From 1 March 2021, the minimum DVS rating will be one star to enter or operate in Greater London and this will then increase to a minimum of three stars in 2024.
If your vehicle does not meet the DVS star rating or is not rated, you will need to meet the ‘Safe System’ requirements to be granted a Direct Vision permit.
It will be unlawful to operate a HGV above 12 tonnes GVW in Greater London without a HGV safety permit.
The DVS scheme objectively measures a driver’s direct view through the windows of a HGV cab. This is communicated as a star rating from zero (poor) to five (excellent), which indicates the level of risk to people walking and cycling in close proximity of the vehicle.
The DVS Safe System is a series of vehicle safety measures fitted after point of manufacture.
No specific make or brand of Direct Vision Standard equipment or technology will be mandated as part of the Safe System.
You can apply for a DVS London safety permit, free of charge on the Transport for London DVS website.
Every vehicle must meet a minimum DVS star rating of one star, unless exempt from the Direct Vision scheme.
Where this rating is one star or above, fleet operators will be able to apply for a safety permit with no further mandatory action required.
TfL DVS Permits will not be automatically issued; fleet operators will still be required to apply for a permit when the application process opens, or a new vehicle is procured.
For more information on TfL DVS star ratings and vehicle manufacturer contact details, visit tfl.gov.uk/direct-vision-HGVs
Operators of vehicles requiring a permit will need to apply to TfL. Permits will be issued electronically only, no certificate or hard copy permit will be issued.
Enforcement will be carried out by comparing the TfL database of vehicle registrations with valid permits with the automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera captures of vehicles entering London.
The Direct Vision Standard start date was the 1 March 2021. A HGV found to be in breach of the permit scheme, not adhering to DVS compliance will be issued a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of up to £550 (reduced by 50 per cent if paid within 14 days). TfL will also have the ability to revoke or suspend a permit if a vehicle that has been granted a permit is later found to be in breach of the permit terms.
From 26 October 2020, if your vehicle is above 12 tonnes GVW and enters the Greater London area you will require a HGV permit. The only vehicles exempt are cars, vans, buses and coaches.
You can check whether TFL holds a star rating for your vehicle at tfl.gov.uk/direct-vision-permit
If the star rating is not available you can contact your vehicle manufacturer and provide the VIN number of your HGV. Vehicle manufacturers will advise the star rating.
You can apply for a permit by visiting tfl.gov.uk/direct-vision-permit
You will need to provide vehicle, operator and contact details. If your vehicle is zero star rated you will need to upload photos of the Safe System Equipment. Once the application has been submitted it will be reviewed and either accepted or rejected.
If your vehicle is one to five star rated an electronic permit will be granted.
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