What is Direct Vision Standard (DVS)?

Direct Vision Standard (DVS), a safety standard set by Transport for London (TFL) requires all HGVs over 12 tonnes gross vehicle weight to attain a safety permit to enter or operate in Greater London. The scheme was finalised in March 2021 to improve the safety of all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

The Direct Vision Standard (DVS) focuses on the visibility of vulnerable road users (VRU) from the drivers view. The standard aims to reduce vehicle blind spots around an HGV where the level of risk to vulnerable road users, such as pedestrian and cyclists near the vehicle is particularly high.

The Direct Vision Standard is a part of the Mayor for London’s Vision Zero plan to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries by 2041 on London’s transport network.

From March 2021 all vehicles over 12T (some exceptions apply) gross vehicle weight require a DVS permit to operate in the DVS Zone, or risk a penalty notice from TfL.

Direct Vision Standard (DVS) Requirements

Action required to attain a DVS Safety Permit depends on the star rating of your vehicle.

From March 2021 vehicles with a star rating of 1 – 5 can obtain a permit with no modification. Vehicles with a star rating of 0 star will require the fitting of a Safe System before qualifying for their Safety Permit.

DVS permits are valid till 27th October 2024 and are free of charge.

From October 2024 Direct Vision requirements are changing

From 24 June 2024 vehicles with a star rating of 3 – 5 can obtain a permit with no modification. Vehicles with a star rating of 0 – 2 star will require the fitting of a Progressive Safe System before qualifying for their Safety Permit.

Existing DVS Safety Permits will become void on midnight of 27th October 2024. Every vehicle above 12 tonnes will have to reapply for a Safety Permit at this time. Vehicles rated 0 to 2 stars WILL require a Progressive Safe System fitted, regardless of existing DVS equipment or permit status to that date.

The Direct Vision Standard (DVS) for 2024 is changing. Commencing on October 24, 2024, the updated DVS standard mandates that HGVs weighing over 12 tonnes (GVW) with a star rating of less than 3 stars will require additional safety equipment to be fitted. Representing a vast widening of the scope of DVS from vehicles under 1 star. As of midnight on October 27, 2024, all previous DVS permits will become void. This mandates a rapid transition for vehicles that have a DVS rating of 0 to 2 stars, requiring them to update the safety equipment on their vehicle to meet the new Progressive Safe System.

DVS 2024 requires additional coverage of blind spots.

To meet the DVS 2024 requirements 0 to 2 star rated vehicles require a Progressive Safe System needs to be installed . These systems aim to improve the drivers visibility of vulnerable road users in vehicle blind spots and reduce false alerts. Active smart systems must only give warnings when there’s a real danger to pedestrians or cyclists, not activate for the likes of street signs, street furniture or other vehicles. They also should have detection zones around the vehicle with different levels of severity warning from potential danger to imminent collision. Alerts will be reactive and can alert both in cab to the driver and outside to the vulnerable road user detected in the danger zone. One of the biggest changes from the current DVS standard mandates detection of VRU’s in the front vehicle blind spots, termed Moving Off Information Systems (MOIS).

The Progressive Safe System is aligned to other scheme requirements, including existing and forthcoming standards such as the European Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). ACSS’s Progressive Safe System is designed in accordance with UNECE Regulation 151 on Blind Spot Information Systems (BSIS) & UNECE Regulation 159 on Moving Off Information Systems (MOIS). The system fulfills all requirements for DVS 2024 compliance and is available now as supply only, or nationwide installation by ACSS approved engineers.

All HGVs over 12T have a safety star rating determined by the manufacturer. Ratings range from 0 star (lowest) to 5 star (highest). These ratings correspond to the amount of visibility the driver has directly from the cab window and measure the level of risk to vulnerable road users near the vehicle.

The 2021 Direct Vision Standard requires all vehicles with a 0 star rating to have a DVS Safe System fitted to meet the minimum DVS safety standards and receive a permit.

The 2024 Direct Vision Standard requires all vehicles with less than 3 star rating to have a DVS Progressive Safe System fitted

DVS Permits are applied for via the TfL web portal. Operators will need to self certify the equipment fitted to their vehicle and supply photos of the vehicle in line with the TfL guide lines. Applications are free of charge, and permits are digital.

Apply for your permit here.

All current DVS Safety Permits for 0 to 2 star rated vehicles will become void midnight 27th October 2024, by when applications will have to be made new safety permits under DVS 2024. DVS 2024 permits can be applied for from 24th June 2024.

Vehicles with a star rating of 3 – 5 can obtain a permit with no modifcation, and vehicles in this category with existing permits will have a new permit granted automatically upon application. Vehicles with a star rating of 0 – 2 stars will have to evidence the fitting of a Progressive Safe System before qualifying for their Safety Permit.

From 26 October 2020, if you drive an HGV within London without a valid permit you may receive a penalty charge notice (PCN) of up to £550 (reduced to £275 if paid within 14 days) with a driver receiving a £130 fine.

TFL can also revoke or suspend a permit if a vehicle that has been granted a permit is later found to be in breach of the permit terms.

The Progressive Safe System (2024) is made up of some key elements that differentiate it from the current Safe System.

An active blind spot information system (BSIS) must be fitted to the nearside of the vehicle alerting the driver to the presence of vulnerable road users. Sensors must not activate in response to roadside furniture or stationary vehicles. For articulated vehicles, sensors must be suitably positioned on the tractor unit to provide sufficient coverage of the nearside without being activated by the trailer itself.

A moving off information system (MOIS), camera monitoring system must be fitted to the front of the vehicle alerting the driver to the presence of vulnerable road users. Systems must be activate when the vehicle is stationary and provide an escalated alert if vehicle prepares to move off. A visual signal must show the VRU in the front blind spot with an audible alarm should a collision become imminent.

Existing requirements for Class V & VI mirrors, audible manoeuvring warning, side underrun protection and external pictorial stickers remain for the most part unchanged.

The Progressive Safe System is aligned to other scheme requirements, including existing and forthcoming standards such as the European Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

ACSS Progressive Safe System s designed in accordance with UNECE Regulation 151 on Blind Spot Information Systems (BSIS) & UNECE Regulation 159 on Moving Off Information Systems (MOIS).

ACSS’s PSS System fulfills all requirements of TfL’s Progressive Safe System for DVS 2024 and is available now as supply, or nationwide installation by ACSS approved engineers.