The Direct Vision Standard (DVS) and HGV safety permit scheme for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) requires operators of lorries over 12 tonnes gross vehicle weight to hold a safety permit before entering and operating in most of Greater London.
A failure to do so may result in the operator receiving a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).
The scheme is part of the Mayor of London’s Vision Zero plan to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries on London’s transport network by 2041.
The DVS assesses how much an HGV driver can view directly through their cab windows. This is expressed as a star rating from zero (limited) to five (good) direct vision, which suggests the degree of risk to vulnerable road users.
All lorries over 12 tonnes (GVW) entering or operating in Greater London need to obtain a valid HGV safety permit before using the area to avoid receiving a PCN.
It is not possible to change the star rating of a vehicle, as this is determined at the point of manufacture and cannot be changed by aftermarket equipment. Fitting the Progressive Safe System is required to mitigate limited direct vision where vehicles are rated below the minimum star rating to operate in London.
The HGV Safety Permit Scheme covers most of Greater London and is in operation 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Applying for a permit is free of charge.
What is changing from 28 October 2024?
Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed those with an existing HGV safety permit for a zero, one or two-star rated HGV, need to be aware it will expire at midnight on 27 October 2024.
Heavy goods vehicles over 12 tonnes will need to have a three-star rating or fit the Progressive Safe System to operate in Greater London, from 28 October 2024.
What is the Progressive Safe System?
You can find full details of the Progressive Safe System in TfL’s DVS Operator’s guidance.
Below is a summary of the seven requirements that comprise the Progressive Safe System:
Requirement 1: A Camera Monitoring System (CMS) must be fitted to the nearside of the vehicle, to eliminate the remaining blind spot at the nearside. A CMS can also be used as an alternative to fitting Class V and VI mirrors.
Requirement 2: Class V and VI mirrors, or a CMS that replaces the mirrors, or a combination of both, must be fitted to the front and nearside of the vehicle.
Requirement 3: A Blind Spot Information System must ensure full coverage down the nearside of rigid vehicles to detect vulnerable road users. They must not activate in relation to roadside furniture or stationary vehicles. This aims to prevent left-turn collisions.
Requirement 4: A Moving Off Information System (MOIS) must be fitted to the front of a vehicle to warn the driver of the presence of a vulnerable road user and prevent collisions at the front blind spot zone when a vehicle moves off from rest.
Requirement 5: Side under-run protection must be fitted to both sides of the vehicle, except where this would not be practicable.
Requirement 6: Audible warnings must be fitted to provide an adequate warning to vulnerable road users when a vehicle is turning left, or right for left-hand drive vehicles. This makes sure that all vehicles can warn of an intended manoeuvre.
Requirement 7: External warning signage must be displayed on vehicles to provide clear visual warning of the hazards around the vehicle. Our operator’s guidance sets out that this must be clearly legible.
Enforcement and penalties
If an HGV is driven within most of Greater London without a valid permit, a penalty charge (PCN) of up to £550 may be imposed (reduced to £275 if paid within 14 days).
Click here to find out more information on the Transport for London website to make sure you are prepared.
Contact James Edes for guidance on related Transport Law matters.
This information was correct at the time of publishing of 10 June 2024.