans/motorhomes are class 2* vehicles so will cost £2 each way at the unregistered toll/charge rate.
*Conditions apply, please refer to classification of vehicles below.
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Classification of vehicles
What is the actual definition of the various vehicle classes for tolling purposes?
The precise definitions of the classification of vehicles for toll/charge purposes can be found in Transport Act 2000: The A533 (Mersey Gateway Bridge) and the A557 (Silver Jubilee Bridge) Road User Charging Scheme Order 2020 in schedule 11 Level of Tolls/Charges Part 2 Classification of Vehicles where is states:
CLASS 1 VEHICLE means a moped falling within classifications A(a) and A(b); motorcycles falling within classifications B(a) and B(b); motor tricycles falling within classifications C(a) and C(b); and quadricycles falling within classifications D(a), D(b), E(a) and E(b).
CLASS 2 VEHICLE means motor caravans falling within classifications L(a) and L(b); motor vehicles with at least four wheels, used for the carriage of passengers falling within classifications M(a) and M(b); and motor vehicles with at least four wheels used for the carriage of goods falling within classifications N(a) and N(b).
CLASS 3 VEHICLE means motor vehicles with at least four wheels used for the carriage of passengers falling within classifications M(a) and M(b); and motor vehicles with at least four wheels used for the carriage of goods falling within classifications N(a) and N(b).
CLASS 4 VEHICLE means motor vehicles with at least four wheels used for the carriage of passengers falling within classifications M(a) and M(b); and motor vehicles with at least four wheels used for the carriage of goods falling within classifications N(a) and N(b).
Reference to “classifications” in this Part are references to the classes of motor vehicles contained or referred to in Parts 2 to 5 of the Schedule to the Road User Charging and Work Place Parking Levy (Classes of Motor Vehicles) (England) Regulations 2001.
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Courtesy cars
If I am given a courtesy car after my registered vehicle goes in for repair or service, will I be able to register the courtesy car?
Yes, you can choose to register the courtesy car and pay a £5 fee for registering it, or alternatively you could pay the tolls/charges as normal until your registered vehicle is returned to you.
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Exempt vehicles
What vehicles are exempt from tolls/charges?
People driving military vehicles, some emergency vehicles and motorbikes will not have to pay tolls/charges – for a detailed summary of what counts as an exempt vehicle please see this technical summary.
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Minibuses
I drive a minibus. What class of vehicle is this and what rules apply?
Minibuses that have 8 or less passenger seats plus the driver seat are Class 2 vehicles, and will cost £2 per crossing if they are not registered with merseyflow.
Minibuses with more than 8 passenger seats are Class 3 vehicles and will cost £6 per crossing if they are not registered with merseyflow.
Whatever your class of vehicle, you will be able to save 10% on each trip by registering and paying a one-off £5 fee, or, if you are a regular user, you might want to consider buying a monthly pass.
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Mobility cars
I drive a motability car – do I need to pay the toll/charges?
Yes – motability cars are not exempt from the Mersey Gateway and Silver Jubilee Bridge tolls/charges.
However, if the user of the motability car is a Blue Badge holder, the user can register the car as part of the Blue Badge holder exemption. Under this scheme, the car will be registered with Merseyflow at £5 one-off-fee.
If the motability car is leased and its user is otherwise eligible for the Local User Discount Scheme, the vehicle can be registered with proof of exclusive lease to the eligible Halton resident for a £10 annual fee.
Motability cars can also be registered through sticker and video registration and for monthly passes in line with other vehicles.
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Motorbikes
Are motorbikes able to cross the river for free?
Yes, motorbikes are exempt from paying the toll/charges.
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Do I still need to open an account if I plan to travel across the Mersey Gateway Bridge or Silver Jubilee Bridge on a motorbike only?
No, you do not need to open an account as motorbikes can travel for free.
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I have a four-wheeled motorbike, how is this vehicle classed?
Four-wheeled motorbikes and quad bikes are Class 1 vehicles and are therefore exempt from paying the toll/charge.
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