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Breaking News --- TfL have today issued some clarification around the “Allow List” and grace period, and how that will operate:

<i>Grace period:

We are also introducing a 90-day grace period to support operators who have ordered Safe System components ahead of the 1 March enforcement start date and are now experiencing delays in supply and fitting.

To benefit from the grace period, please submit evidence from the fitter/garage on branded documentation with details of your appointment and Vehicle Registration Number, before 1 March, to DVSGracePeriod@TfL.gov.uk.

TfL will review the request and send written confirmation of the outcome. Once your Safe System equipment has been fitted, you must follow the DVS Permit Application process.

You must take action before 1 March 2021. Operators informing us of a delay after this date will not be eligible for the grace period.”</i>
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In light of this, if you have already booked your installation with RS Connect please speak to your account manager and they will be able to assist with branded documentation.

To learn more about DVS and get an overview of the regulations please head to our main [DVS pages](http://rsconnect.com/dvs "Direct Vision Standard - overview").

If you’ve not yet booked your installations, please don’t delay and get in touch with us now using the form below, or call our team on 01675 624 035.

DVS - row of trucks

TfL have today issued some clarification around the “Allow List” and grace period, and how that will operate

TfL announce 'Grace Period' for DVS fines

Following lobbying by HGV operators and installation companies such as RS Connect, TfL have decided to offer a concession to those operators by creating an “Allow List” to buy some time following installation and application delays. But what does that mean, and what are these delays?

At RS connect we were seeing multiple supply chain problems along with restrictions on installation capability. Some operators were experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks meaning our engineers were unable to visit the sites. Also as with most companies, some of our own engineers were testing positive leading to a reduction in our usual nationwide coverage.

With the recently announced update, TfL are still sticking to the same implementation date of the 1st March 2021 for DVS fines. However, they are softening the blow by advising HGV operators that the waiting times for permit approvals are getting shorter – these should now be approved within 10 days, rather than up to 40 as was reported in December. Furthermore, for single vehicle applications, TfL are using their delivery partner Capita who will process the application within just one working day of receipt.

With regards to the fines themselves, TfL have clearly listened to the concerns raised and are now informing the industry that there will be an “Allow List”. Whilst they are proceeding with the DVS enforcement on 1st March 2021, this list will give some breathing space to HGV operators whose owners/operators have begun the Safety Permit application process, or are in the process of having safe system components installed.

Operators who have applied before 1st March 2021 or those who are in the process of having the Safe System equipment fitted, can be added to this “allow list” of vehicles, which will prevent them from incurring Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) for up to 90-days from the enforcement date. The new system will require operators to provide details of their applications or planned safety system component installation, where applicable.

Whilst we’re still awaiting the specifics of how this list will function – and what evidence operators will have to provide – this is most certainly a positive step.

So providing an operator notifies TfL of the installation date of the DVS system to be installed, they will be added to this list and will be covered for a maximum of 90 days after the 1st March 2021 deadline.

DVS camera installation

Following lobbying by HGV operators and installation companies such as RS Connect, TfL have decided to offer a concession to those operators by creating an “Allow List”

TfL's Direct Vision Standard 'Allow List' - what we know so far

The Direct Vision Standard (DVS) has been developed in consultation with an expert panel of researchers, academics and representatives from the freight industry, Europe’s foremost HGV manufacturers and regulatory bodies. TfL is also working with other European cities and the European Union to push for long-term improvements by mandating direct vision in EU vehicle design and safety regulations. Germany has a similar system but it is only recommended and not mandatory – however it applies to vehicles over just 3.5 tonnes.

TfL have already delayed the enforcement of the DVS standard, which now applies to all HGV vehicles over 12 tonnes in London (as of 26th October 2020) but enforcement will not start until __1st March 2021__.

Fleet operators need to be aware that although TfL state that you should allow 28 days to process an application, it is currently taking up to 40 days. At a recent seminar on the 18th November 2020 – Fleet and Mobility Live – TfL had only processed 40,000 applications. It is expected that more than 200,000 applications will be made and therefore the time to process will inevitably take longer.

![Cyclist and lorry](//images.ctfassets.net/imm2vl76xist/1NTaM21zb0UXFkiqp2Kmph/2a4fd91f4838019feed78a511d18e04c/cyclist-next-to-lorry.jpg)

To be sure you get the permit application processed in time, you should aim to have your systems installed and working by the 20th January 2020. If you have not secured a permit by the 1st March 2021 and your vehicle enters Greater London, the fleet operator will be fined £550 per incursion and the driver will be fined £130 – all enforced by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR).

Many fleet operators have kept a keen eye on the progress of the scheme and have concluded that similar schemes are likely to be introduced in other UK towns and cities in the coming months and years. It is thought Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Oxford and Newcastle are watching the success of the scheme and could follow suit.

Unlike other schemes such at the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) which have differing standards across the country and present problems for the Transport Manager when planning freight movements, TfL have been consulting with other local councils throughout.

The result is what could become the defacto standard and be applied across all towns and cities – with some cities even creating a network of ANPR cameras in advance of implementing the possible DVS requirement.

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Find out more about DVS by downloading our free information pack or contact our team to speak to one of our in-house specialists.

sales@rsconnect.com or 01675 624 035

DVS truck in london

TfL have already delayed the enforcement of the DVS standard, which now applies to all HGV vehicles over 12 tonnes in London (as of 26th October 2020) but enforcement will not start until 1st March 2021.

DVS Application Delays and Future Plans

Latest on the DVS from our team

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## *WHAT IS DVS?*

The Direct Vision Standard (DVS) and 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.

The Direct Vision Standard will be implemented and enforced by TfL and 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.Get the full details from our [experts here](http://www.rsconnect.com/news-articles/direct-vision-standard-dvs "DVS How it works").

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*__HOW TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DVS__*

If you have any questions about how the DVS system works, about the potential timelines or any questions about installations and vehicle tech, please contact our team now.

You can also download our full guide to the DVS here, that features more detail on the specifics of the regulations, their enforcement and mitigating technologies.

__sales@rsconnect.com or 01675 624 035__

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