Cheltenham Council warns racegoers against encouraging unbooked Uber and private hire vehicle trips
- Perry Richardson
- Mar 7
- 3 min read
As thousands descend on Cheltenham for the prestigious four-day racing festival from 11 to 14 March, local councils are urging racegoers to pre-book their private hire vehicles—including Uber trips—to avoid potential safety risks.
Cheltenham Borough Council and Tewkesbury Borough Council have issued a warning: private hire vehicles, including those operating via Uber, must be pre-booked. Any Uber driver accepting a journey without a prior booking is acting illegally and could face fines or licence revocation.
Licensing teams will be conducting enforcement checks throughout the festival. Any driver caught unlawfully plying for hire risks a £1,000 fine and could lose their licence. Officials stress that passengers should never approach or accept rides from Uber drivers who have not been booked through the app.
Legitimate Uber vehicles in Cheltenham must display a licence plate, and drivers must carry an identification badge showing their licence number. Passengers should ensure that the driver confirms their booking before getting in.
If a driver attempts to pick up a passenger without an app booking, racegoers are advised to report the incident to the licensing authority. The driver’s plate and registration number should be noted, with reports sent to licensing@cheltenham.gov.uk.
For those who have not pre-booked, the council advises using official taxi ranks or flagging only Cheltenham Borough Council-licensed hackney carriages, identifiable by their white top lights displaying the word “TAXI”.
Cllr Victoria Atherstone, cabinet member for safety and communities, said: “We are gearing up to host a significant number of visitors for the Cheltenham racing festival, and it’s important for everyone to plan their travel ahead of time. Safety is our top priority, and we want racegoers to be aware of where taxi ranks are located. Private hire vehicles, unlike Cheltenham’s licensed hackney carriages, cannot be flagged down on the street or wait at one of our taxi ranks, and must be booked in advance.
“The council is committed to a zero-tolerance approach to unlawful taxi and private hire activity. Unlicensed drivers tempted to work illegally, or licensed drivers trying to take cash on the side, should be aware that enforcement officers will be monitoring the town by carrying out spot checks. We will take enforcement action against any unlicensed or unsafe vehicles attempting to operate during the festival week.”
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.”
Cllr Murray Stewart, Tewkesbury Borough Council’s lead member for environmental services, commented: “We are pleased to work with Cheltenham Borough Council again to ensure the safety of everyone attending the Cheltenham Festival. Pre-booking private hire vehicles is essential not only for convenience but also for safety.
“Racegoers are encouraged to plan ahead and book their transport to and from the event to avoid unnecessary risks. Let's ensure everyone enjoys the festival responsibly and returns home safely.”
