London minicab spotted with X-RATED sticker sparking the question: How could this be regulated?

A London licensed private hire vehicle has been spotted driving around the capital sporting an X-rated sticker on its rear window.

The sticker which is clearly visible, even more so than the car's private hire Transport for London registration roundel, shows the silhouette of a woman bending over with the words "ANY CLOSER you'd be licking my arse".

Such a sticker would certainly not be authorised by the capital's taxi and private hire regulators, who during the process of licensing vehicles, would be required to check any stickers or advertising that may be visible on a vehicle.

This particular vehicle also sports a number plate marked with the Otto Car logo and website address. Otto Car rent licensed private hire vehicles to drivers who wish to go down that route rather than purchase their own vehicles. This would raise concerns over whether Otto are aware of the sticker. Otto would also be required to make sure all of their vehicles remain within the rules and regulations set out by Transport for London.

Transport for London's policy on private hire vehicle signage states: “Signs or advertising material must not be displayed on or from a private hire vehicle unless they are exempt or approved by us, and no advertising material may be displayed in the vehicle unless in accordance with our requirements.

“This is a change from the previous regulation, which did not allow signs or advertising material to be displayed on a private hire vehicle. The amendment to the regulations means that you can also no longer display signs or advertising material on or from a private hire vehicle unless it is exempt or we have approved it, and no advertising material may be displayed in the vehicle unless in accordance with TfL requirements.”