Transport for London (TfL) has agreed to extend the grace period for implementing the Direct Vision Standard (DVS).
Introduced in 2019, with enforcement starting in March 2021, DVS seeks to improve drivers’ vision through the cab windows of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) above 12 tonnes to prevent collisions caused by limited visibility.
All HGVs entering Greater London will be required to meet a three-star safety rating from October 28.
Lorries that fall short of the new standard will need to install new advanced warning systems referred to as the Progressive Safe System (PSS) to obtain a permit from TfL.
However, many fleets are concerned about the availability and reliability of equipment to update vehicles, while others are concerned about the timeframe available to install new equipment.
Councillors met last week at the London Councils’ transport and environment committee’s AGM, to discuss whether to give fleets more time to adapt their vehicles.
It was considered whether to grant no extension, which road safety campaigners have argued for, to grant a 12-month extension, which the industry has called for, or to accept the six-month delay that TfL has proposed, with the new rules being implemented from May 4, 2025.
Following the meeting, TfL officials have now agreed to extend the grace period from three to six months.
Essentially the grace period is to allow vehicles which can prove they have a PSS fitting booked to continue operating without the PSS fitted until their fitting date, as long as that date is within the ‘Grace Period’ of six months or less from the beginning of enforcement.
Enforcement would begin from May 4, 2025 – an extension of the original three months.
Richard Smith, managing director of the Road Haulage Association (RHA), said: “We have collaborated extensively with the industry to better understand its challenges to be able to comply to a new standard with short timescales.
“Our most recent survey revealed that 57% of respondents said they weren’t confident of being able to install compliant equipment in time.
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