Huge surge in parking fines for diplomatic vehicles

The number of parking penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued to diplomatic vehicles along red routes increased by 96% between 2021 and 2024, new research suggests.

That equates to more than £200,000 in parking fines issued to high commissions and embassies by Transport for London (TfL).

The study, conducted by Select Fleet Solutions, analysed the parking violations of diplomatic vehicles from 2021 to 2025 and found a total of 1,782 fines were issued to diplomatic vehicles for breaching parking restrictions on London’s most congested roads, which are identified as red routes.

These routes, cover 5% of the capital’s roads but carry 30% of its traffic, making it crucial to ensure clear, efficient routes for commuters and emergency vehicles. 

There are 168 diplomatic missions located in London, including Embassies, Consulates and High Commissions. The majority of the embassies are located in Central London, where there is a large network of red routes. 

The findings of the research, which were uncovered through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted to TfL, exposes a growing problem with unpaid PCNs issued to diplomatic vehicles parked illegally along these critical red routes in the heart of the capital. 

Diplomats and diplomatic vehicles are not exempt from any restrictions across the network. A PCN for red route traffic offences paid within 28 days is £160. However, if the PCN is paid within 14 days, it will be reduced to £80.  

While the number of PCNs outstanding will decrease as more penalties are paid over time, figures from January to April this year reveal that there is still £15,000 in outstanding parking PCNs.  

Graham Conway, MD of Select Fleet Solutions, said: “It’s eye-opening to see the number of unpaid parking fines racked up by diplomatic vehicles, especially along London’s critical red routes.” 

The number of parking PCNs issued to diplomatic vehicles over the past four years has consistently increased.

In 2021, 267 parking PCNs were issued to diplomatic vehicles, which increased to 381 PCNs in 2022.

In 2023, this increased to 487 and by 2024, there were 523 parking PCNs issued. This marks a 96% increase in the number of parking PCNs issued to diplomatic vehicles from 2021 to 2024.

In the first four months of this year, TfL has issued 124 PCNs to diplomatic vehicles parked along red routes. 

The FOI data reveals that the High Commission for the Federal Republic of Nigeria has the highest number of parking PCNs issued by TfL.

Since 2021, 197 PCNs have been issued to diplomatic vehicles for the commission. The number of parking fines issued to diplomatic vehicles from the commission has consistently increased from 43 in 2021, to 61 in 2024.     

In 2024, there was £9,600 outstanding for PCNs for Nigerian High Commission, however, this has decreased to £2,000 in 2025.  

The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia has also accumulated a significant number of parking PCNs over the four-year period.

During this period, 128 PCNs were issued to diplomatic vehicles from the embassy.

The highest number of PCNs was accumulated in 2022, when 39 PCNs were issued.

While Saudi Arabia has incurred a large number of fines, it has a smaller outstanding amount for these PCNs. In 2024, the embassy had £2,720 in outstanding fines however this has decreased to £480 in 2025.  

The Embassy of the Republic of Iraq follows, with the third highest number of parking PCNs issued by TfL for parking along red routes in London.

In the four-year period, diplomatic vehicles accumulated 110 parking PCNs. In 2024, the embassy had £5,600 in outstanding fines, however this decreased to £1,360 in 2025.   

Conway concluded: “It’s crucial that all vehicles, regardless of their affiliation, follow the same road rules.

“The growing number of fines issued to diplomatic vehicles shows a need for greater attention to compliance, particularly on red routes that are essential to the city’s functioning.” 

Embassies with the highest number of parking PCNs issued 

Embassies with the highest amount outstanding for parking PCNs