Assembly wants a safety permit grace period for smaller road haulage companies
The vast majority of road haulage firms are small companies operating on small margins – and last year, a record number went out of business in the UK.
The Direct Vision Standard (DVS) was introduced on 28 October 2024, and requires hauliers with zero, one and two-star rated vehicles to fit the Progressive Safe System1 to receive a new HGV Safety Permit.
It is estimated that over 200,000 lorries will require the permits.
The London Assembly has today called on Transport for London (TfL) to provide data on the number of permits issued and allow small road haulage businesses to apply for a grace period if they have not been able to register vehicles through TfL’s multi-vehicle application procedure.
Andrew Boff AM, who proposed the motion, said:
“We welcome regulations that aim to improve the safety of Londoners on and off the road, and the directive to improve the visibility on around 200,000 lorries in the capital is a part of this. However, we must also ensure that businesses are able to adapt to meet these requirements, and are not crushed beneath the costs of doing so.
“I hope that with today’s motion that we can begin to have a greater understanding of both the successes of this policy, but also the areas in which more needs to be done to support businesses who may be struggling through no fault of their own to implement the Direct Vision Standard.”
The full text of the motion is:
This Assembly notes that the new Direct Vision Standard was introduced on 28 October.
Improving road safety is paramount. However, it must be noted that 95% of road haulage operators are small companies who operate on very small margins.
This Assembly calls on the Mayor to provide an update on the number of new permits issued, given that over 200,000 lorries are likely to require permits.
This Assembly is concerned about the bureaucratic impact on operators with fewer than 100 vehicles who have not been able to register vehicles via Transport for London’s (TfL) “multi-vehicle application” procedure. In the absence of permit data to confirm otherwise, this Assembly calls on TfL to allow these operators to apply for a grace period. This will support small businesses which are a vital part of London's economy.
The meeting can be viewed via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- More information on the Progressive Safety System can be found at https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/deliveries-in-london/delivering-safely/direct-vision-in-heavy-goods-vehicles/dvs-star-ratings-and-safe-system
- The Motion was agreed by 8 votes for and 3 votes against.
- Andrew Boff AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interview.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more details, please contact Josh Hunt in the Assembly Media Office on 07763 252310. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.