FORS Accreditation Help

FORS can be a minefield for many fleet and transport mangers. Understanding which vehicles need to be covered, what level of accreditation is required and most importantly how much this is going to cost. At RS Connect, we appreciate that you may need help and advice. Our team of experts can help by assessing your requirement and installing equipment professionally and efficiently, to achieve the FORS Accreditation. Get in touch with us today!

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engineer installing camera system on Trucks

FORS uses the following terminology:

  • Shall – which means mandatory.
  • Should – which means emerging practice and is recommended.
  • May – which means emerging best practice and optional.

FORS Bronze

Bronze accreditation confirms that you employ good practice and comply with the requirements laid out by the FORS Standard. This includes demonstrating dedication to driver and vehicle safety, combined with improving operating practices through effective monitoring of fuel and tyre usage.

To achieve the Fors Bronze, larger vehicles need to have safety equipment installed to protect vulnerable road users. The main aim of this requirement is to reduce both the chance and impact of accidents involving these road users. This creates a safer environment for everyone on the road, including pedestrians and cyclists.

FORS Bronze Vehicle Safety Equipment

All of the requirements are mandatory and relate to the installation of Class V and Class VI mirrors side under-run protection and signage. The signage warning other road users of near side close proximity blind spot hazards must be fitted to rear of trailers on tractor, trailer combinations. As soon as you are happy that you have complied with the requirements of BRONZE then please call FORS direct on 0844 809 0944 or visit their website to arrange for an audit.  

Close-proximity mirrors

Class V mirror/Class VI mirror

Shall be fitted to all HGVs:

  • Where they can be mounted with no part of the mirror being two metres from the ground, regardless of the adjustment position
  • In such a way that they are appropriately adjusted and fully visible from the driving position

Side under-run protection

Side under-run

Shall be fitted to all HGVs, to both sides of the vehicle:

  • Unless defined as exempt in the Safer Lorry Scheme Traffic Regulation Order
  • Unless the shape and characteristics of the vehicle mean that it meets the requirements for side under-run protection

Blind spot warning signage

Warning signage and markings

Shall be fitted to all HGVs and vehicles designed to carry more than 16 passengers:

  • Prominently to the rear of the vehicle
  • To visually warn other road users of the near-side close proximity blind spot hazard
  • So as not to cause offence to other road users
  • So they are clearly visible to other road users

For a tractor trailer and drawbar combination vehicle, blind spot warning signage shall be fitted to the rear of the trailer.

FORS Silver

To obtain FORS Silver, bronze accreditation is first required. More emphasis is placed on physical vehicle safety, with the requirement of certain items of equipment such as Blind Spot Cameras, Side Scan Sensor Systems, Left Turn and Reversing Alarms.

Silver accreditation confirms that you employ good practice and comply with the requirements laid out by the FORS Standard. By achieving FORS Silver accreditation your fleet will be compliant with the CLOCS Standard for Construction Logistics and with TfL’s WRRR (Work Related Road Risk).

FORS Silver Vehicle Safety Equipment Requirements

Mandatory FORS Silver Equipment Requirements

7.5 tonne truck safety equipment

HGV vehicles over 3.5 to 7.5 tonnes

  • Reversing alarm
  • Side scan sensor system
  • Turn left alarm
  • Near side blind spot camera
  • In cab LCD monitor
  • In cab audible warning
  • Warning signage
rigid truck over 7.5

RIGID HGV vehicles over 7.5 tonnes   

  • Reversing alarm
  • Reversing camera
  • Side scan sensor system
  • Turn left alarm
  • Near side blind spot camera
  • In cab LCD monitor
  • In cab audible warning
  • Warning signage
tipper

All HGV TRACTOR vehicles

  • Reversing alarm
  • Side scan sensor system
  • Turn left alarm
  • Near side blind spot camera
  • In cab LCD monitor
  • In cab audible warning
  • Warning signage must be applied to the trailer

