Transport for London has confirmed that although enforcement of the Direct Vision Standard will begin on 1 March, fleets who have begun the process to be compliant will be put on an ‘allow list’ allowing 90-days grace.
In acknowledgement of the challenges fleets are currently facing, Transport for London (TfL) will develop an ‘allow list’ of vehicles for those owner/operators who can prove that they have begun the HGV Safety Permit application process or are in the process of having safe system components installed.
All HGV operators who have not yet begun the permit application process need to check their vehicles. If the vehicle meets the standard you can apply for a permit. If the vehicle is rated zero star, you must arrange to fit a safe system, then apply for a permit with evidence.
TfL has noted the need for improvements in the permit system to speed up processing of applications, which is encouraging.
