Hong Kong – “Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles” open for application from June 1

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced today (May 1) the implementation arrangements of “Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles” (the Scheme).

     Upon the agreement between the governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong, the Scheme will be open for application from eligible Hong Kong private cars from 9am on June 1 this year. Approved Hong Kong private cars will be allowed to travel between Hong Kong and Guangdong via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) starting from 0.00am on July 1.

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, expressed his gratitude for the staunch support of the Central Government and the Guangdong Provincial Government in taking forward and realising the Scheme which will inject further impetus for growth in the economic, trade, social and cultural links between Hong Kong and Guangdong.

     “The Scheme provides a convenient way for Hong Kong citizens to self-drive to Guangdong via the HZMB for business, visiting families or sight-seeing on a short-term basis, thereby embracing the opportunities brought by the HZMB and facilitating further connection among cities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). The Scheme also marks another important milestone in the economic integration and development of the GBA,” Mr Lee said.

     The Guangdong Provincial Government has announced today the regulations for the Scheme, including detailed eligibility requirements of applicants, vehicles and drivers, permissible duration of stay in Guangdong, insurance requirements, vehicle examination, procedures and formalities and penal mechanisms. For details, please refer to the official website of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province.

     To ensure that the Scheme is implemented in an orderly manner, the governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong agreed to set a cap on the number of applications to be accepted, which will be allocated through computer balloting, at the initial stage of launching the Scheme. Upon the application commencement, 200 applications will be accepted per working day in the first week, followed by 300 applications to be accepted per working day from the second week onwards. The application situation will be reviewed and the number of applications to be accepted will be increased progressively. Applicants will need to first register for computer balloting through the designated website of the Scheme (www.hzmbqfs.gov.hk). The first round of ballot registration is from May 29 to 30, and the result will be released on May 31. Successful applicants of balloting can submit applications for the Scheme within the designated date and time randomly allocated by computer system starting from 9am on June 1.

     For those interested in applying for the Scheme, after submitting the application, they should allow time for completing various relevant procedures in accordance with the requirements of the Mainland departments. Major application procedures include:
 

1. applicants should submit applications for the Scheme through an online platform to obtain the licences of the two places. Drivers under the Scheme should obtain both Hong Kong and Mainland driving licences of private cars. Currently, the arrangement of direct issue of driving licences between Mainland and Hong Kong has been in place. Hong Kong driving licence holders who want to obtain Mainland driving licence may complete the relevant procedures in person in advance via the licensing counters of vehicle management office of traffic management department of public security organs above the prefecture level in Guangdong;
2. applicants should drive their vehicles to the designated vehicle examination premises in Hong Kong for vehicle examination. There is no need to visit the Mainland for vehicle examination;
3. as for insurance, the regulatory authorities of Hong Kong and the Mainland have reached consensus on the “unilateral recognition” arrangement for cross-boundary motor insurance. Owners of Hong Kong vehicles can take out “unilateral recognition” insurance policies issued by Hong Kong insurance companies which fulfill relevant requirements, such that there is no need to separately purchase Compulsory Traffic Accident Liability Insurance for Motor Vehicles of the Mainland; and
4. upon completion of the application procedures in accordance with the requirements and approval, applicants will receive the relevant licences issued by the Transport Department (TD) of Hong Kong and the Mainland departments.

     To ensure better northbound travel experience for the approved applicants, the governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong have also agreed to set a daily cap on the number of northbound vehicles. Applicants who have obtained the relevant licences for the Scheme from the TD and the Mainland departments may book for travelling within a designated period in the subsequent month via the online booking system starting from the middle of each month. Subject to the number of booking, there may be a need to allocate designated dates for northbound vehicles through computing balloting. If the number of applications has not reached its cap, applicants may make the booking via the system on a first-come-first-served basis. More details about the northbound travel booking system will be announced on the webpage of the TD in due course.

     As for the specific details of eligibility criteria, application methods and procedures, as well as information about northbound travel, please refer to the designated webpage of the Scheme. As regards the “unilateral recognition” insurance arrangement, please refer to the information published by the Insurance Authority and the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers.

     The State Council has announced the customs guarantee-free policy for eligible Hong Kong private cars under the Scheme in November last year. The policy will allow Hong Kong private cars participating in the Scheme to be exempted from paying customs duties or applying for guarantee arrangements with Mainland customs, thereby simplifying the relevant application procedures and reducing the handling fees. The governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong will closely monitor and review the application and implementation situation of the Scheme, with a view to enhancing the application procedures and providing convenience to members of the public.