Cuban embassy car accrues £52,200 in London congestion fines
Transport for London has issued 290 penalty notices to the diplomatic vehicle for failing to pay the Congestion Charge.
Incident → evidence → outcomeA vehicle registered to the Embassy of Cuba has accumulated £52,200 in London congestion charges over a single year. Between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, Transport for London (TfL) issued 290 penalty notices to the diplomatic car for failing to pay the Congestion Charge. The embassy is located at 167 High Holborn in the City of London.
TfL's Stance on Diplomatic Exemptions
TfL has clarified that diplomatic vehicles are not exempt from paying the Congestion Charge. An FOI officer stated that the charge is considered a payment for a service, distinct from a tax, and therefore all vehicles entering the charging zone must comply. Despite representations through diplomatic channels, a number of embassies continue to refuse payment. TfL has indicated it will persist in pursuing all outstanding fees and penalty charge notices.
Broader Issues of Unpaid Fines
The unpaid fines by the Cuban embassy car are part of a larger issue involving foreign missions. Previous Freedom of Information requests revealed that the US Embassy has accrued nearly £16 million in unpaid congestion charges since the scheme's inception in 2003. Other embassies, including China and Japan, also have significant outstanding amounts. Separately, a Kia driver accumulated £154,820 in congestion and Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) fines during the same July 2025 to June 2026 period, for a total of 555 penalty charges.
MyLondon has approached the Embassy of Cuba for a statement regarding the fines.
Questions this report answers
01How much in congestion fines has the Cuban embassy car accumulated?
A car linked to the Cuban embassy has accumulated £52,200 in London congestion fines. This amount was accrued over a 12-month period between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, with 290 penalty notices issued.
02Are diplomats exempt from paying the Congestion Charge?
No, diplomats are not exempt from paying the Congestion Charge. Transport for London considers it a charge for a service, not a tax, and therefore all vehicles, including diplomatic ones, are required to pay.
03What is Transport for London doing about unpaid diplomatic fines?
Transport for London is pursuing all unpaid Congestion Charge fees and associated penalty notices through diplomatic channels. They have stated they will continue to pursue these outstanding amounts from embassies that refuse to pay.
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