Will other private hire vehicle licensing authorities follow Wolverhampton's lead in removing operator signage?
City of Wolverhampton Council are the latest licensing authority in the private hire vehicle (PHV) industry to ban operator signage on PHVs.
This move is said to align with government guidelines aimed at curbing the rise of fake taxis and enhancing passenger safety. But as Wolverhampton takes this bold step, questions arise about whether other licensing authorities will now adopt similar measures to stay competitive in the licensing market.
As of 1 August, Wolverhampton PHV drivers will be prohibited from displaying livery signage on their vehicles. The change comes after a three-month consultation period with industry stakeholders, during which 93% of over 2,250 respondents expressed support for the new rule. The overwhelming backing suggests that the trade sees clear benefits in the change, including reduced vehicle vandalism and less confusion between legitimate PHVs and taxis.
The council’s initiative primarily seeks to prevent unlicensed drivers from masquerading as legitimate PHV operators by creating fake signage. Nationally, there have been troubling reports of individuals using imitation signage to illegally ply for hire, sometimes leading to dangerous encounters for unsuspecting passengers. By removing external operator branding, Wolverhampton aims to make it easier for passengers to verify their bookings through licence plates and direct communication with operators.
While this step aims to enhance security, it also brings potential implications for the broader PHV landscape. Wolverhampton is the second largest PHV licensing authority in the UK, trailing only Transport for London (TfL), which has long maintained a ban on operator signage.
Wolverhampton’s decision could make it a more attractive option for PHV drivers, as the absence of branding may reduce the likelihood of their vehicles being targeted for vandalism. However, it may also pose challenges for enforcement officers tasked with identifying and regulating PHVs, potentially making vehicles harder to spot.
The move raises an important question: will other licensing authorities follow Wolverhampton’s lead? The adoption of similar measures could see a nationwide shift in how PHVs are regulated, but the impact on enforcement and the broader trade remains to be seen.
