A three-step guide to Direct Vision Standard compliance

The Direct Vision Standard is part of the Mayor of London's Vision Zero plan to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on London's transport network by 2041.

The DVS measures how much an HGV driver can see directly through their cab windows. This is then expressed as a star rating from zero (limited) to five (good).

FROM 28 OCTOBER ALL 0,1 AND 2 STAR RATED HGVS OPERATING IN GREATER LONDON SHALL REQUIRE A PROGRESSIVE SAFE SYSTEM (PSS) TO BE FITTED.

Non-compliance could leave operators liable for a penalty charge notice of up to £550.

To help dispel confusion surrounding the new regulations, including the recently announced ‘grace’ period for operators, Emma Poore, Fleetclear’s Sales Manager for the Southeast has put together this straightforward guide to achieving DVS compliance.

A new safety standard for Greater London

Heavy Goods Vehicles (vehicles over 12t) require an HGV safety permit to operate in Greater London. From 28 October, only HGVs rated 3 stars and above, or those fitted with a Progressive Safe System (PSS)will be permitted on London’s streets.

The star rating of a vehicle is dependent on its design and is determined at the point of manufacture. If you’re not sure what the star rating of a vehicle is, you can contact the vehicle manufacturer for clarification or use TfL’s online tool to check the permit status of your vehicle.

Transport for London (TfL) has published an Operators Guide to the required PSS equipment, and further information on exemptions, such as emergency service vehicles, is available on the TfL website.

3 steps to compliance   

🟠 Step 1

Check your vehicle’s star rating and apply for a grace period if needed

If your vehicle has a star-rating lower than 3, you need to have a PSS installed. If your vehicles require a Progressive Safe System and this won’t be fitted be before the deadline, you can apply to Transport for London for a limited grace period.

To do this you need to be able to provide proof that you have arranged for the vehicle to have a PSS fitted as soon as possible. A grace period application must be submitted for each individual vehicle in your fleet through the TfL operations team.

🟠 Step 2

Book NOW for PSS installation.

Fleetclear’s comprehensive Progressive Safe System (PSS) offers a straight forward solution to meet the DVS compliance standards and enhance the safety of your fleet. It encompasses the required Moving Off Information System (MOIS) and the Blind Spot Information System (BSIS) to ensure your vehicles are fully DVS compliant.

Fleetclear can help you spread the cost of fitting the equipment, and minimise Vehicle Off Road (VOR) time, by agreeing a sustainable installation schedule based around your operational needs.

To book your vehicle(s) in for PSS installation you can contact me directly ep@fleetclear.com. Alternatively, you can call our team on 01386630 155.

🟠 Step 3

Provide TfL with proof of planned PSS installation

Once you have booked in to have your vehicle(s) fitted with our PSS, we will provide you with proof of a planned PSS installation, which can be submitted to TfL’s operations team as supporting evidence for your grace period application.

Once installation is complete our team will supply all the materials needed to prove a vehicle is compliant in a format which can be submitted to TfL.

These include:

·       Certificate of installation  

·       Certificate of compliance

·       Photographic proof of installation

If you have questions, call us!

Fleetclear are here to help. If you have any questions about DVS compliance, call us on 01386 630 155 or email ep@fleetclear.com

About Emma

Emma Poore is Fleetclear’s Sales Manager for the Southeast.

She has an in-depth knowledge of local authority fleet operations and prior to joining Fleetclear was Municipal Account Manager for one of the country’s largest FORD dealerships, focusing mainly on Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) fleets.

Emma can be contacted on ep@fleetclear.com

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