Suggestion

Discover GBA

Guide to Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles Scheme

Many Hong Kong residents travel northward to mainland China for leisure, business, or family visits. With enhanced transportation infrastructure and streamlined border crossing procedures, travelling by car to Guangdong province has become increasingly convenient. The "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" scheme, launched by the governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong on June 1, 2023 , allows eligible private cars from Hong Kong to travel to Guangdong province via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge without quota restriction, making northbound travel even more time efficient.

Eligibility

 

Requirements

Applicant
  • Must hold a valid Hong Kong Identity Card and a Hong Kong and Macau Residents' Entry Permit to the Mainland (“Home Return Permit”).
  • Must possess driving licenses for both Hong Kong and Mainland China, along with other relevant documents.
  • Must be the registered owner of the vehicle being applied for.

Vehicle
  • Must be registered under the name of an individual.
  • Seating capacity must be eight or fewer (including the driver).
  • Vehicle length must be less than six metres.
  • Must hold a valid Hong Kong vehicle licence.
  • Upon approval, the vehicle will be issued a Closed Road Permit by the Transport Department and an electronic vehicle licence by Mainland authorities.
  • Hong Kong private cars registered (or aged) 6 years or more must submit a Certificate of Roadworthiness.  

Driver
  • Each applicant can designate up to two drivers (one may be the applicant) to drive the private car between Hong Kong and Guangdong.
  • Designated drivers must be Hong Kong residents with a valid Hong Kong Identity Card and Home Return Permit or hold a foreign passport with a valid visa/endorsement, among other international travel documents.
  • Must possess driving licences for private cars in Hong Kong and the Mainland.
Note: The applicant is not automatically appointed as a designated driver. If the applicant wishes to be a designated driver, they must indicate this in the application form and upload colour images of both the main page and the supplementary page of their Mainland Driving Licence as supporting documents 

Application Procedures

1.      Online Application Submission:

Applications are only accepted online. After a computer ballot, applicants can submit their applications on the designated website at the specified date and time and pay the Transport Department online for the Closed Road Permit application.

2.      Await Approval:

  • The Transport Department will conduct preliminary vetting based on submitted information. If approved, the information will be forwarded to the Mainland authorities.
  • Applicants will be notified of the procedures via email or Mainland mobile phone SMS. Applications will only be approved after Mainland insurance takes effect.
  • Upon approval, the Mainland government will issue an Electronic Temporary Entry Motor Vehicle Licence ("Electronic Licence").
  • The Transport Department will verify the information from the Mainland government and notify the applicant of the application result via email or mail. If approved, the "Permit" will be mailed to the applicant.

3.      Arrange Travel Appointment:

Insurance

  • During the process if preliminary application is successful, applicants will be notified by the Mainland authorities to have their vehicle inspected at the Guangdong Provincial Delegated Agency in Hong Kong.
  • After inspection, applicants will be notified by the Mainland authorities on the results, or the applicants can check on the “Mainland Information System”
  • Once the inspection report is approved, the applicant must purchase Traffic Accident Liability Insurance for Motor Vehicles (i.e. “Compulsory Traffic Accident Liability Insurance” or “unilateral recognition insurance” in accordance with Mainland law.
  • One working day after purchasing insurance, applicants can log in to the Hong Kong Cars Driving Noth Management Service System” to check the insurance results and confirm by uploading the insurance certificate.
  • Ensure the validity periods of the "Electronic Licence," "Traffic Compulsory Insurance," and the "Permit" are all consistent.
Note: Starting July 1, 2023, the "unilateral recognition" policy enables Hong Kong private car owners entering Guangdong under the "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" scheme to extend their Hong Kong motor insurance coverage to include the Mainland's statutory motor third-party liability insurance. This policy means that car owners can now use a single insurance policy purchased in Hong Kong for both regions, streamlining the process with enhanced convenience for travellers.

On the Day of Travel

1.      Driving to the Port:

  • Arrive at the private car clearance area at the Hong Kong border and select the appropriate inspection booth.
  • All people on board the car must undergo health checks, immigration procedures, and customs clearance.
  • Declare any controlled items at the customs clearance booth.

2.      Paying Tolls:

  • Tolls for vehicles using the main bridge of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge are collected in accordance with Mainland law.
  • Payment can be made using cash (RMB only), bank cards, Mainland Alipay, Mainland WeChat, and other electronic payment methods using manned toll lanes. For electronic toll lanes, drivers can pay by electronic toll tags (including Hong Kong Easy Pass and Mainland electronic tags).

3.      Driving to the Zhuhai Port:

  • After the toll plaza, drive to the Zhuhai border crossing area. All passengers except the driver must exit the vehicle and proceed to the inspection hall for border clearance. The driver then proceeds to the inspection lanes based on the vehicle type.
  • All gates at the Zhuhai border crossing area are equipped with licence plate systems. Follow on-site instructions and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front.

For more detailed information, please visit the "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" website.