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The central London congestion charge, a £5 daily charge for driving or parking a vehicle on public roads in the congestion charge zone, is now in operation. * The congestion charge applies from 7.00am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. The charge does not apply at the weekends. * The boundary of the central London congestion charging zone is formed by the Inner Ring Road. * Payment of the daily charge of £5 allows you to enter, drive around and leave the charging zone as many times as you wish in one day. How to pay the charge The £5 daily charge can be paid in advance or after travelling within the charging zone, so long as payment is made by 10.00pm on the day of travel. Drivers can also purchase daily, weekly (£25), monthly (£110) or annual (£1,250) passes. Several single days can be paid for in one transaction if the days of travelling are known in advance. There are no tollbooths, barriers or tickets instead drivers have to pay to register their vehicle registration number on a database. Cameras read number plates as vehicles enter or move around within the charging zone and the information is checked against the database. Once the vehicle registration number has been matched, showing that the charge has been paid, the photographic image of the vehicle is automatically wiped off the database. For maximum convenience, transport for London has created a number of different ways to pay. These are as follows: Online - simply follow the links at http://www.cclondon.com - paying the charge this way is quick and easy. Mobile phone text message - simply follow the links at www.cclondon.com or by calling 0845 900 1234. Once registered the £5 daily charge can be paid on the day of travel up until 10.00pm by sending a simple text message from a mobile phone. Selected retail outlets and petrol stations - the charge can also be paid in cash at newsagents, convenience stores and petrol stations where the sign or the PayPoint logo is displayed. Some retailers will also accept payment by cheque and credit or debit card at their discretion. Self Service Machines - the charge can be paid with certain credit and debit cards, at self service machines in major public car parks within the charging zone. Phone - call 0845 900 1234. Post - the paying the Congestion Charge form can be obtained now by writing to Congestion Charging, PO Box 2958, Coventry CV7 8ZR or by calling 0845 9001234. A Fast Track Card makes paying online, at retail outlets and by phone faster and easier because it contains much of the information drivers have to repeat each time they pay. Register for a free Fast Track Card online http://www.cclondon.com simply click on the Register for Fast Track button) or call 0845 900 1234. Calls to 0845 900 1234 are charged at local rate. The cost of a text message will be in accordance with terms and conditions of your contract with your airtime supplier. Not everyone has to pay the charge Residents of the charging zone are eligible for the 90% residents discount and blue/orange badge holders are eligible for 100% discount. Exemption: drivers of exempt vehicles do not have to pay the charge or register with Transport for London. These include: * Motorbikes, mopeds and bicycles * London licensed taxis and minicabs * Vehicles used by disabled persons that are exempt from vehicle excise duty * Licensed buses with 9 or more seats * Emergency services vehicle 90% discount: Each eligible resident in the congestion charging zone can register with Transport for London for a 90% discount on one private vehicle. The minimum charge payable is for one week (five consecutive days ) at £2.50. 100% discount: Some vehicles are eligible for a 100% discount. Users of these vehicles must register with Transport for London to obtain their discount. These include: * Vehicles used by Blue and Orange Badge holders. * Alternative fuel vehicles meeting strict emissions standards. * Vehicles with 9 or more seats, not licensed as buses. Under special circumstances, certain NHS staff and patients are eligible for a 100% reimbursement of the congestion charge. Find out more information about these and other vehicles that are exempt or receive a discount from the congestion charge and obtain the relevant registration forms at http://www.cclondon.com or call 0845 900 1234. Failure to pay the charge If the charge is paid between 10.00pm and midnight on the day of travel: a £5 surcharge on the standard charge will have to be paid (total payment will be £10). If payment is not made by midnight on the day of travel: £80 Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) sent to registered keeper of vehicle. Reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days. After 28 days: Penalty increases to £120. After three or more outstanding congestion charging PCNs: Vehicle may be clamped or removed. Released on the payment of all outstanding charges and related costs. The alternatives to driving in central London Transport for London has created a free new service that allows people to find the quickest, easiest route across Greater London by public transport - Visit Journey Planner at http://www.tfl.gov.uk/journeyplanner Location of the congestion charging zone within Greater London Congestion charging is operating in the heart of London where traffic congestion is at its worst. The boundary of the central London congestion charging zone is formed by the Inner Ring Road linking Euston Road, Pentonville Road, Tower Bridge, Elephant & Castle, Vauxhall Bridge Road, Park Lane and Marylebone Road. The Inner Ring Road provides a boundary around the charging zone, the charge only applies to vehicles travelling inside the boundary, not those travelling on it. To see a map of the areas covered by the charging zone visit http://www.cclondon.com. You can also type in a postcode to find out whether it is in the zone. Back to Stop Press |