From today businesses and organisations can register for a HGV safety permit as part of our new Direct Vision Standard (DVS) coming in from 26 October 2020. On the same day, TfL will also introduce tougher Low Emission Zone (LEZ) standards for heavy vehicles. Both will operate 24 hours a day, every day of the year. This action is crucial to tackle two of the biggest challenges to Londoners’ health – poor air quality and death and serious injury on the roads.
Businesses and organisations now have one year to prepare for these changes.
Direct Vision Standard
The new DVS is part of the Mayor of London’s plans to eliminate death and serious injury on London’s transport network. Using a star system, the DVS will rate HGVs from zero (lowest) to five (highest) stars, based on how much a driver can see directly through their HGV cab windows. Restrictions in the HGV driver’s field of vision, or ‘blind spots’ have been identified as a significant contributory factor in collisions with vulnerable road users, such as people walking and cycling.
From 26 October 2020 HGVs weighing more than 12 tonnes will be required to hold a HGV Safety Permit when operating within Greater London (the same area as the LEZ). There will be no charge for permits. Permits will be available a year in advance, from today, and can be applied for at http://www.tfl.gov.uk/direct-vision-permit.
Low Emission Zone
These vehicles will also need to meet tougher emission standards from the same date of 26 October 2020, when the LEZ standards are getting tougher for heavy vehicles travelling within Greater London. Emission standards are tightening from Euro IV Particulate Matter only (PM) to Euro VI Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and PM.
The LEZ emission standards will be changing for the following heavy vehicles with diesel engines:
• Buses, coaches and minibuses over 5 tonnes
• HGVs, lorries, vans and other specialist heavy vehicles over 3.5 tonnes including motor caravans, motorised horseboxes, breakdown and recovery vehicles, snow ploughs, gritters, refuse collection vehicles, road sweepers, concrete mixers, fire engines, tippers and removal lorries
There is also a video available on TfL’s YouTube channel to explain more about DVS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-P20wdrcAQ.