Private hire drivers are calling on councils to ditch outdated magnet signage rules after several were taken off the road over the Grand National weekend at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool.
Numerous drivers reported being suspended by local authorities for failing to display company-branded magnets or stickers — including those working for Uber and other app-based platforms. One driver, who spoke to YouTuber Driver Matty, said he was removed from service on Friday due to a missing magnet, despite later proving he had both in his possession. Although the council reinstated him for work on Saturday, his Uber app remained deactivated through to Monday, causing him to miss out on an entire weekend of earnings.
“It’s ridiculous,” the driver said. “I did everything right. The council cleared me, but Uber didn’t switch me back on. That’s a full weekend’s work lost.”
This isn’t an isolated case. Several drivers operating around Aintree reported similar issues, with enforcement officers targeting vehicles that didn’t visibly display the correct signage, even when all other licensing requirements were met — including valid plates and in-app driver verification.
Many in the trade argue that magnet rules no longer reflect how the industry works today. With the rise of ride-hailing apps, passengers now receive the driver’s name, vehicle registration, and photo before pickup. Some feel physical magnets are redundant in an era of digital bookings and real-time GPS tracking.
“It’s an old-school rule that needs updating,” another driver said. “We’ve got plates on the car, ID inside, and every passenger sees who we are on the app. Magnets don’t make the journey safer — they just make it easier for enforcement to issue fines.”
The enforcement at Aintree has reignited debate across the private hire trade, with calls for councils to modernise their licensing rules in line with the way passengers actually use taxi and PHV services today.
What do you think? Are magnets a necessary safety measure or an outdated burden on working drivers? Let us know and get in touch with DM News.
