- It is now just a few short days until Direct Vision Standard (DVS) and HGV Permit Scheme fines come into force. What must hauliers and HGV Operators do to avoid receiving Penalty Charge Notices?
- The Direct Vision Standard (DVS) is a new Transport for London (TfL) HGV Safety Permit scheme for Greater London.
- The first phase of the scheme requires every HGV over 12 tonnes (GVW) to have a valid HGV permit to enter the Greater London area (comprising all London boroughs, a much larger area than the Congestion Charge) or receive a £550 fine.
Based upon a combination of factors, each HGV is given a ‘star rating’ of between zero and five stars. Vehicles with one star and above can apply for an HGV permit free of charge. Zero-starred vehicles need to retrofit elements of an approved mandatory ‘DVS Safe System’ to make them eligible to apply for an HGV Permit.
Still time to act
If you have not to date applied for your HGV Safety Permit then all is not lost, but you need to act fast.
Firstly, check your vehicle’s star rating on the TfL website. If your vehicles are compliant (star rating of one or more), and you have applied for (and had issued) a permit, you have a green light and should not receive any fines. However, you may find yourself in one of the following situations:
Your vehicles are compliant (i.e receive a star rating of one to five), but you have not yet applied for a permit.
You must apply for a free HGV permit before 1 March or receive a fine (£550) each time your vehicle(s) enter the Greater London area.
Applying for the permit for each vehicle (with photographic evidence) will add it to TfL’s allow list, which gives a 90-day grace period while the permit is processed.
Your vehicles are not yet compliant (i.e. receive a zero-star rating on TFL’s website) and therefore you have not applied for a permit.
You must take action before 1 March to ensure your vehicles are on the allow list and receive the 90-day grace period
Book your vehicle in now with CameraMatics to be fitted with the relevant DVS Safety System
We will provide you with confirmation of your appointment which you must submit to TfL via email by 1 March.
Once TfL has reviewed and confirmed your request your vehicle(s) will be added to the allow list and be eligible for the 90-day grace period.
Safety first
DVS is primarily driven by improving the safety of all road users. London has a high number of collisions involving HGVs, pedestrians, and cyclists. Between 2018 and 2020, HGVs were involved in 41 per cent of collisions where people cycling were killed and 19 per cent of collisions where a pedestrian was killed.
TfL aims to reduce this as part of the Mayor of London’s Vision Zero plan.
The DVS scheme was originally due to begin in October 2020, but was delayed owing to the pandemic. From 2024, vehicles will be required to be rated at least three-stars to receive a permit.
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