To not know whether to pay the Congestion Charge or not?

[outdamspot]

Yesterday I was driving around the edge of London's Congestion Charge zone when my SatNav fell off the window. While my passenger was grappling to put it back I got into the wrong lane and was forced to turn into a street that I think is part of the zone because I drove passed the signs. Once the satnav was fixed, we got back on track but I don't know at what point we left the zone - maybe 15-20 minutes later but it's hard to tell because I didn't see an obvious sign to say we were leaving it.

If I owe money then I'll pay up, but how can I be sure? The website allows you to enter a postcode to see if it's in the zone, but I don't know what the postcode was.

If I pay, but it turns out I don't owe anything, I don't suppose I'll get my money back, will I? But if I don't pay do I automatically get a fine? And if TfL's computer system can read my number plate, how come it can't check to see if I actually owe anything before it takes my money?

@outdamspot YOU were the driver, YOUR responsibility. YOU drove into congestion charge zone through yr own errors and lack of knowing where you were. Pay the charge.

what makes you think not to pay it.
if you delay it goes up quickly.
pay today.

What road were you on @outdamspot and which lane did you cross into? If you don't know the road, which district/tube stop?

I drive through Central London dozens of times a month, practically daily at one point.

( Please don't say it's "outing" - I doubt another MN'er who happened to see a fallen sat nav being stuck on the window by a teenager is going to suddenly pipe up with your reg, make and colour).

Apologies as well if that sounds off @outdamspot just saying, if you say it's Elephant or Vauxhall it's City Road or wherever, I can better advise as to whether you'll be fined or charged.

OP, have you checked the detailed map of the congestion charge.
but if you passed to signs, then you entered the zone.

tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge/congestion-charge-zone

"@outdamspot Re maps, I remember many more issues and family arguments over navigation when I was a child, so I certainly don't pine for the bad old days pre-satnav."

My Dad was a Hackney carriage driver back in he day. Had the knowledge, we as a family never argued once about maps . Even when we went across Europe. My Dad ways knew where we were going. Guess my Dad showing me how to always read maps when i passed my test at 19 , served me well.

Hmm why are people asking the OP to use an A-Z? I know AIBU users LOVE to be contrary but this is ridiculous advice, akin to saying "there was nothing wrong with a typewriter ribbon" if someone has printer trouble.

Just thank your lucky stars you didn't do anything other than stray into the wrong lane whilst distracted by the satnav.

I learned to drive round London before satnavs existed (and I would also recommend a back up A-Z) and the trick is to plan your route and remember a string of places you are going between. Really important if going near the edges of the congestion zone.

And as we all look at maps these days to check for road closures, that's an easy time to for the key points you'll be going through so you can navigate by road signage

@Ginuwine

Hmm why are people asking the OP to use an A-Z? I know AIBU users LOVE to be contrary but this is ridiculous advice, akin to saying "there was nothing wrong with a typewriter ribbon" if someone has printer trouble.

Because they're tiresome and clearly have nothing better to do.

"Because they're tiresome and clearly have nothing better to do".

Or because they know where they are going and never incur any unnecessary congestion charges 😁.

@LadyMargaretBeauforte

"Because they're tiresome and clearly have nothing better to do".

Or because they know where they are going and never incur any unnecessary congestion charges 😁.

You're a perfect driver then? You delight in other's mistakes?

I would wager a hefty bet that I drive more miles than you, and I still make occasional route mistakes. It's human.

For those looking to kick the OP and delight in her mistakes... I bet if someone filmed your lifetime driving record it wouldn't bear inspection.

It's really annoying. I don't drive in London often but I try to be careful and stick to driving round the edge of the zone. But sometimes you just don't know whether you're going to go in until it's too late to avoid it. If you went past a sign - as in it was on the road you turned into then you will have to pay. You don't sadly get any grace period.

The TFL site is rubbish in that even if selecting a previous day it will just blindly accept payment without checking if payment is actually due or not.

Firstly OP what sign did you pass? A you are now entering the zone sign or a congestion chare zone ahead sign?

If you passed a start of zone signe then unfortunately you'll have to pay (and the ULEZ possibly).

Thanks user. I think it was the first sign but can't be sure. I've paid it now. The site did check my reg against ulez elligibility and told me that wasn't due, but there was nothing to confirm that the congestion charge was due. Presumably that is deliberate mitigation against losing money when cameras stop working.

Is it not dependent on your car too? I don't have to pay it, my car is exempt. Or am I confusing it with the low emission zone?

@LadyMargaretBeauforte

"Because they're tiresome and clearly have nothing better to do".

Or because they know where they are going and never incur any unnecessary congestion charges 😁.

Oh to be as superior as you. We all bow down to your fabulous route planning and navigation skills. If only everyone's dad was a hackney cab driver then we wouldn't have such a mess on the roads.

@Outdamspot I think you have made the correct decision. Put it down to bad luck.

Do London have to pay a daily rate or ar they exempt! Sorry not point of thread know

London taxis that is, why no edit button !!!

Black cabs are exempt, but minicabs/Ubers/other private hire all have to pay.

It’s annoying op
No way of checking
I’ve paid in the past but now know I needn’t have done so!

God some of these replies are a bit unnecessarily mean and gloaty. It’s not like the OP was driving dangerously, she just made a wrong turn. It can be quite easy to get into the wrong lane and find yourself in the congestion charge zone. I’ve done it before in Vauxhall. There are big Cs painted on the road OP, that’s how I knew I’d gone over.

I have autopay set up now in case in happens again as I’m not a great navigator and sometimes sat nav fails or the children shout and I can’t hear what it’s said.

@outdamspot something weird going on with your username because your most recent post didn’t come up in green or when I clicked “see all”. I see you’ve paid now. However for future reference, as a PP said, you may have got confused by “congestion charge ahead” signs rather than ones to say you were entering the CC zone. When you enter the zone there are big Cs painted on the road itself, in addition to the signs. I think from memory the whole road is red. It’s quite hard to miss, so if you didn’t see that you might not have actually entered the zone. I’ll see if I can find one on Google street maps. (I regularly drive a route that is carefully planned to avoid it, it’s near Aldgate if that is where you were).

One person has been a twat

Op if you drove past a sign saying you were entering rhen you entered. I don’t understand why you’re confused. There are no pretend signs up.