The Progressive Safe System – Do You Need One?
From October 28th 2024 HGVs within Greater London will be obligated to abide by the Direct Vision Standards updated requirements. Whilst the date is over a year away, the updated legislation will create updates for your HGV fleet.
We’ve compiled all of the information needed for you to evaluate whether your HGV fleet requires a Progressive Safe System (PSS) below.
STEP 1– UNDERSTAND YOUR OPERATING REGION
The ‘DVS Zone’, created by TFL (Transport For London), covers the entirety of Greater London and its immediate surrounding areas. If your fleet operates within this parameter, TFL advises operators to check their HGV’s current star rating and take any needed actions as soon as possible to acquire the direct vision safety permit.
It’s important to consider the possibility that any of your vehicles could need to travel into or around Greater London, even on a single occasion. Failing to prepare for this could lead to substantial penalties or even being denied entry to the capital with your HGV due to non-compliance.
STEP 2 – IS DVS APPLICABLE TO YOUR FLEET TYPE?
DVS is only applicable to certain vehicles, check the table below to see if your fleet needs to abide by the regulations and requires a Direct Vision Standard permit.
| VEHICLE TYPES EXEMPT FROM DVS | |
|---|---|
| A Vehicle Being Towed | Fully Exempt |
| A vehicle with No Bodywork Fitted AND which is being towed/driven | Fully Exempt if being driven/towed (a) for a quality or safety check inspection by manufacturer/dealer; (b) to place where bodywork is to be fitted; (c) to premises of a dealer/distributor |
| Armed Forces Vehicles | Fully Exempt |
| Breakdown and Recovery Vehicles | Fully Exempt when dealing with an actual or perceived emergency in the region. |
| Emergency Services Vehicles | Fully Exempt |
| Historic Vehicles | Fully Exempt |
| Ministry of Defence Vehicles | Fully Exempt |
| Mobile Cranes | Fully Exempt |
| Showman's Vehicles | Fully Exempt |
| Specialist Gritting and Snow Plough Vehicles | Fully Exempt |
*The above vehicle types have total exemption from DVS requirements. For further information on the exemptions and specific guidance on your vehicle type, check out official TFL guidance here.
STEP 3– EVALUATE YOUR DVS STAR RATING
HGVs are assigned star-based ratings based on the driver’s visibility through the cab windows. This rating ranges from 0 (indicating poor visibility) to 5 (indicating excellent visibility). All HGVs have an ‘out-of-factory’ star rating which is based on the quality of vision before any retrofit safety tech is added. This is often reliant on manufacturing choices such as cab window sizes or mirror options.
The HGV star rating 2024 has been updated from previous years, now a minimum 3-star rating will be required. Even if your vehicle meets this requirement, applying for a complimentary safety permit online will remain obligatory.
Find your star rating here.
DOES YOUR HGV FLEET MEET THE ABOVE CRITERIA?
IF YES, THEN YOU REQUIRE A PROGRESSIVE SAFE SYSTEM KIT.
Here Are Your Next Steps
STEP 4 – SCHEDULE A PROGRESSIVE SAFE SYSTEM INSTALL FOR YOUR 0 – 2 STAR HGVs
It’s time to schedule your PSS install. The DVS Progressive Safe System for HGVs is a technology kit created to retrofit on a low star rated vehicle in order to increase its indirect vision and meet the necessary 3-star rating.
DVS Compliant Vehicle Cameras and Systems
Exeros Technologies have a number of DVS CCTV Solutions that will help HGV fleet operators meet the Direct Vision Standard (Phase 2).
The PSS kits on offer range from meeting to exceeding the 3-star minimum depending on what your personal fleet needs are.
- Our Blind Spot Detection Systems – Learn More
- Our AI 360 Bird’s Eye HD Camera Technology “AI SkEye View” – Learn More
- All paired with our transformative Video Telematics platforms for easy fleet management – Learn More
For further guidance on DVS, check out our page here – or simply get in touch with us on dvs@exeros-tech.com
STEP 5 – SECURE YOUR DVS PERMIT
We strongly recommend initiating the HGV safety permit application process without delay. To kick-start your application, fill in your details on the online platform here, to secure your free DVS safety permit.
For those within the 0-2 star category, coordinating the installation of a Safe System with Exeros Technologies is an option, followed by proceeding with the safety permit application.
