What are zero-rated vehicles and how do they affect truck drivers

Since March 2021, all HGVs entering London have been required to register with Transport for London as part of the Direct Vision Scheme. This itself is part of the Vision Zero Plan. The brainchild of the current Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, the scheme aims to eliminate all traffic-related deaths in London.

To explain further, Emma Tyrer, Head of Sales and Marketing at Walker Movements, leaders within the used-truck industry, provides her insight into what you need to know about it.

The scheme aims to ensure all HGV drivers can see clearly

According to statistics, pedestrians, cyclists and motorbikers are at the highest risk of death or serious injury if they are involved in a collision with an HGV. Leaving aside statistics, this is basic common sense. Car drivers are encased in metal and surrounded by safety devices. Even they, however, tend to come off the worst in collisions with HGVs. Pedestrians, cyclists and motorbikers have little to no protection.

In cities, there is often limited scope for physically separating vulnerable road users from larger, heavier vehicles. London, for example, does have some cycle lanes. Coverage, however, is patchy. Where they do exist, these lanes tend to be narrow. Furthermore, they often need to be shared with at least some other vehicles, notably buses.

This means that, for the most part, everyone has to share the roads together. The onus is therefore on the drivers of the more dangerous vehicles (e.g. HGVs) to do everything they can to look out for the more vulnerable. This starts by knowing that they’re there, hence the Direct Vision scheme.

The basics of the Direct Vision Scheme

Before you take your HGV into London, you need to register it on the TfL website for the Direct Vision scheme. You enter your vehicle’s registration and TfL automatically assigns it a star rating. If this star rating is between one and five, you can proceed to enter London. If, however, your vehicle is zero-rated, then you need to demonstrate that you’ve retrofitted it with “safe system” measures.

Basically, this means that you need to prove to TfL that you’ve fitted your vehicle with safety equipment that counteracts the visibility limitations. If you don’t, or if you don’t register at all, you can be fined up to £550 per day. This is reduced to “just” £275 if you pay within 14 days.

The practicalities of the Direct Vision Scheme

For most HGV operators in the UK, the chances are that the Direct Vision Scheme will simply be a minor piece of administrative work. The important point is to get the administration completed. If you regularly work in London, then you have probably done this already. If, however, you don’t, you may be thinking that it can wait until you have a job that requires you to enter the capital.

In principle, you’re right. In practice, however, this is a risky strategy. Although the standard application process is through an online form, there can be delays in applications being processed. If you enter London before you have actually been issued with the relevant permit, you will be fined even if you can show that your HGV was fully compliant with the scheme.

If TFL has any questions or concerns about your application, they may require you to provide further evidence. This will increase the length of time needed to process your application.

The implications of the Direct Vision Scheme

If you know your HGV would be zero-rated and you don’t plan on going anywhere near London, you may be tempted just to “sit out” registration. This is an option but it may still be worth looking into retrofitting your vehicle with safety technology.

At the end of the day, you will still be held responsible for any accidents in which you are involved. The cost of safety technology is a small price to pay for avoiding potentially fatal incidents. It may lower your insurance. It may also future-proof you against similar schemes being adopted elsewhere.