Card payments to become mandatory for all Cheltenham taxis from September
- Perry Richardson
- Aug 7
- 1 min read
Updated: Aug 8
From 1 September 2025, all taxi and private hire vehicles licensed by Cheltenham Borough Council will be required to accept card payments. The move means drivers can no longer refuse card-paying passengers or add any extra charges for using a card.
The council confirmed the change as part of a wider update to its taxi and private hire policy. It says the new requirement aims to make travel safer and more accessible, particularly for those without cash on hand.
Drivers will need to ensure their vehicles are fitted with working card payment devices that passengers can use at the point of payment. Any refusal to take a card payment after the deadline could result in enforcement action.
In a further policy update, all private hire operators will be required to complete mandatory safeguarding training by 1 January 2026. The training is intended to help drivers better identify and report concerns around passenger safety.
Cheltenham Borough Council says the latest changes reflect its ongoing commitment to raising safety and service standards across the local licensed trade.
Councillor Victoria Atherstone, cabinet member for safety and communities, said: “Our dedicated teams are working hard to ensure safe and accessible travel by requiring all licensed taxi and private hire vehicles to accept card payments.
"This policy reflects our ongoing dedication to public safety, which includes mandatory safeguarding training for all operators.”
