Monday (28 October) sees the enforcement of the next phase of London’s Direct Vision Standard (DVS) and the industry’s main business groups have urged operators to check whether their vehicles require a permit.

Companies running HGVs over 12 tonnes will need to demonstrate their vehicles have a three star safety rating, as specified by Transport for London (TfL), or fit a progressive safety system.

A failure to meet either criteria means hauliers risk being hit with £550 penalty charge notices and being unable to operate in the capital.

If installation works for the PSS cannot be undertaken until after the enforcement commences, operators can apply for more time to allow the work to be booked, although this must be scheduled before 28 October.

Logistics UK said no applications will be considered after 23.59 on 27 October.

After lobbying from the haulage industry, a grace period to enable operators to buy, fit and test the new safety equipment to comply with the PSS now runs from 28 October until 4 May.

In a joint statement, the RHA and Logistics UK said: “With 216,000 vehicles in scope of the new DVS Phase 2 regulations, operators need to ensure their vehicles are compliant ahead of the 28 October deadline.

“TfL has been clear from the outset that there will be leeway on the deadline for implementation, so it is up to operators to ensure they have installation works scheduled and, if necessary, have applied for the grace period in plenty of time, to ensure the sector can continue to deliver for London, its businesses and its consumers.”

Last month TfL said it was fast tracking hauliers’ bulk applications for DVS grace period permits, but only for those applying for more than 100 HGVs.

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