| There are several ways by which you can pay the | | | | online or by mobile phone, then it will be a simple |
| London Congestion Charge and avoid being fined. | | | | matter of sending a text message to 81099 on the |
| Recently it was found that surprisingly one in ten | | | | day that you enter London's Congestion Zone. |
| commuters do not actually get round to paying the | | | | Tip No. 3 - Use the online service to keep track of |
| Congestion Charge payment in time and end up | | | | travelling |
| paying a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). A massive | | | | If you are a regular commuter to the congestion |
| £91 million pound a year in fines! | | | | zone then you can always get a list of your |
| So this advice that if followed would save them | | | | transactions both on and through 0845 900 1234. |
| forking out between £60 and £150 each time in | | | | Tip No 4 - Allow for text messages |
| unnecessary fines. | | | | Just make sure if you are using automated mobile |
| Tip No. 1 - Register beforehand | | | | payments you are not paying for text messages on |
| This saves time, reduces stress, is more secure and | | | | your mobile phone tariff. |
| less likely to go wrong through entering wrong details. | | | | Tip No. 5 - Save a draft text message |
| If you are likely to be entering into the centre of | | | | You can keep a draft message on your mobile phone |
| London in the foreseeable future and you haven't | | | | with just the last four letter of your payment card |
| already registered your vehicle and credit or debit | | | | ready to send on the day of travelling. This allows |
| card then call 0845 900 1234 or go online at Give | | | | you to pay in just a few key presses. |
| them your mobile phone number, the vehicle | | | | Tip No. 6 - Don't Text and Drive |
| registration number, your credit or debit card details, | | | | An obvious one, but tempting if you are in a hurry, |
| name, address and postcode, just double check in | | | | so don't do it - it is illegal and dangerous. |
| your own time that the details are correct and that's | | | | Tip No. 7 - Payment options |
| it. | | | | If you do not wish to pay at all by credit or debit |
| It'll save you time in the future when you need to | | | | card you can use any of the stores or petrol |
| travel, it'll be more secure because your credit or | | | | stations, both inside and outside of the congestion |
| debit card details are stored safely and you are not | | | | zone to pay your congestion charge. They will have |
| likely to make a mistake by entering the wrong | | | | either an 'epay' logo or a "Central London Congestion |
| details later. | | | | Charge pay here" sign on display. At these places you |
| Tip No. 2 - Use your mobile to sign up for the | | | | can pay in cash, or in some by cheque. |
| automated method of payments | | | | Tip No. 8 - Pay before midnight on the day of travel |
| If you always have your mobile with you then it is | | | | Just make sure you pay before the end of the day. |
| the ideal way to pay once you have registered. If | | | | At midnight the charge will increase from 8 GBP to 10 |
| you sign up for the automated method of payments, | | | | GBP. |