Officials are set to extend a grace period to six months for hauliers operating in the capital to comply with new Progressive Safe System (PSS) launched on 28 October 2024.
Transport for London (TfL) says If you wish to apply for the grace period you will need to provide evidence that you have installation works arranged to fit the PSS but that this is scheduled for after 28 October 2024.
This follows intensive RHA campaigning to ensure hauliers have clarity and more time to get their fleets ready for the changes. We are awaiting confirmation from TfL on these details. Enforcement would begin from 4 May 2025 – an extension of the original three months.
Richard Smith, RHA Managing Director, said: “We have collaborated extensively with the industry to better understand its challenges to be able to comply to a new standard with short timescales. Our most recent survey revealed that 57 percent of respondents said they weren’t confident of being able to install compliant equipment in time.
“Now we’ve secured much-needed clarifications and a grace period extension the industry can now move forward to invest. Meanwhile, we are also clear that road safety is everybody’s responsibility where all road users play their full part. We will continue to ensure that policymakers recognise and apply this important point.”
Chris Yarsley, Senior Policy Manager at Logistics UK said: “The decision to double the grace period for the implementation of the next stage of the Mayor’s Direct Vision Standard (DVS), via the introduction of the Progressive Safe Standard, is welcome news for London’s hauliers, who deliver everything the capital needs, every day.
“After intensive negotiations between TfL and Logistics UK, AICES and RHA, we welcome the decision that provides our members with the time, and peace of mind, to ensure they can comply with the stricter standards. Our members remain committed to the very highest standards of road safety, and the extension will ensure that there is sufficient time for hauliers to source and fit the required equipment.
“We would also like to thank London Councils for ensuring that when further phases of DVS are introduced, TfL will be required to provide additional information to smooth their introduction, namely information on real-world testing of equipment; measures to mitigate phase two equipment obsolescence; details of equipment and fitters’ availability and mitigating sensory overload of drivers.
“It is nevertheless important for operators to continue their preparations regarding the new DVS standard because the regulations will still change on 28 October. The London Councils’ decision does not change this date, but it does provide a sensible grace period to ensure operators can comply without incurring financial penalties.”
To help the sector better understand what they need to do to comply, the RHA have recently published a DVS Explainer document produced by the new standard’s authors Loughborough University: https://bit.ly/DVSExp.
More information on Direct Vision Standard on the TfL website here: https://bit.ly/3YaThYP
