From 28 October this year, HGVs weighing more than 12 tonnes will be required to have a minimum three-star Direct Vision Standard (DVS) rating to enter Greater London.
Vehicles with a DVS star rating of two or below will need to fit additional safety measures known as the Progressive Safe System (PSS). Non-compliance could lead to a penalty charge of up to £550 per operator and £150 for the driver, per vehicle per day.
David Dimbleby, Commercial Director at Digraph, said:
“With the new rules announced back in June 2023, HGV operators could be forgiven if the deadline for PSS compliance has snuck up on them. But those that fail to make the necessary changes in time face fines with no upper limit on the maximum charge. At the same time, operators that leave it too late risk losing business to competitors through unnecessary time spent off the road. That’s why we recommend that HGV operators stagger upgrades incrementally across their fleet to minimise downtime, and so that come October 28th, they will be able to maintain an uninterrupted, compliant service to customers.”
Digraph is advising operators to work with experienced technicians to manage their upgrades efficiently and take advantage of quick fixes where possible. They also stock a range of products from trusted suppliers, including Brigade, Guardian, and Durite, offering Direct Vision Kit solutions that can be integrated into existing hardware and deliver significant savings when implemented across an entire fleet.
Digraph, was acquired by LKQ UK & Ireland in July 2023 and has 21 branches across the UK, you can find out more about Digraph here.