Direct Vision Standard (DVS)

The Direct Vision Standard (DVS) and the safety permit program for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) mandate that operators of lorries weighing over 12 tonnes must acquire a safety permit prior to entering and operating within the majority of Greater London.
Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

All HGV’s over 12T will need a safety permit to enter and operate in Greater London from the 28 October 2024. The scheme was created to improve the safety of all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

The vehicle manufacturer will issue a star rating for your vehicle. This rating (0-5) is based on how the vehicle left the production line and will not take into account any aftermarket safety systems that have been fitted.

Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) falling below the minimum requirement of 1 star (3 stars from October 2024) must adhere to the Progressive Safe System (PSS). This involves installing additional devices for indirect vision, akin to the specifications outlined in FORS and CLOCS, to warn drivers about vulnerable road users situated in the vehicle's blind spot. Adhering to the DVS Safe System won't change the vehicle's star rating but will allow it to enter Greater London.

What are my compliance options?

Full Radar Systems. If no Direct Vision kit currently fitted (no side camera or left turn alarm)

Direct Vision Standard Progressive Safe System Durite DVS Safe System 4-774-50

The Durite DVS (Direct Vision Standard) Progressive Safe System conveniently provides the full range of electrical and signage requirements to be compliant with the new legislation being rolled out on 28th October 2024

  • Active AI Camera Blind Spot Information System (BSIS) and Camera System that completely eliminates the nearside blind spot

  • Active AI Camera Moving Off Information System (MOIS)

  • Left turn speaker, Low speed trigger module, Warning Sign

On-site fitting at our Bristol or Westbury depot – £1495 ex VAT

Unit Only £1050 ex VAT
Please contact us to book a fitting appointment or for a mobile fitting quote

Guardian Automotive Full Radar System GUDVSK3 Full Radar Kit

If no Direct Vision kit currently fitted (no side camera or left turn alarm) Please note GUCAL1 - Calibration kit is required, for an additional cost, for initial MOIS/BSIS setup

  • Moving Off Information System (MOIS) - UNECE Regulation 159

  • Blind Spot Information System (BSIS) - UNECE Regulation 151

  • Camera System that completely eliminates the nearside blind spot

  • High Definition side-view camera

On-site fitting at our Bristol or Westbury depot from £1895 ex VAT

Unit Only £1295 ex VAT
Please contact us to book a fitting appointment or for a mobile fitting quote

Brigade Full Progressive Safe System DVS Kit (DVS 2) Kit YECPSS-001 - Kit No. 7679

If no Direct Vision kit currently fitted Full Progressive Safe System (DVS 2) Kit For both rigid and articulated vehicles Kit Model No: PSS-001 Kit Part No. 7679. Automatic Calibration

  • Radar Predict. An award winning, predictive side-collision dual-radar, 180° detection system. Alerts drivers through visual and audible signals.

  • Front radar system. predictive front-collision dual-radar, 180° detection system. Alerts drivers through visual and audible signals.

  • High Definition, 7”, Select range monitor. 3 camera inputs.

  • High Definition side-view camera with lens swivel adjustment and LEDs for low light performance.

On-site fitting at our Bristol or Westbury depot from £3100 ex VAT
Unit Only £2655.39 ex VAT

Please contact us to book a fitting appointment or for a mobile fitting quote

What are my compliance options?

Radar Upgrade. If a Direct Vision kit is currently installed

Guardian Automotive DVS Radar Upgrade Kit GUDVSK4

For vehicles equipped with a DVS kit: an operational near-side camera and an audible left-turn alarm are already installed. Please note CAL1 - Calibration kit is required, for an additional cost, for initial MOIS/BSIS setup

  • Blind Spot Information System (BSIS) - UNECE Regulation 151

  • Active AI Camera Moving Off Information System (MOIS)

  • A3 Size ‘Blind Spot’ Safety Sign

On-site fitting at our Bristol or Westbury depot from £1350 ex VAT
Unit Only £925.00 ex VAT

Please contact us to book a fitting appointment or for a mobile fitting quote

We can fit DVS systems at our Bristol or Westbury depots. To arrange a fitting please contact us

Bristol Depot Tel. 0117 971 2242

Westbury Depot Tel. 01373 859010

We also offer mobile DVS fitting. Please call us for a mobile fitting quote as price is dependant on your location.

Brigade Progressive Safe System DVS Upgrade Kit BSIS-MOIS-001

Upgrade Kit For Vehicles With No PSS Kit Installed. Part number 7675. Automatic Calibration

  • Radar Predict. An award winning, predictive side-collision dual-radar, 180° detection system. Alerts drivers through visual and audible signals.

  • Front radar system. predictive front-collision dual-radar, 180° detection system. Alerts drivers through visual and audible signals.

  • Take Care. Rear sticker. DVS compliant A3 size

On-site fitting at our Bristol or Westbury depot From £2300 ex VAT
Unit Only £1995 ex VAT

Please contact us to book a fitting appointment or for a mobile fitting quote

Why Do I Need an HGV Safety Permit?

The Direct Vision Standard (DVS) and HGV Safety Permit Scheme are integral components of the Mayor of London's Vision Zero initiative, aiming to eliminate all fatalities and severe injuries on the city's transport network by 2041.

