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.
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.
If you currently possess a zero, one, or two star HGV safety permit, it will expire at midnight on October 27, 2024. For your zero-one or two-star car to be used in London starting on October 28, 2024, the Progressive Safe System must be installed.
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.
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.