We the undersigned licensed Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) drivers and vehicle proprietors operating under Sheffield City Council, write to express our strong objection to the proposal requiring permanent front door signage on licensed PHVs.

This proposal, in our considered view, is neither evidence-led nor proportionate, and fails to deliver any meaningful enhancement to the safety of passengers or drivers. On the contrary, it introduces a number of serious and unnecessary risks, while imposing an inflexible burden on drivers who are otherwise fully compliant with licensing obligations.

We draw attention to the following key concerns:

Existing enforcement and licensing frameworks already provide robust safeguards through driver vetting, vehicle inspections, council enforcement powers, and operator records. There is no clear evidence to suggest that permanent door signage contributes further to these protections.

Driver safety and personal security are placed at heightened risk. Permanent signage makes PHVs more easily identifiable at all times — including when drivers are off-duty, with family, or parked at home — exposing them to potential targeting, harassment, or anti-social behaviour.

Contrary to implications made, government guidance does not mandate permanent vehicle signage. The decision is left to local discretion, and best practice encourages a risk-based and flexible approach.

Crucially, this proposal appears to conflict with the Regulators’ Code 2014, which local authorities are bound to have regard to. Specifically:

■ 1. Regulators should carry out their activities in a way that supports those they regulate to comply and grow.

■ 1.1 Regulators should avoid imposing unnecessary regulatory burdens... and should assess whether similar outcomes could be achieved by less burdensome means.

In light of the above, we submit that permanent signage is an unnecessarily burdensome measure that disproportionately impacts drivers, particularly those operating independently or using their vehicles for dual purposes.

Should the Council be minded to proceed with a door signage requirement, we urge that it be strictly limited to non-permanent, magnetic signage — a balanced and widely accepted compromise that maintains visibility during working hours, while preserving driver safety and dignity at all other times.

We do, however, welcome the Council’s recent revision making Private Hire Operator (PHO) branding signage voluntary. This approach reflects both common sense and fairness, and we trust that the same principles will be applied to this wider signage proposal.

We therefore respectfully call upon Sheffield City Council to:

■ 1. Withdraw the proposal to mandate permanent front door signage on PHVs;

■ 2. If any signage is to be required, adopt a policy allowing for non-permanent, magnetic signage only;

■ 3. Ensure all regulatory decisions affecting licensed drivers are compliant with the Regulators’ Code, proportionate in nature, and developed in meaningful consultation with those directly impacted.