BIFA has been highlighting the implementation of the Direct Vision Standard to its Members, which is part of the Mayor of London’s vision to eliminate all deaths and major injuries from the London Transport Network by 2041.
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 obtain a safety permit before entering and operating in most of Greater London. Otherwise, you may receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). There has been considerable confusion regarding the scheme and a distinct lack of clarity regarding its precise requirements.
One point that it is essential to highlight is that these requirements are applicable to all vehicles operating in London, regardless of where they are based/operate from.
The ’Progressive Safe System’ (PSS) which goes live from 28 October will be required for HGVs rated below three stars. If you hold an existing HGV safety permit for a zero, one or two star rated HGV, it will expire at midnight on 27 October 2024. We are clear that safety on our roads is paramount, but we are concerned about the timescales Transport for London (TfL) has imposed to ensure businesses can realistically comply with the practical and operational challenges. They also need to consider the time it will take for operators to subsequently obtain and have the equipment fitted.
Action 1 – The online survey
BIFA has been working with other trade associations, primarily the Road Haulage Association on this subject. We would encourage Members to complete the online survey – Joint Industry DVS Survey.
By completing the survey, it will be possible to build a full picture of the road transport sectors ability to meet the new DVS PSS requirements and will allow an analysis based on fact to present this picture to TfL.
Please take the time answer the survey questions, it will only take a few minutes, but will provide us with a wealth of information to pass to Transport for London. The survey closes at 6pm on Friday 23 February so please ensure that you complete it at your earliest convenience.
Action 2 – For those Members based in London
The second request that we have is specifically directed towards those Members, which have a depot or premises based in London. We ask you to write to your local council using the following template letter, then complete the following actions:
- Go to: https://www.writetothem.com/ to find the contact details of your local councillors
- Enter your business or home postcode (this must be in London).
- Click the link on the right-hand side – ‘Write to all your councillors’.
- You will see a blank box. Copy and paste the text from the template letter into the box. If you would like to personalise the message to add your own experience, please do.
- Add your name at the bottom under ‘Yours sincerely’.
- Fill in your address details (this is mandatory).
- Click ‘Preview and Send’.
- Click ‘I’m happy, send it’.
- Check your email / junk folder for an email from WriteToThem. Click ‘Send the message to my Councillors’. You must do this final step, or your message won’t be sent.
We appreciate that this may be a big ask. However, as you are aware the changes to the DVS PSS are substantial, and will generate additional costs to your business, if you send vehicles over 12 tonnes into London. Please accept our deepest thanks if you have already completed the survey, your assistance is very much appreciated.
