Why does American Embassy and their staff refuse to pay the London Congestion Charge ?

Question

Every other company/business/individual has to pay the London Congestion Charge for bringing their vehicles in to LCC areas within London. (£8 to £10 a day).

I have to fork up the money even though I'm not rich and don't like paying it...... but it seems big old superpower USA think they are above the law.

Why does America think it can disregard the laws of our country ?

It seems America has never paid the charge since it was introduced and now owe London Transport Network over £891,000 ($1.6 million).

http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=9148

Answer 1

There is a world-wide attitude among diplomats that need not pay traffic fines in any country where they are posted.

New York City is owed millions & millions by United Nations diplomats from many countries, all of whom refuse to pay their traffic fines.

And in Washington DC, millions are also owed by foreign diplomats.

Nevertheless, the US government position on the London Congestion Charge is especially annoying because it perpetuates the image of Americans as lazy unfair gas-hogs.

The real reason the US government refuses to pay? Because Ken Livingstone says mean things about the USA when they invade other countries.

Answer 2

The reason the US Embassy refuses to pay the congestion charge is due to a rather grey area of legislation. The US Embassy are saying that the Congestion Charge is a "Toll" and therefore they do not have to pay this under current diplomatic agreements.

Red Ken however is saying that the charge is a Tax, rather than a Toll and therefore the Americans should pay it.

I think that as congestion charging rolls out around the world our embassy's will do the same and the whole situation will even out. No embassy's will pay it, or they all will. Problem solved.

Answer 3

All Embassies and their staff are exempt from paying taxes. The USA says that this is a congestion tax and therefore they don't have to pay. There are other countries who don't pay. UAE owes more than the USA, but Livingstone does not like the Americans so he make more fuss about them that the other countries who don't pay.

Answer 4

Like all foreigners who work in embassies they consider themselves above all laws, just try to have any of them pay for an accident where they are to blame. the same goes for their military, they can have fatal accidents and get away with it if the station commander states that they were on official business, even if they have just come from the supermarket. Our great allies are like that, would shoot you in the back and call it friendly fire.

Answer 5

I was going to say: because, they all using nasal inhalers to avoid congestion, but now I know that you are talking about traffic congestion.
In order to answer the question I would need to know if the embassy personnel drive cars. If they take the bus, why would they be required to pay congestion charges.

Answer 6

The same reason that, the average American thinks everyone in the world should speak ENGLISH!!!!!!! We are pretty ego-centric as a nation. Not all Americans, JUST most of us.

Answer 7

Perhaps they just don't agree with it like plenty of Englishmen.Only embassies have diplomatic privilege and can't be made to obey the laws of the country they are in.If they do its voluntary.

Answer 8

As if any Americans on YA have direct control or say over the matter.

Answer 9

The bastards still haven't paid us for all the tea they dumped in Boston Harbour.

Answer 10

Send them a bill with huge interest!

But what can you do, we are just a pet dog for Americans, right?