The Benefits of the DVS Law

The Direct Vision Standard (DVS) is a new law, designed to reduce the risk of close-proximity blind spot collisions. As of March 2021, lorry owners must eliminate all blind spots by adding camera equipment and other enhancements to driver vision.

Today we are jumping into what this law means for fleet vehicles and how our blind spot detection cameras meet the requirements of the law.

What is the Direct Vision Standard law?

The DVS law came into effect in February 2021 and it means it is an offence for any truck over 12 tonnes to be entering London without a HGV DVS Safety Permit.
If you do enter London without a permit, penalty issues will be charged to the operator and the driver where deemed appropriate.

How does this affect fleet vehicles?

Each vehicle will be rated by what is called “the star rating”. You can find your star rating by contacting your vehicle manufacturer. From 2024, the minimum DVS star rating will be 3 and above to enter London.

If you are a 0 star rated vehicle (up until 2024), you are required to fit the following audio/visual technology to improve the safety of your vehicle:

> 1 nearside camera
> 1 in-cab screen
> 1 nearside blind spot sensor system
> 1 nearside external audible turn alarm
> Safety signage

If you are rated 1 or 2 stars, the permit will expire in 2024 and you will have to reapply for a 10 year one. If you are a 3, 4 or 5 star vehicle, your permit will expire in 2030 (or 10 years after the application date).

The benefits of the DVS law

The DVS law has come into effect as part of the Vision Zero initiative to help eliminate death and serious injuries caused by road collisions in London by 2041.

Not only will it benefit drivers of HGV and fleet vehicles but other road users. A collision can affect many lives and that is what this law can help prevent.

Fleet Witness’s Blind Spot Detection Cameras

Our unique camera package can be installed to display individual, or multiple cameras on the in-cab monitor. Switching to a blank screen so as not to distract the driver once the presence of a hazard has passed.

If paired with our active sensor range we can provide further visual and audible alerts to ensure the driver doesn’t miss a hazard. The systems have been designed to aid the driver and not act as a further distraction themselves.

The Fleet Witness Blind Spot Detection system provides fleets with the required equipment to obtain a HGV Safety Permit.

Our kits contain both visual and audible alerts for the driver. As well as external turning alarms to warn pedestrians and other road users when the vehicle is manoeuvring.

Interested in how Fleet Witness can help you implement Blind Spot Detection cameras? Contact one of our sales consultants today to learn more.