Transport for London’s newly updated Direct Vision Standard (DVS) has ignored industry concerns, leaving hauliers who need to upgrade their trucks to meet the new criteria facing short lead-in times, a lack of available kit and dire shortage of qualified fitters.

The warning comes from the RHA and Logistics UK which have accused Transport for London (TfL) of ignoring industry concerns, making it “impossible” for the industry to meet the October 2024 deadline when the new standard kicks in.

The new standard, published today (5 September), sees the minimum one star safety rating - which currently allows trucks to enter London - raised to three stars on 28 October 2024.

Operators whose vehicles do not meet the three star rating will need to make their vehicles safer by fitting TfL’s set of vehicle safety measures, dubbed the Progressive Safety System (PSS), by the 28 October deadline to receive a DVS permit.

To give the freight industry enough time to obtain, fit and validate new equipment, TfL is granting a grace period for vehicles that have registered with TfL by 28 October 2024 and can demonstrate they have taken steps to arrange for the fitting of a PSS.

Read more

In a joint statement RHA and Logistics UK warned that the changes to the scheme will “place a huge onus on operators, with no regulatory oversight from TfL and no accreditation process for the new regulations.” 

Both organisations also raised concern that TfL has not made clear why existing kits, which operators fitted in good faith to meet the current standards, may need to be replaced under the new requirements

“Hauliers need certainty to understand what they are expected to do to ensure they plan ahead and invest in the right equipment. They also need assurances that further changes will not be necessary once the new equipment is installed.

“Manufacturers and suppliers will also need to understand what their customers will be required to do to ensure that they can service that demand,” the statement added.