Getting ready for changes to London’s Direct Vision Standard

Transport for London (TfL) is launching a new safety standard for HGVs of over 12 tonne gross vehicle weight entering and operating in the capital later this year.

The ’Progressive Safe System’ (PSS) which goes live from 28 October will be required for HGVs rated below three stars. If you hold an existing HGV safety permit for a zero, one or two star rated HGV it will expire at midnight on 27 October.

We are clear that safety on our roads is paramount but we are concerned about the timescales TfL has imposed to ensure businesses can realistically comply with the practical and operational challenges. They also need to consider the time it will take for operators to subsequently obtain and have the equipment fitted.

We share many of the industry’s concerns:

• Regarding the practical implementation of the criteria
• The need for retrofitting as opposed to the lifecycle of the vehicle
• The grace period
• Affordability
• The ability to maintain the current level of service to London on a sustained basis.

On Thursday this week (1 February) we will be issuing the current criteria detailing what operators will need to do to be compliant ahead of the October deadline.

We are collaborating with other trade associations including Logistics UK and the Association of International Courier & Express Services – collectively lobbying TfL and London Councils on behalf of affected operators.

Calls to action:

1) Complete a TfL survey expressing your readiness for the 28 October changes. The deadline is Monday 5 February.

2) Complete 10 questions we’ve produced in collaboration with Logistics UK and the Association of International Couriers & Express Services – Joint Industry DVS Survey.

This follows up on TfL’s survey to gather more information to build a full picture on our sector’s ability to meet the new DVS PSS requirements. Answers to this joint survey will be anonymised and collated to inform the conversations the three trade bodies are having with TfL. Please respond by 6pm on Friday 23 February.

More information on TfL’s DVS.

3) If you have a depot or premises based in London, please write to your local London councillor using our template letter:

1. Go to: https://www.writetothem.com/.

2. Enter your business or home postcode (this must be in London).

3. Click the link on the right-hand side – ‘Write to all your councillors’.

4. You will see a blank box. Copy and paste the text from the template letter into the box. If you would like to personalise the message to add your own experience, please do.

5. Add your name at the bottom under ‘Yours sincerely’.

6. Fill in your address details (this is mandatory).

7. Click ‘Preview and Send’.

8. Click ‘I’m happy, send it’.

9. Check your email / junk folder for an email from WriteToThem. Click ‘Send the message to my Councillors’. You must do this final step, or your message won’t be sent.