Henley Regatta visitors warned to book taxis in advance or risk travelling uninsured
- Perry Richardson
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
With Henley Royal Regatta fast approaching, South Oxfordshire District Council is urging visitors to plan their return journeys carefully to avoid using unlicensed and potentially unsafe taxis.
Between 1 and 6 July, only hackney carriages licensed by the district council are permitted to pick up passengers without a booking. Private hire vehicles from South Oxfordshire and taxis licensed elsewhere must not collect passengers unless the fare is pre-arranged. Picking up fares without a booking is illegal and may leave passengers travelling in uninsured vehicles.
To stay safe, those attending the event are advised to pre-book through licensed operators. Anyone hailing a taxi in Henley should look for official South Oxfordshire roof signs and rear licence plates. Drivers must carry their council-issued photo ID badge and display it on request.
In recent years, enforcement has led to 19 drivers being prosecuted and stripped of their licences for illegal pick-ups during the Regatta. The council warns that anyone caught touting or accepting walk-up fares faces a fine of up to £1,000, legal action, and the possible loss of their licence.
Taxi users with concerns about illegal activity or suspicious driver behaviour during the event are encouraged to report it online at southoxon.gov.uk/TaxiComplaint.
Cllr Georgina Heritage, Cabinet Member for Communities at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “We urge those who need to get a taxi home from the Regatta to only use properly licensed vehicles. All private hire vehicles must be pre-booked, and hackney carriages hailed on the street must display official South Oxfordshire markings.
“Public safety is our top priority. Throughout the event our enforcement team will be working with the police and officers from our neighbouring authorities to act against any drivers who are operating illegally.”
