The Direct Vision Standard is changing.

As part of their Vision Zero plan, TFL has announced that in October 2024 an updated DVS will be implemented across and around Greater London.

Official changes have now been announced.

To help fleet managers prepare for the update, here’s our full guide on the changes and how to navigate them.

What is DVS?

The Direct Vision Standard legislation calls for all vehicles over 12 tonnes to obtain a safety permit when operating in, travelling through, or travelling into Greater London. The legislation was launched in 2019 by Transport For London and enforced in March, 2021, with the aim of eradicating deaths and serious road injuries within London by 2041.

Since the legislation’s launch, TFL has given permits to over 200,000 HGVs.

The aim of DVS is very clear; standardise safety equipment on vehicles and make London’s roads safer.

Specifically, the legislation targets blind spots, a well-known issue on larger vehicles, especially HGVs. Blind spots have been declared one of the biggest contributory factors in HGV accidents involving vulnerable road users (VRUs), which in most cases are unfortunately fatal.

To combat this issue, HGVs are rated on their vision quality and are only awarded a permit if the driver visibility levels meet at least minimum requirements.

How did the Star Rating Change? DVS Changes 2020 vs 2024

The legislation rates HGVs on the vision quality of their vehicles. The better the visibility from the cab windows, the higher the vehicle’s star rating.

  • 2020 – Oct 2024:
    • The star rating is on a scale from 1 star (lowest) to 5 stars (highest). Up until October 2024, vehicles require a minimum of a 1-star rating to obtain a permit.
  • October 2024 onwards:
    • As of October 2024, HGVs will need a minimum three star rating to obtain the permit that allows them to operate within Greater London.

The aim of this is to raise the bar of safety standards for all large vehicles and subsequently decrease road accident rates.

DVS Low & High star vehicle Illustrations. (accreditations: TFL)

High vs low star rated vehicles according to DVS 2024 updates. Illustration from TFL.

 

How Do I Check my HGV’s DVS Star Rating?

  • Option 1:
    • All HGVs have an ‘out-of-factory’ star rating, that can be obtained through your vehicle’s manufacturer. By providing the chassis number (CN), the manufacturer will provide this star rating both to TFL and yourselves.
  • Option 2:
  • Option 3:

N.B.

  • It is important to note that any additional safety equipment installed on the vehicle, is NOT considered in the star rating. 
  • Permits are granted per HGV vehicle and not on an entire fleet.

 

DVS 2024: Achieving the Three Star Rating

The new ‘Progressive Safety System‘ (PSS) is your key to DVS 2024 compliance.

If your HGV is rated, zero, one or two stars, you will need to fit a Progressive Safe System in your vehicle, in order to operate in Greater London.

 

  1. FRONT BLIND SPOT: A Moving Off Information System (MOIS) fitted to the front of the vehicle with active alerts warning driver.
  2. **In line with Technical Specs for PSS provided by TFL. Systems complying with BSIS UN 159 will meet requirements.
  3. NEARSIDE BLIND SPOT #1: A Blind Spot Information System (BSIS) with active alerts warning driver.
    **In line with Technical Specs for PSS provided by TFL.     Systems complying with BSIS UN 151 will meet requirements.
  4. NEARSIDE BLIND SPOT #2: A nearside Camera Monitoring System, or Class V and Class VI mirrors, completely eliminating all remaining nearside blind spots, if any.
  5. AUDIBLE ALERTS: Audible vehicle manoeuvring warning warning cyclists and pedestrians when a vehicle is turning left.
  6. SIDE UNDER-RUN PROTECTION: Fitted to both sides of the vehicle. Must comply with UN Reg 73.
  7. EXTERNAL BLIND SPOT WARNING STICKERS

 

N.B. The chosen PSS System will ONLY pass IF street furniture is NOT detected when tested. In light of this, We HIGHLY recommend the use of AI Camera Technology.

Applying for your DVS Permit

Obtaining your DVS Permit after the installation of a PSS Kit marks the final stage in achieving DVS 2024 compliance.

The process involves simply inputting your vehicle information into the online TFL platform here. Once you’ve completed the necessary steps and submitted your details, your vehicle will be considered DVS-compliant for the next decade.

 

Penalty Charges if you Don’t Comply

Non-compliance with DVS in Greater London results in a penalty charge of £550 per day, which may be lowered to £275 if paid within two weeks.

The fine is expected to rise in 2024, as TFL’s safety standard requirements increase.

 

Need Help with DVS? We Can Help

Here at Exeros, we strongly advocate for the progression and improvement of road safety. We believe in providing fleet operators with choice as to what technology they would like to use to achieve compliance but most importantly, overall safety.

We have a number of different PSS Kits meeting and exceeding DVS requirements.

We strongly recommend the use of AI camera technology over purely ultrasonic and radar sensors, due to the significant increase in overall accuracy and safety to fleets.  We appreciate however that some fleets might already have some equipment fitted onto their vehicles or might require a different approach.

 

To find out more how we can help, or simply to find out the latest with regards DVS 2024: