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What is the Direct Vision Standard?
Introduced by Transport for London in March 2021, the Direct Vision Standard (or ‘DVS’) is an initiative designed to enhance safety for road users, particularly vulnerable users such as cyclists and pedestrians, by minimising blind spots on HGVs and adding indirect vision where direct vision is lacking using camera monitoring and other vehicle safety technology.
The Direct Vision Standard applies to all HGVs weighing over 12 tonnes travelling through Greater London and requires all vehicles to complete a DVS Permit Application. TfL assesses vehicles for the Direct Vision Standard using the DVS star rating system, explained in the next section of this article. If a vehicle does not meet a minimum of a one-star DVS rating it must be fitted with a DVS Safe System in order to comply with the Direct Vision Standard.
How the DVS Star Rating System Works
The DVS star rating system gives HGVs a rating between 0 and 5 stars depending on how much the driver can see in their direct vision through the windows of the vehicle.
As the diagram shows, 0 star rated HGVs can’t see anyone within 4.5m of the vehicle directly from the windows. Because of this, 0 star rated HGVs are required to have a DVS Safe System fitted before applying for a DVS permit in order to cover the left-hand blind spot on the vehicle. If an HGV is rated 1-5 stars, it can apply for a DVS Permit without providing any additional evidence or documentation. This guidance will change from 2024, however, which is discussed later in this article.
In order to find your vehicle's DVS star rating, TfL provides their own DVS star rating checker on their website. Alternatively, you can contact your vehicle’s manufacturer to retrieve the correct information before applying for a permit.
Applying for a DVS Permit
If your vehicle is rated 1-5 stars on the DVS star rating system you can easily apply for a free DVS Permit with TfL.
To apply for a DVS Permit, simply visit TfL’s DVS portal and follow the steps provided. You will first be required to enter your vehicle’s registration number to check its star rating. If the vehicle is rated 1 star or above, drivers will simply need to provide full operator and contact details.
If the vehicle has a zero-star rating, the driver will need to submit photographic evidence of a Safe System in addition to the operator and contact details. The application for zero-star HGVs requires two photos: the first photo must clearly show a class V mirror, a class VI mirror and sideguards. The second photo must clearly show the number plate (VRM), warning signage and sideguards. TfL requires photos to be submitted in PNG or JPEG format with each individual file no more than 10MB in size.
Once the required details have been provided you can submit your application to TfL. Applicants can typically expect to hear back from TfL within 30 days.
Applying for a DVS Permit
In order to minimise HGV blind spots and provide drivers with indirect vision for areas where direct vision is lacking, a DVS Safe System can be fitted to the vehicle reducing the risk of accidents and boosting road safety for drivers, fleet operators and other road users.
Durite DVS Safe System include a number of safety features that help to improve fleet safety standards and driver behaviour as well as reducing insurance premiums and operational costs. Compliant with the FORS, CLOCS and DVS requirements, the Durite DVS Safe System includes a camera monitoring system, a proactive warning system (both visual and audible) and a left turn alarm. These advanced safety features provide drivers with indirect vision where direct vision from the cab is obscured, as well as ensuring both the driver and vulnerable road users are alerted of hazards during maneouvres, helping to prevent accidents and collisions.
What are the DVS Requirements for 2024?
While the Direct Vision Standard has shown reductions in collisions and accidents since its implementation, TfL has always emphasised DVS as a progressive scheme, with the intention of gradually tightening the standard and keeping the DVS requirements under close review in order to introduce a safer way of navigating Greater London by road over time.
From October 2024, Transport for London will implement changes to the DVS requirements by moving the minimum DVS star rating for HGVs from one star to three stars. In addition to this, vehicles that do not meet the new three-star rating requirement will need to be fitted with a DVS Progressive Safe System, a new and more advanced alternative to the current DVS Safe System, in order to qualify for a DVS permit. HGVs rated below 3 stars may face daily fines of up to £550 per day from 2024 if a Progressive Safe System is not installed.
While similar to the current Safe System, the Durite Progressive Safe System is a smarter and more sophisticated kit designed to completely eliminate nearside HGV blind spots. Among the changes to the original system, the Progressive Safe System is required to distinguish between moving and stationary objects, and alert the driver only when moving objects are detected.
To find out more about our Progressive Safe System and the changes coming to the Direct Vision Standard from October 2024, visit our DVS Progressive Safe System page.