Geoff Roy 24th March 2023

The Restrictions to Know When Driving an HGV in London

London can be a phenomenal place to start a new career as an HGV driver. There are plenty of great employers to choose from, offering lucrative wage opportunities. Plus, you get to surround yourself with the excitement and bustle of the UK’s capital city.

However, driving an HGV in London isn’t without its challenges. The location is home to a few extra rules, guidelines, and restrictions drivers need to be aware of. From hefty congestion charges to the “Direct Vision Standard”, it’s worth making sure you’re familiar with the restrictions that might effect you when you’re operating your HGV in the capital.

The Direct Vision Standard and Safety Permits

The Direct Vision Standard prevents London HGV drivers from operating vehicles which might increase put vulnerable road users at risk. Implemented as part of the Mayor of London’s “Vision Zero” plan for eliminating serious injuries and deaths on London’s roads by 2041, the “DVS” measures how well an HGV driver can see directly through their cab windows.

Alongside the Direct Vision Standard, the London transport network also requires all HGV operators to apply for and hold valid safety permits before using the area. The “HGV Safety Permit” strategy covers the majority of Greater London, and operates all year, 24 hours per day.

Notably, applying for a permit is free of charge, and it’s usually something your employer will be able to help you with. Permits are granted when the vehicle in question meets with the “minimum DVS star rating”. If a vehicle does not adhere to this rating, your employer will need to adjust the HGV by fitting “Safe System Improvements”.

The Gov.UK website recommends applying for permits as early as possible, even if the new number plate of a new vehicle isn’t available yet, as it can take a while to be approved.

Additionally, all vehicles registered outside of the UK weighing more than 12 tonnes will also need to hold a valid permit. They’ll need to check the star rating of their vehicle and select the “non UK” option when applying for permission to operate within the UK capital.

Keep in mind, a small number of vehicles are entitled to an exemption from the HGV Safety Permit requirements, such as specialist construction vehicles. However, you’ll need to check with the correct government group to determine whether you’re exempt or not.

Driving a HGV without a valid permit within most of greater London will lead to a penalty charge notice of up to £550.

The Lorry Control Scheme and Restricted Routes

Otherwise known as the “LLC”, the London Lorry Control Scheme is a set of measures implemented in London to prevent HGVs weighing more than 18 tonnes from causing disruptions for residents. The scheme prevents the movement of HGVs in certain areas during weekends and evenings, which means certain roads might be off-limits to you when you’re driving.

Notably, there are roads in London which remain accessible to HGVs at any time without the need for permission. These are known as “Excluded Road Network” routes. Alternatively, other routes are known as “restricted routes”, where specific restrictions can apply around how and when users can operate HGVs. The London Council’s website includes a map to ERN and restricted routes.

In some cases, HGV drivers can request to use restricted routes, and asking for permission is free, provided you’re part of the London Lorry Control Scheme. If you do drive on a restricted road without permission, or you have permission to use these routes, but fail to use the fewest possible restrictive routes, you will receive a penalty.

Congestion, Low Emission Zones

The congestion in London is often a major issue for employed HGV drivers. Typically, you’ll need to factor congestion into planning your routes and allow more time for getting around than you would in other cities. There’s also the Congestion Charge to think about, which can apply depending on the emissions your vehicle produces.

London has both a set of “Low Emission Zones”, and “Ultra Low Emission Zones”, which dictate the degree of emissions allowed in any part of the city at any given time. Ultra-low and low emission zones generally operate 24 hours a day, on every day of the year.

The Low Emission Zone was set up to prevent the most polluting vehicles in the Capital to operate with cleaner fuels. It covers the majority of Greater London, and you can find out which routes are susceptible to charges here. The Ultra-low emission zone currently covers all of the areas within the Northern and Southern circular roads.

If a vehicle isn’t compliant with ULEZ emission standards, drivers need to pay a daily charge of £12.50 to drive within the zone.

Other Considerations when Driving In London

On top of these various restrictions worth considering when driving in London, it’s also worth noting the capital city also has a specific set of rules relating to keeping cyclists and motorbike users safe. The large number of cyclists that have regularly been killed and injured on London’s roads by larger vehicles has prompted the use of new restrictions. In fact, some government groups are even discussing banning HGVs entirely from certain roads.

Currently, the Mayor of London has established a scheme known as the “Cycle Safety Action Plan” which aims to reduce the number of casualties within the city’s roads. To adhere to the safety guidelines in London, some drivers may be required to complete an additional level of training, known as the TFL Safe Urban Driving CPC.

It’s worth double-checking whether you need any additional training before you start applying for jobs within London, after you’ve successfully completed your standard HGV tests.

If you’re concerned about any of the restrictions and specific issues associated with driving in London, you can speak to your HGV driving instructor about your specific needs. At EasyasHGV.co.uk, we provide you not just with the guidance you need to pass tests for driving HGVs throughout the UK, but also with extra support for any role you might want to pursue.

Contact EasyasHGV.co.uk today to start your training and make sure you’re prepared for the restrictions on London roads.

Geoff Roy

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