February 13, 2012

Hong Kong car-owners can apply to drive into Guangdong via Shenzhen Bay Port from March 30.
 
Commissioner for Transport Joseph Lai said today phase one of the Ad Hoc Quota Trial Scheme for Cross Boundary Private Cars will provide another transport alternative for cross-boundary travellers.
 
He said the first batch of Hong Kong drivers can make their journey from April 27.
 
The daily quota is 50 cars. The permit will allow the car to enter Guangdong via Shenzhen Bay Port once within a five-day period and stay for no more than seven days.
 
Applicants must be the registered owner of a Hong Kong-licensed car, must be a Hong Kong resident and must hold a valid Home Visit Permit. The driver must hold valid Hong Kong and Mainland driving licences.
 
Applications will be assessed by the Hong Kong and Guangdong governments separately. Apart from the statutory insurance required by both places, an applicant should also consider taking out travel insurance, commercial third party liability insurance and liability insurance for cross-boundary vehicle owners.
 
Mr Lai said the second phase will allow Mainland cars to enter Hong Kong, however, no timetable has been finalised yet. Experts from the two governments will further study the implementation details of phase two once the first phase is running smoothly.
 
“We will take full account of the impact on traffic, road safety as well as the environment. We will start with a small amount of quotas,” Mr Lai said, adding only applicants with good driving records will be allowed to drive across the boundary.