DVS Direct Vision Standard

What is Direct Vision Standard (DVS)?

The Direct Vision Standard (DVS) is the first legislation of its kind. All goods vehicles over 12 tonnes require a permit to drive into Greater London, including vehicles from outside of the UK. If the vehicle falls short of the required Direct Vision Standard rating, operators will need to fit extra safety devices to comply.

Enforced by Transport for London (TfL), the legislation is based on a ‘star rating’ indicating how much a driver can see from the cab in relation to other road users.

The vehicle manufacturer will issue a star rating for your vehicle. This rating (0-5) is based on how the vehicle left the production line and will not take into account any aftermarket safety systems that have been fitted.

HGVs that do not meet the minimum requirement of 1 star (3 stars from October 2024) need to comply with the DVS Safe System which requires the installation of extra devices for indirect vision (similar to FORS & CLOCS specifications) to alert drivers to vulnerable road users who are in a vehicle’s blind spot. Complying with the DVS Safe System will not alter the vehicle’s star rating but will permit you to drive into Greater London.

Updated revision as of 4th Sept 2023 is:

The current DVS Scheme for vehicles over 12 tonnes, is changing. From October 2024 the minimum star rating requirement is increasing from one to three stars. Operators that fall short of the required star rating will need to apply for a Progressive Safe System PSS). This replaces the current Safe Permit and requires a new range of blind spot and predictive collision warning technologies. Some technologies fitted to meet the current DVS requirements will not be applicable from October 2024.

Here at Brigade, we have now reviewed the new Progressive Safe System (PSS) technical documents from TfL and we are confident that we can fully service your DVS requirements.

PSS requires technologies that can predict collisions and warn the driver with a range of audible and visual warnings depending on the severity of the danger.

A simplified Version of Requirements:

• Predictive side sensor technology to warn the driver of a collision
• A front sensor system that provides alerts to the driver when a vulnerable road user is in the detection path, both when preparing to move off and when moving off.
• A nearside camera and monitor
• An audible alarm to warn other road users that the driver is about to move
• An A3 size DVS sticker.
• Products must not interfere with safety critical aspects of the vehicle and must therefore have E Mark Certification

The new specification also requires the Original Equipment Manufacturer to test the products with a specific test procedure