Transport for London has introduced grace periods for both the changes to the London Low Emission Zone and Direct Vision Standard schemes that begin on 1 March 2021.
From 1 March, the London LEZ is changing. Lorries and heavy vans over 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight and buses/minibuses or coaches over 5 tonnes will need to meet Euro VI (NOx and PM) emissions standards or pay a daily charge to drive within the Greater London area.
If members are in the process of getting vehicles retrofitted to meet the Euro VI standard, TfL has introduced a grace period whereby you can register vehicles which are booked in for retrofitting, but the fitter can’t complete the work until after 1 March. The grace period will mean that the daily charge will not need to be paid. Full details are available on the BVRLA website.
Also, from this date, the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) and safety permit for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) will be enforced, requiring operators of lorries over 12 tonnes gross vehicle weight to apply and obtain a permit to enter or operate in Greater London, or a Penalty Charge Notice could be paid.
TfL has recognised that some operators are struggling to get work completed on vehicles due to the availability of parts because of EU Exit and the Covid-19 pandemic. TfL are therefore introducing a grace period for operators who can demonstrate they are taking steps towards compliance, for example booking vehicles in for work, but the work will be completed after 1 March 2021. Full details on what needs to be done to qualify for the grace period are available on the BVRLA website.
