A timely reminder to the industry from Transport for London (TfL) has alerted operators with commercial vehicles that work in the capital, that new charging schemes start on 1st March.
Once the enforcement of the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) starts, if you drive an HGV within most of Greater London without a valid permit, you could receive a fine of up to £550.
Also from 1st March, operators of heavy goods vehicles over 12 tonnes (GVW) moving inside the Greater London area must meet TfL’s tough Low Emission Zone (LEZ) standards.
This means that operators of pre-Euro 6 commercial vehicles will face heavy charges. So, if you operate an HGV, van or other specialist heavy vehicle over 3.5 tonnes (GVW) within the Greater London LEZ that does not meet Euro 6 (NOx and PM), you must pay the daily LEZ charge.
If your vehicle:
- Is Euro 4 or 5 (PM) – that’s now a daily charge of £100
- Doesn’t meet Euro 4 (PM) – it’s a daily charge of £300
I was pleased to see that there is a short-term option on TfL’s website, which allows: ‘…a 90-day grace period to support operators who have ordered Safe System components ahead of the 1 March enforcement start date and are now experiencing delays in supply and fitting.
To benefit from the grace period, please submit evidence from the fitter/garage on branded documentation with details of your appointment and Vehicle Registration Number, before 1 March, to DVSGracePeriod@TfL.gov.uk.’
TfL says it will review each request and send written confirmation of the outcome. However, you must act before 1 March 2021; operators letting TfL know about delays after this date will not be eligible for the grace period.
While all this is a blow to hard-pressed operators, there are a couple of options for meeting all TfL’s emissions and DVS standards.
Either sell your old vehicles and buy more up-to-date, compliant ones through our used sales business, Dawsondirect. Alternatively, take a rental, leasing or contract hire agreement with us - an economical and flexible option that provides certainty and includes many of your vehicle-related costs.
So, whichever way forward makes best sense for your operation, we can help you avoid these new charges and support your business prosper in London.
John Fletcher, Managing Director