Speeding With Immunity: Embassies Rack Up Over a Million in Fines in the ACT

Embassy staff ignoring fines issued to them is a perennial problem for the ACT government, with the oldest unpiad infringement dating back to 1996.

A general view of the roads around the Parliament House building in Canberra, Australia on Aug. 13, 2021. Jamila Toderas/AFP via Getty Images

Fail to pay a traffic fine in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and you'll first have a late fee added, and then face cancellation of your driver’s licence or the registration of the vehicle involved in the offence.

Ignore that, and the penalty for driving without a licence is a $7,500 fine, 6 months’ imprisonment, or both. Driving an unregistered vehicle will currently set you back $3,200.