31st March 2023 – (Hong Kong) The Transport Department (TD) has announced the extension of additional measures to assist cross-boundary vehicles stranded in Mainland or Macao to return to Hong Kong for vehicle examinations. The measures were implemented on 1st March and will now be extended until 30th June.
Eligible cross-boundary vehicles with expired Hong Kong vehicle licenses and stranded in Mainland or Macao can return to Hong Kong through a designated route via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) on a specific date for vehicle examinations to renew their Hong Kong vehicle licenses. To apply, vehicle owners must submit application forms to the TD two weeks in advance of the planned date of return, which must be before 16th June.
The application should include copies of the Mainland approval notice, Hong Kong vehicle registration document, designated driver/reserve driver’s identity document and valid Hong Kong Full Driving Licence, Hong Kong third party risk insurance/cover note valid on the day of return, Mainland compulsory traffic accident liability insurance/Macao statutory vehicle insurance for motor vehicles valid on the day of return, booking record of the service at the vehicle examination centre, and a declaration on vehicle performance.
Upon approval, a specific date and route will be assigned for the vehicle to return to Hong Kong via the HZMB port to the pre-booked designated car testing centre. It is important for the vehicle owner to confirm that the vehicle is roadworthy for safety concerns in their application. There is a daily limit set for the number of vehicles to return to Hong Kong, so it is advisable for applicants to submit their applications as early as possible.
The TD will publish in the gazette a notice to exempt the cross-boundary vehicles approved to return to Hong Kong on a specified date from the regulations on vehicle registration and licensing. Successful applicants may submit their application to the TD in person or by agent through drop-in box, by email, or by post two weeks in advance of the planned date of return. For enquiries, please call 2804 2600.
The existing facilitation measure that allows eligible cross-boundary vehicles stranded in the Mainland or Macao to be driven back to Hong Kong on a specified date via the HZMB port through a designated route to a designated car park/location in the HZMB Hong Kong Port for parking has also been extended until June 30. The vehicle may then be transferred via a self-arranged towing service to a designated vehicle examination centre for a vehicle examination prior to the arrangements for a vehicle licence renewal.
Since Hong Kong has fully resumed connection with the Mainland, the above facilitation measures and additional facilitation measures will expire on June 30. The TD has no plan to further extend the arrangements. Therefore, vehicle owners have to arrange the cross-boundary services for towing back their cross-boundary vehicles with expired vehicle licences to Hong Kong on their own.
The TD reminds eligible vehicle owners to consider early applications for the above facilitation measures and arrange the return of the cross-boundary vehicles stranded in the Mainland or Macao to Hong Kong.
In conclusion, the extension of the TD’s additional measures to assist cross-boundary vehicles stranded in Mainland or Macao to return to Hong Kong for vehicle examinations is good news for vehicle owners who have been affected by the pandemic-related restrictions. Vehicle owners are advised to carefully read the eligibility and application requirements and submit their applications as early as possible to avoid any inconvenience.