As the landscape of transportation continues to evolve, heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers are facing a wave of new legislation that will reshape the industry.
From safety and compliance standards to environmental regulations and technology requirements, staying ahead of these changes is vital for all professionals in the transport sector.
In this article, we’ll highlight the upcoming laws for HGVs and how they’ll impact you and your business.
HGV safety and compliance standards
One of the primary focus areas in the upcoming laws for HGV drivers revolves around safety and compliance standards. New regulations are set to enhance safety protocols, ensure vehicle roadworthiness, and introduce stricter enforcement of existing laws.
HGV operators must be prepared to adapt to these changes and prioritise compliance to ensure they stay safe on the roads.
Direct Vision Standard (DVS) and HGV safety permit
The Mayor of London has a Vision Zero plan to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries on London’s transport network by 2041. The Direct Vision Standard (DVS) and HGV safety permits are part of this plan, so you need to ensure your vehicle complies with the regulations before operating in most of Greater London.
The DVS measures how much an HGV driver can see directly through their cab windows. Based on this, you’ll receive a star rating from 0 (limited vision) to 5 (good vision). You can check the star rating of your vehicle online.
HGVs with a 0 to 2 rating must fit a Progressive Safe System to receive a new HGV safety permit as the legacy Safe System (2019) conditions expired in October.
All HGVs over 12 tonnes gross vehicle weight (GVW) that enter or operate in Greater London need to hold a valid HGV safety permit before using the area. It’s free to apply for this permit and you could be fined if you’re found driving without one.
Safety and security declaration
From 31st January 2024, you need to submit a safety and security declaration for imported goods from the EU. This is designed to reduce the number of illicit goods entering the UK and ensure interventions at the border are based on risk.
To complete entry summary declarations, you’ll need:
- Documents and licenses for your imports
- Description of goods
- Consignor and consignee
- Type, amount and packaging of your goods
- Onward journey details
- Safety and Security Great Britain location code for the port of entry
Check all the requirements for the safety and security declaration to ensure your vehicle is compliant.
Environmental regulations and emission standards
The sale of new petrol and diesel HGVs over 26tn will be banned by 2040, so you should start to consider how to decarbonise your fleet. Hydrogen will likely be the most practical choice, but progress has been made with battery electric HGVs and the technology and availability are only expected to improve in the future.
The number of clean air zones in large cities across the UK is growing and to avoid costly fines, you’ll need to consider adopting greener solutions for your fleet. Although this requires an initial investment into new vehicles, you could save money in the long run.
You could also improve your brand reputation by meeting these evolving emission standards.
Technological advancements
Advancements in technology are driving significant changes in the HGV industry, and upcoming legislation reflects this trend. New laws will likely focus on the integration of advanced safety features, telematics systems, and possibly even autonomous driving technologies.
An upcoming technological change which will impact HGV drivers is the implementation of the smart tachograph 2. From 31st December 2024, you must retrofit a ‘full’ smart tachograph 2 or ‘transitional’ smart tachograph 2 into in-scope vehicles with an analogue or digital tachograph if you travel internationally.
This technology is designed to improve road safety and efficiency for HGV drivers. Additional updates are planned for 2025 and 2026, so you should make a note of these key dates and rules to ensure your vehicle is compliant.
Training and certification updates
Enhanced training programs, skill assessments, and ongoing professional development initiatives are expected to become more integral to the industry.
To offer more flexibility to HGV drivers, changes will soon be made to the Driver CPC requirement. From 3rd December 2024, you can choose to stay qualified using either:
- International Driver CPC
- National Driver CPC
The International Driver CPC is the new name for how the Driver CPC previously worked, so you’ll need to take 35 hours of training every 5 years to be allowed to work in the EU and the UK.
The National Driver CPC courses are more flexible as they include e-learning options and shorter courses. This will hopefully encourage more HGV drivers to enter and stay in the industry, preventing another HGV driver shortage.
Learn more about the upcoming Driver CPC changes.
In the face of these impending legislative changes, HGV operators must proactively prepare for the future. You’ll need to stay informed about the latest developments and invest in necessary upgrades and training. This will ensure continued safety, compliance, and efficiency in your operations.
Explore our guide to HGV driver regulations for more guidance.