Recommended FORS Silver Equipment Requirements

7.5 tonne truck safety equipment

HGV vehicles over 3.5 to 7.5 tonnes

  • Reversing alarm
  • Side scan sensor system
  • Turn left alarm
  • Near side blind spot camera
  • Forward facing camera
  • Digital Video Recorder (DVR) to record and save the video records
  • In cab LCD monitor
  • In cab audible warning
  • Warning signage
rigid truck over 7.5

RIGID HGV vehicles over 7.5 tonnes   

  • Reversing alarm
  • Reversing Camera
  • Side scan sensor system
  • Turn left alarm
  • Near side blind spot camera
  • Forward facing camera
  • Digital Video Recorder (DVR) to record and save the video records
  • In cab LCD monitor
  • In cab audible warning
  • Warning signage
tipper

All HGV TRACTOR vehicles

  • Reversing alarm
  • Side scan sensor system
  • Turn left alarm
  • Near side blind spot camera
  • Forward facing camera
  • Digital Video Recorder (DVR) to record and save the video records 
  • In cab LCD monitor
  • In cab audible warning
  • Warning signage must be applied to the trailer

Optional FORS Silver Equipment Requirements

7.5 tonne truck safety equipment

HGV vehicles over 3.5 to 7.5 tonnes

  • Reversing alarm
  • Side scan sensor system
  • Turn left alarm
  • Near side blind spot camera
  • Off-side camera
  • Reverse facing camera
  • Forward facing camera
  • Digital Video Recorder (DVR) to record and save the video records
  • In cab LCD monitor
  • In cab audible warning
  • Warning signage
rigid truck over 7.5

RIGID HGV vehicles over 7.5 tonnes   

  • Reversing alarm
  • Reversing Camera
  • Side scan sensor system
  • Turn left alarm
  • Near side blind spot camera
  • Off-side camera
  • Forward facing camera
  • Digital Video Recorder (DVR) to record and save the video records
  • In cab LCD monitor
  • In cab audible warning
  • Warning signage
tipper

All HGV TRACTOR vehicles

  • Reversing alarm
  • Side scan sensor system
  • Turn left alarm
  • Near side blind spot camera
  • Reversing camera fitted to the trailer
  • Off side camera
  • Forward facing camera
  • Digital Video Recorder (DVR) to record and save the video records 
  • In cab LCD monitor
  • In cab audible warning
  • Warning signage must be applied to the trailer

Ready for Your FORS SILVER Audit?

As soon as you are happy that you have complied with the requirements of SILVER then please visit FORS website for more information  or call FORS direct on 0844 809 0944 and arrange for an audit. 

If you’re concerned that you may not meet the FORS requirements, or if you need assistance with installations to achieve compliance, please feel free to get in touch with us.

FORS Silver Vehicle Safety Equipment Compliance Summary

Reversing system/Left-turn system

An audible system that warns other road users of a left-turn and reversing vehicle manoeuvre shall be fitted. The system:

  • Shall activate when the left-turn indicator is engaged and reverse gear is selected
  • Should be fitted with a manual switch to mute the sound when required, such as operating between 23:30 and 07:00 in urban areas
  • May be supplemented with a visual warning to vulnerable road users

Camera system /In-cab display screen / In-cab audible warning system – Close proximity sensor and driver audible alert

Shall be fitted to all HGVs and shall include:

  • A camera system that monitors the near-side vehicle blind spot
  • An in-cab display screen to provide the driver with a view of the near-side blind spot
  • A close proximity sensor and driver audible alert system to alert the driver of other road users in the near-side blind spot
  • Where the driver has full view of the near-side blind spot area by direct vision, such as a left-hand drive vehicle, the camera system and in-cab display screen are not required.
  • Rigid goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight shall be fitted with a camera system that monitors the rear vehicle blind spot. A camera system may also be fitted to the rear of trailers.
  • A tolerance in the number of vehicles fitted with camera system may be accepted for vehicles registered before 1 January 2015 where there is not a contractual or permit requirement. If this tolerance is permitted, older vehicles not fitted with camera systems shall be fitted with an alternative blind spot vision aid such as Fresnel Lens.

