What is the Direct Vision Standard?

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From October 28, 2024, all HGVs over 12 tonnes operating in Greater London must have complied with the updated Direct Vision Standard (DVS) regulations. To continue operating legally, vehicles with a zero, one, or two-star rating must have installed a Progressive Safe System (PSS) to qualify for an HGV safety permit.

Before entering and operating in most of Greater London, operators of lorries above 12 tonnes gross vehicle weight are required to get a safety permit under the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) and HGV safety permit schemes for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). If not, a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) can be sent to you.

DVS Kit E-Mirror Advanced Kit

Why do I need an HGV safety permit?

MOIS for DVS

The Mayor of London's Vision Zero plan aims to eradicate all fatalities and severe injuries on the city's transport system by 2041, and it includes the Direct Vision Standard and HGV Safety Permit Scheme.

The amount that an HGV driver can see straight through their cab windows is measured by the DVS. A star grade ranging from zero (restricted) to five (excellent) is used to represent the degree of risk to vulnerable road users, including cyclists and pedestrians.

London's Direct Vision Standard criteria are evolving. Beginning on October 28, 2024, heavy goods vehicles weighing more than 12 tonnes will be required to operate in Greater London under the Progressive Safe System or have a three-star certification, thereby enhancing the safety of all road users.

What’s Included in a DVS Kit?

A DVS kit ensures your vehicle meets the Progressive Safe System (PSS) requirements. It includes:

Blind Spot Information System (BSIS): Full coverage of the nearside blind spot to detect vulnerable road users.
Moving Off Information System (MOIS): Alerts drivers to nearby pedestrians and cyclists when the vehicle starts moving.
Class V & VI Mirrors or Camera Monitoring System (CMS): Enhances visibility on the front and sides of the vehicle.
Side Under-Run Protection: Safety bars installed on both sides (if practical) to prevent accidents.
Audible Turn Warnings: Alerts cyclists and pedestrians when the vehicle is turning.
External Warning Signage: Clearly visible signs to notify other road users of blind spots and turning hazards.

DVS Kit for London Permits

How to Get Ready for DVS 2024

If your HGV has a zero, one, or two-star rating, your current HGV safety permit will have expired at midnight on October 27, 2024. To legally operate in Greater London, you must install a DVS-compliant kit before applying for a new permit.

VIEW DVS KITS – Ensure compliance with the latest DVS regulations by installing an approved Progressive Safe System kit today. The AIDA Systems DVS Upgrade Kit is available for you to purchase and install, or with an installation service from AIDA.

Requirements for an HGV Safety Permit

All lorries over 12 tonnes (GVW) entering or operating in Greater London must possess a valid HGV safety permit before using the area in order to avoid obtaining a PCN, regardless of the operator's judgement that the vehicle satisfies the regulations.

The vehicle's star rating is set at the time of manufacturing and cannot be changed with aftermarket equipment, so it cannot be changed. In cases where a vehicle's star rating is lower than what is required for it to operate in London, the Progressive Safe System must be installed in order to compensate for poor direct vision.

The majority of Greater London is covered by the HGV Safety Permit Scheme, which operates 24/7 365 days.

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Progressive Safe System

Requirement 1: Starting on October 28, 2024, HGVs with ratings lower than three stars will have to install the Progressive Safe System. Below is a summary of the seven requirements that comprise the Progressive Safe System. Retrofitted Blind Spot and Moving Off Information Systems for the vehicle must fulfil the performance standards outlined in the PSS technical specifications rather than the UN guidelines directly.

Requirement 2: The front and nearside of the vehicle must be equipped with Class V and VI mirrors, a CMS that replaces the mirrors, or a combination of both.

Requirement 3: In order to identify vulnerable road users, a blind spot information system needs to guarantee complete coverage down the nearside of rigid vehicles. They cannot become active in connection with stationary cars or roadside furniture. This is to avoid collisions when making a left turn.

Requirement 4: When a vehicle takes off from stillness, it must have a Moving Off Information System (MOIS) installed in front to alert the driver to the presence of a vulnerable road user and avoid collisions in the front blind spot area.

Requirement 5: Unless it is impractical, both sides of the vehicle must have side under-run protection installed.

Requirement 6: When a vehicle is turning left, or right for cars with left-hand drive, audible warnings must be installed to provide vulnerable users of the road enough notice. This ensures that every car is able to alert other cars to an impending move.

Requirement 7: To give a clear visual notice of the hazards surrounding the vehicle, external warning signage must be mounted on vehicles. According to our operator's instructions, this ought to be very readable.

The updated DVS regulations require HGVs below three stars to install a Progressive Safe System before entering Greater London.

The DVS safety permit requirement applies to most of Greater London, operating 24/7, 365 days a year.

Your permit will be valid for vehicles with a star rating of 3-5 until October 25, 2030, or for ten years, whichever comes first. Vehicles with a DVS Safe System compliance grade of zero stars will receive a permit valid until October 25, 2024.

If additional safety elements, or so-called "safe system improvements," are not introduced, vehicles that do not meet the DVS will be subject to a £550 Penalty Charge Notice per day. The permit programme will be active 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. The permit application process is free of charge.

The Progressive Safe System (PSS) is an upgraded safety system that reduces blind spots, ensuring HGVs below three stars meet DVS 2024 compliance.

Failure to comply with DVS regulations can result in a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), with fines imposed per non-compliant entry.

If purchasing a new HGV in 2024 or 2025, check if it meets the three-star minimum rating or install a DVS-compliant kit.

Yes, these consist of a warning sticker, an auditory warning signal, sensors, and a camera monitor system.

The safe system incorporates technologies that are commonly found in specifications, like CLOCS and FORS. Sensors, camera monitoring systems, and audio alerts fall under this category.

TfL held consultations in February 2023 over the DVS Progressive Safe System requirements, and these updates are scheduled for publication in the summer of 2023. Every vehicle with ratings of 0 to 2 stars must adhere to the DVS Progressive Safe System as of October 2024. It is suggested that this will comprise sensors for articulated vehicles that need to guarantee complete coverage of the nearside of the tractor unit and semi-trailer, sensors for rigid vehicles that do not activate in response to roadside furniture or stopped cars, and a Moving Off Information System (MOIS) or front-detection system.

At the moment, you can satisfy DVS criteria without installing indirect vision equipment if you purchase a vehicle with a star rating of 1 or above. But in 2024, the rating will rise to three stars, and all vehicles with ratings of zero, one, or two stars will have to adhere to the DVS Progressive Safety System.

Yes, all HGVs over 12 tonnes operating in Greater London must have a valid DVS safety permit.