Cheltenham Festival racegoers told to check out-of-area Uber driver licensing details as council issues safety advice
- Perry Richardson
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Racegoers travelling to the Cheltenham Festival are being advised to carefully check the licensing details of private hire vehicles booked through Uber as thousands prepare to visit the Gloucestershire town for the annual racing event.
Cheltenham Borough Council and Tewkesbury Borough Council have issued guidance ahead of the four-day festival running from Tuesday 10 March to Friday 13 March, warning passengers that many app-based private hire drivers operating locally may be licensed by authorities outside Cheltenham.
The councils are urging passengers using Uber to confirm that their journey has been properly pre-booked through the app before entering a vehicle. Private hire vehicles are only permitted to carry out journeys that have been booked in advance and cannot legally pick up passengers who approach them on the street or at taxi ranks.
Officials also advise passengers to check that the vehicle displays a valid licence plate and that the driver is wearing a visible badge showing their licence number. Drivers should also be able to confirm the booking details before passengers get into the vehicle.
Passengers using app-based private hire services urged to confirm bookings and note the driver’s licensing authority during the four-day racing event.
With the festival expected to attract significant numbers of visitors and drivers travelling into the area to meet demand, councils are encouraging passengers to take note of the licensing authority displayed on the vehicle plate and driver badge. This information is important if passengers later need to raise a complaint about a journey.
Any complaint about a private hire driver must be directed to the local authority that issued the licence, rather than the council where the journey took place. Officials say passengers should make a note of the vehicle registration number, licence plate and issuing council to help licensing teams investigate concerns.
Cheltenham Borough Council said that if passengers have doubts about a vehicle or driver they should gather as much information as possible, including photographs where feasible, before reporting the issue to the relevant licensing authority or by contacting the council’s licensing team.
The guidance also reminds passengers that it is illegal for any private hire driver to accept journeys that have not been booked through an operator. Drivers found illegally plying for hire could face fines of up to £1,000 and possible licence action.
For those who have not pre-booked transport, the councils advise using authorised taxi ranks or hailing only hackney carriages licensed by Cheltenham Borough Council, which can be identified by a white roof light displaying the word “TAXI”.
Cllr Victoria Atherstone, cabinet member for safety and communities, said: “We would like to advise Cheltenham Festival racegoers to familiarise themselves with the locations of taxis and private hire vehicles around Cheltenham before arrival, to make your trip easier and safer.
“The council is dedicated to a zero-tolerance policy regarding unlawful taxi and private hire activities. Unlicensed drivers tempted to operate illegally, as well as licensed drivers seeking to accept cash payments on the side, should be aware that enforcement officers will be monitoring the area through spot checks.
“We will take action against any unlicensed or unsafe vehicles attempting to operate during the festival week, and we strongly encourage people to report vehicles that feel unsafe.”
Michelle Bignell, licensing and public protection manager at Cheltenham Borough Council, added: “Don't get lured by unlicensed private hire drivers. Book your ride in advance. Failing to do so puts you at risk of travelling in an uninsured vehicle, and the driver would be acting unlawfully. We want everyone to arrive home safely, starting with securing a licensed vehicle.
“Our licensing officers, in collaboration with our partners from Gloucestershire Constabulary, Avon and Somerset Constabulary, Tewkesbury Borough Council and other neighbouring councils, will be actively monitoring licensed vehicles and ensuring compliance throughout race week.”