Why should I consider FORS Silver?

There are a number of reasons it can be beneficial to move to FORS Silver level.

  • It demonstrates your commitment to managing road risk
  • It can save you money by reducing your fuel spend by improving the miles per gallon you are getting across your fleet
  • Savings can also be made because FORS helps reduce the number of incidents on the road – companies following FORS standards typically see a reduction in incidents
  • You will be seen to have achieved high standards of legal compliance, safety efficiency and environmental protection
  • It meets the safe system requirements should you need to apply for a DVS permit to enter London
  • Many organisations include FORS Silver as a contractual/procurement requirement when you are tendering for work
  • FORS can help you attract and retain new staff, who could have a focus on your environmental credentials
  • Your fleet will be compliant with the CLOCS (Construction Logistics and Community Safety) standard, and with TfL’s WRRR (Work Related Road Risk).

FORS Gold

This is the top level award and relates to sustainability of the fleet and ongoing record keeping and training. The requirements for FORS Gold primarily involve best practice measures, including you promoting the FORS Standard through your supply chain.

As soon as you are happy that you have complied with the requirements of GOLD then please visit the FORS Website or call FORS direct on 0844 809 0944 and arrange for an audit. 

FORS Gold Vehicle Safety Equipment Compliance Summary

Where a tolerance has been accepted at Silver requirement S6 to allow for older vehicles in the fleet replacement cycle, all HGVs at Gold requirement G6 (irrespective of age) shall be fitted with:

  • A camera system that monitors the near-side vehicle blind spot
  • An in-cab display screen to provide the driver with a view of the near-side blind spot

However, fitment of blind spot vision aids for vehicles registered before 1 January 2015 may be planned and evidenced in line with the operator’s fleet replacement cycle. This must be fully justified at audit.

Fleet Compliance

A number of major retailers and public works projects, such as the HS2 and Cross Rail, are now insisting on stringent safety and efficiency standards for their operations. They demand that all vehicles involved in the projects must have FORS Silver accreditation before being allowed on site. Similarly, in London, the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) requires Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) to be fitted with specific safety equipment before they can drive in the city. We can support you to ensure your vehicles meet these requirements

engineer installing dash cam on hgv
Concrete mixer in RS Connect workshop getting additional vehicle safety equipment in order to comply with FORS Silver

Your One-Stop Solution For FORS Compliance

RS CONNECT, with our extensive experience in supplying and installing FORS SILVER Systems, is a leader in commercial vehicle safety. Our nationwide team of engineers is always ready to provide full technical support and carry out installations at a location and time that best suits your needs, effectively eliminating downtime. We take pride in our expertise in commercial vehicle safety systems and have a proven track record of assisting fleets across the country in meeting all their safety requirements.

A wider range of policies and procedures are looked at and in greater depth. Training requirements are also more involved, with either SUD or WRRR Advancement Courses being required. These are classroom-based courses, which during the pandemic are being carried out as webinars for those companies. We can help your fleet achieve FORS Silver, click get help below to fill out a quick form and one of our FORS Specialists will get back to you

Street sweeper. with blind spot monitoring
Man HGV in car park for FORS Silver upgrades

Got Questions on FORS?

There are fees for subscription and auditing, which are dependent on the level required and the number of vehicles in the fleet. To help navigate the minefield that is FORS, take advantage of our years of expertise and knowledge and download your copy of our comprehensive FORS information pack.

For further information please contact a member of our team 01675 624 035.

How We Help Customers Obtain FORS Accreditation

We support Fleets across the United Kingdom with all their FORS requirements, from consultation down to the installation and aftercare. We have also created an article to help fleet managers understand the FORS requirements.