Road Haulage Association Publishes Direct Vision Standard Guidance

The RHA (Road Haulage Association) has published a set of guidelines produced by Loughborough University to help firms operating heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in London understand new Direct Vision Standard (DVS) specifications brought in by Transport for London.

HGVs with a gross vehicle weight of over 12 tonnes are required to hold a HGV Safety Permit before entering and operating in most of Greater London. The DVS is a rating system based on how much the driver can see from the drivers position and is a key part of the safety permit.

The DVS is measured using a star rating from 0 to 5 and is normally given when the vehicle is manufactured. Currently to operate in London vehicles must hold a minimum of a one star rating, however Transport for London, have announced that with effect from 28^th October 2024 HGVs will be required to have a DVS rating of at least 3 stars or fit the Progressive Safe System in order to continue to hold an HGV Safety Permit and operate in Greater London.

The new guidance focuses on what specific safety equipment and systems are needed to meet the requirements. This includes technical information and specifications on Blind Spot Information Systems (BSIS) and Moving Off Information Systems (MOIS), which are designed to alert you when a vehicle enters a blind spot and detect vulnerable road users in frontal blind spots, respectively.

It also includes several tests and actions that drivers and operators should take to ensure that their systems are fully working and compliant.

The guidance document ‘Explainer for operators: What should your TfL DVS-compliant Blind Spot Information System and Moving Off Information System do, and what should it not do?’ can be accessed for free on the RHA website.

The RHA are also requesting an extended grace period, preferably at least 12 months,  for drivers and operators to upgrade their current HGVs as they don’t believe that there is currently sufficient equipment for all the HGVs in need of upgrades.

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