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Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025
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Northbound travel for HK vehicles via HZMB open for application next month
Approved Hong Kong private cars will be allowed to travel between Hong Kong and Guangdong via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) starting in July, as the "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" scheme will open for application starting next month.
The SAR government and the Guangdong Provincial Government on Monday announced the regulations for the Scheme, including eligibility requirements of applicants, vehicles and drivers, permissible duration of stay in Guangdong, vehicle examination, procedures and penal mechanisms, etc.
There will be a cap on the number of applications to be accepted at the initial stage of launching the scheme, which will be allocated through computer balloting.
Upon the application commencement, 200 applications will be accepted per working day in the first week, followed by 300 applications to be accepted per day from the second week onwards.
The application situation will be reviewed, and the applications to be accepted will be increased progressively, according to the government.
Applicants will need to first register for computer balloting through the designated website (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 within the designated date and time randomly allocated by the computer system starting from 9 am on June 1.
After applying, the applicants should allow time to complete various relevant procedures under the requirements of the Mainland departments. That included obtaining a Mainland driving licence in person in advance via the licensing counters in Guangdong, having a vehicle examination at the designated premises in Hong Kong, and taking out insurance policies issued by Hong Kong insurance companies which fulfil relevant requirements.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu expressed his gratitude for the staunch support of the Central Government and the Guangdong Provincial Government in taking forward and realising the "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" Scheme.
"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," he said.
There will be a cap on the number of applications to be accepted at the initial stage of launching the scheme, which will be allocated through computer balloting.
Upon the application commencement, 200 applications will be accepted per working day in the first week, followed by 300 applications to be accepted per day from the second week onwards.
The application situation will be reviewed, and the applications to be accepted will be increased progressively, according to the government.
Applicants will need to first register for computer balloting through the designated website (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 within the designated date and time randomly allocated by the computer system starting from 9 am on June 1.
After applying, the applicants should allow time to complete various relevant procedures under the requirements of the Mainland departments. That included obtaining a Mainland driving licence in person in advance via the licensing counters in Guangdong, having a vehicle examination at the designated premises in Hong Kong, and taking out insurance policies issued by Hong Kong insurance companies which fulfil relevant requirements.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu expressed his gratitude for the staunch support of the Central Government and the Guangdong Provincial Government in taking forward and realising the "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" Scheme.
"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," he said.