The DVS assesses the extent to which an HGV driver has direct visibility through their cab windows, represented by a star rating ranging from zero (limited) to five (good). This rating reflects the potential risk to vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.

London's Direct Vision Standard requirements are undergoing changes to enhance the safety of all road users. Beginning October 28, 2024, heavy goods vehicles weighing over 12 tonnes must either possess a three-star rating or be equipped with the Progressive Safe System to operate within Greater London.

To learn more about DVS star ratings and the Progressive Safe System, and to make necessary preparations, refer to our consultation report for detailed insights into the introduction of the Progressive Safe System.

Preparation for October 28, 2024:
If you currently hold an HGV safety permit for a zero, one, or two-star rated vehicle, it will expire at midnight on October 27, 2024. For your zero, one, or two-star rated vehicle to operate in London from October 28, 2024, it must be fitted with the Progressive Safe System.

HGV safety permit requirements

Regardless of the operator's perception of whether the vehicle meets the standards, it is imperative for all lorries weighing over 12 tonnes (GVW) entering or operating in Greater London to possess a valid HGV safety permit. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

The HGV Safety Permit Scheme encompasses the majority of Greater London and operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The application process for obtaining a permit is free of charge. This can be done here on the transport for London website.

For more guidance please refer to the transport of London website

Progressive Safe System

HGVs with a rating below three stars are required to implement the Progressive Safe System starting from October 28, 2024. Comprehensive details about the Progressive Safe System are available in our DVS Operator's guidance, and a concise overview of the seven requirements comprising the system is provided below. It's essential to note that Blind Spot and Moving Off Information Systems retrofitted to vehicles must adhere to the performance specifications outlined in our PSS technical specifications, rather than UN regulations directly.

Progressive Safe System Summary:

Requirement 1: A Camera Monitoring System (CMS) must be installed on the nearside of the vehicle to eliminate the remaining blind spot. A CMS can also serve as an alternative to fitting Class V and VI mirrors.

Guidance specifies that an additional CMS is unnecessary if one already exists in the vehicle or if the vehicle meets the standards set by UNECE Regulations 151 and 159. This applies when equivalent safety benefits are achieved, which may include a CMS replacing mirrors or forming part of a Blind Spot Information System. Installers are advised to consider camera placement based on the size of the blind spot and to avoid external projections that may contact individuals adjacent to the vehicle. While a mounting height above two meters is often suitable, installers should assess the specific vehicle context.

Requirement 2: Class V and VI mirrors, or a CMS replacing the mirrors, or a combination of both, must be fitted to the front and nearside of the vehicle.

Requirement 3: A Blind Spot Information System must provide complete coverage along the nearside of rigid vehicles to detect vulnerable road users. Activation should not occur in relation to roadside fixtures or stationary vehicles, aiming to prevent left-turn collisions.

Requirement 4: A Moving Off Information System (MOIS) must be installed at the front of the vehicle to alert the driver to the presence of a vulnerable road user and prevent collisions in the front blind spot zone during initial vehicle movement.

Requirement 5: Side under-run protection must be installed on both sides of the vehicle, except where impractical.

Requirement 6: Audible warnings must be incorporated to adequately alert vulnerable road users when the vehicle is turning left or right for left-hand drive vehicles. This ensures all vehicles can signal an intended manoeuvre.

Requirement 7: External warning signage must be prominently displayed on vehicles to offer a clear visual warning of hazards around the vehicle. Our operator's guidance emphasizes the necessity for legibility, recommending larger (at least A3) signs where feasible. Recognizing that this may not be viable for all vehicle designs, operators should adopt the most effective signage strategy while ensuring clarity.

Enforcement And Penalties

Non-compliance could lead to a penalty charge (PCN)

£550 for the operator Per Vehicle Per Day

£150 for the Driver per vehicle per day

Step-By-Step Checklist

Step 1
Use the TFL online permit tool to check the permit status of your vehicle at tfl.gov.uk/directvisionpermit

Step 2
Find out your direct vision star rating:
Check whether TFL hold a star rating for your vehicle by visitingtfl.gov.uk/direct-vision-permit

If the star rating is not available, then contact your vehicle manufacturer with the vehicle identification number and vehicle registration mark of your HGV. They will need your vehicle registration mark to identify your vehicle and its permit status.
Your vehicle manufacturer will advise what the star rating is

Send TFL the star rating of your vehicle via their contact page: www.tfl.gov.uk/contact-dvs
If it is below three stars, see step three
If it is three to five stars, see step four

Step 3
If your vehicle is rated zero, one or two stars, or is unrated, you must ensure the PSS is fitted. This includes the principal requirements listed in section four of the TFL requirements, subject to any permitted exemptions set out in the TFL guidance.

You’ll need to attach visual evidence and a sensor functionality statement for your PSS equipment, as set out in the requirements.

Once your application is accepted, your safety permit(s) will be automatically issued as a confirmation email.

If your application is refused, you may re-submit your application once you are satisfied you have addressed the reasons for refusal.

Step 4
If your vehicle is rated three, four or five stars, apply for your permit online via tfl.gov.uk/direct-vision-permit