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JH Installs Ltd are professional suppliers and installers of Direct Vision Standards (DVS) and Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) equipment, keeping fleets of vehicles compliant with the latest legislations.
The Direct Vision Standard (DVS) and safety permit for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) requires operators of lorries over 12 tonnes gross vehicle weight to obtain a safety permit before entering and operating in most of Greater London. Otherwise, you may receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).
“Had a reversing camera and DVS compliant side system installed. I explained to JH I access some seriously tight sites and most of them are new drops. Reversing camera paid for itself after 48 hours and and very tight back up when a car decided that would be the perfect moment to pull out!…. Lots of brakes and cursing!
Zero damage. No insurance claims. No bump cards. No time off the road. Reversing camera did exactly what I needed.”
The Direct Vision Standard measures how much an HGV driver can see directly through their cab windows. This indicates the level of risk to vulnerable road users, such as people walking and cycling, near the vehicle. The Direct Vision Standard and HGV safety permit for HGVs is part of the Mayor of London’s Vision Zero plan to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries on London’s transport network by 2041.
Our highly skilled professional team of DVS technology installers can ensure you are DVS compliant, with fully compliant kits – from entry level to fully bespoke systems for your vehicle(s). You will be able to enter large cities like London without the worry of facing fines and, more importantly, protecting the public, you and your vehicles from prosecution.
Whether or not the operator considers the vehicle to meet the standards, all lorries over 12 tonnes (GVW) entering or operating in Greater London need to hold a valid HGV safety permit before using the area to avoid receiving a PCN.
The HGV safety permit scheme covers most of Greater London and is in operation 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
HGV operators must apply for a permit for their vehicles before travelling through the area. A permit will be granted if the vehicle meets the minimum DVS star rating.
If your vehicle does not meet the minimum DVS star rating, you will need to make your vehicle safer by fitting it with Safe System improvements, or you may receive a PCN.
The Direct Vision Standard gives HGVs a star rating, measured by how much a driver can see directly through their cab windows. Safe System measures help reduce the danger of HGVs that don’t meet the minimum star rating for an HGV Safety Permit.
A vehicle can have a rating of zero stars (the lowest rating, with poor direct vision) up to five stars (the highest rating with excellent direct vision).
If your HGV is rated one to five stars, you can apply for a permit without the need to provide any additional evidence.
If your HGV is rated zero stars, you will need to make your vehicle safer by fitting it with Safe System improvements.
To improve indirect vision and help drivers see near the vehicle:
Camera monitoring systems
Proximity sensors
To minimise the physical impact of a hazard:
Side-underrun protection
To warn road users of intended manoeuvres:
Audible vehicle manoeuvring alarms
If you drive an HGV within most of Greater London without a valid permit you may receive a penalty charge notice (PCN) of up to £550 (reduced to £275 if paid within 14 days).
If we don’t know the star rating of your vehicle, we will need information from the manufacturer before we can grant you a permit.
You can contact your manufacturer to request a DVS star rating for your vehicle(s) or to enquire about the rating of a new vehicle. You will need to provide the chassis number (VIN) for existing vehicle(s).
Meet The Minimum DVS Star Rating
A vehicle can have a rating of zero stars (the lowest rating, with poor direct vision) up to five stars (the highest rating with excellent direct vision).
If your HGV is rated one to five stars, you can apply for a permit without the need to provide any additional evidence.
If your HGV is rated zero stars, you will need to make your vehicle safer by fitting it with Safe System improvements.
TO IMPROVE INDIRECT VISION, AND HELP DRIVERS SEE NEAR THE VEHICLE
TO MINIMISE THE PHYSICAL IMPACT OF A HAZARD
Side-underrun protection
TO WARN ROAD USERS OF INTENDED MANOEUVRES
The Guidance for operators provides more information about how to make a zero star rated vehicle compliant, and ready to apply for a permit.
As part of your application, you will be required to upload two photos that show that Safe System measures have been fitted to the vehicle.
Zero star vehicles with an approved Safe System will be granted a permit until 25 October 2024 (when the Progressive Safe System will be required for vehicles rated two star or below).
Contact The Manufacturer To Establish Your Vehicle’s DVS Star Rating
If we don’t know the star rating of your vehicle, we will need information from the manufacturer before we can grant you a permit.
You can contact your manufacturer to request a DVS star rating for your vehicle(s) or to enquire about the rating of a new vehicle. You will need to provide the chassis number (VIN) for existing vehicle(s).
Your manufacturer will then calculate the star rating of your vehicle based on the approved DVS technical protocol and send you a document or email confirming your vehicle’s DVS star rating.
If we’ve asked you to submit a star rating from your manufacturer, you can upload the confirmation they’ve sent you through the Make an enquiry form.
We will then update our records so you can apply for a permit. We will aim to respond within 28 days.
Vehicle Exemptions
Certain HGVs and vehicles may be fully or partially exempt. A list of vehicle exemptions and policy can be found in the HGV safety permit guidance for operators entering London (appendix A).
Fully exempt vehicles are not required to hold a permit, but you can still apply for one for your records.
Partially exempt vehicles include certain vehicle types which are exempt from specific Safe System requirements, as they make fitting of specific equipment impractical or impossible. Safety evidence photos must still be uploaded for these vehicles to show this, and they still must hold a valid permit.
