Are fleets ready for the Direct Vision Standard and HGV Permit Scheme?
The new Direct Vision Standard (DVS) and HGV Permit Scheme will require all HGVs over 12 tonnes GVW to hold a valid permit in order to operate or even enter the Greater London area. As part of the scheme, vehicles will be given a start rating based on how much the driver can see directly through their cab window and anyone who is driving an HGV within Greater London without a permit will face a penalty charge notice of up to £550.
The question is… Are fleet companies ready for these changes?
According to a recent survey commissioned by CameraMatics, the answer to that question is no. With more than 700 fleet managers surveyed, less than one in four said that they felt ready for the schemes introduction.
Responses to the survey were then categorised by whether the fleet is based in the Greater London area, or elsewhere.
From the Greater London based respondents, only 22.2% said that their HGVs were ready, whilst 14.7% said some of the vehicles were ready and 26.9% were unsure. However, more than a third (36.9%) said that none of their HGVs are ready for the scheme.
The responses from those based outside of Greater London were similar, with only 20.1% saying their HGVs were ready, 12.7% saying some were and 28% being unsure. Again, the highest proportion of responses at 39.1% said that none of their HGVs were ready.
Although the responses are alarming, Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London announced in April 2020 that the enforcement of DVS would be postponed until at least the end of February 2021 with everything that is going on at the moment. But, although the enforcement of the scheme is delayed and vehicles will not be fined, the new legislation will be in place as planned from 26th October 2020.
The Technical Director of CameraMatics, Steve Warne said: “It is concerning that so few HGV fleet managers are reporting their vehicles are ready for the Direct Vision Standard and HGV Permit Scheme. Some operators will find their vehicles are already compliant and simply need to apply online for their permit, but others will be given a zero-star rating. In this instance, a Safe System will need to be retrofitted to each vehicle so the operator can apply for, and receive, a permit.”
He went on to say: “I would urge companies not to leave this until the last minute. March 2021 and enforcement of the new rules will be here before we know it and the run-up to the festive season is always a busy time for the freight and logistics industry. Our advice to fleet managers who are unsure or concerned would be to get the ball rolling now.”
Operators can apply for an HGV Safety Permit on the TfL website here: tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/dvs-safety-permit-application/.
