The 2025 scheme for Hong Kong private cars traveling to Guangdong

The Transport Department announced that starting May 14, applicants holding a valid "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" Closed Road Permit (CRP) expiring on or after July 2024 and fully meeting the "renewal application qualifications" no longer need to participate in the computerized lottery.

The new arrangement applies only under the following three unchanged conditions:

• The applicant remains unchanged.
• The vehicle remains unchanged.
• The designated driver remains unchanged.

If the applicant does not meet any of the above conditions, they must re-enter the computerized lottery.

Application Requirements for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles

• The vehicle must be a non-commercial private car.
• The vehicle license must be held under an individual's name, not a company's.
• The private car must have no more than 8 seats (including the driver) and a length not exceeding 6 meters.

Driver Application Requirements for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles

• Applicants must hold a valid Hong Kong Identity Card and a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents.
• Drivers must possess both Hong Kong and mainland private car driving licenses (refer to the process for converting to a mainland license below).
• Applicants must be the registered owner of the private car being applied for.

Step 1: Online Application for Lottery

Visit the Transport Department's Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles website to apply for the lottery. Successful applicants can submit their applications online within the specified timeframe.

Latest HK Car to China Lottery Schedule (April 2025 to September 2025)

Step 2: Submit Necessary Application Documents

After winning the lottery, applicants must submit basic documents including their identity card, dual-region vehicle license plates, and a copy of the vehicle registration book through the designated link on the "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" website within the specified time. If the vehicle is more than 6 years old, a Hong Kong Vehicle Inspection Certificate (the inspection document submitted during vehicle license renewal) must also be provided.

In addition, applicants must pay the fee for the "Closed Road Permit," which is HKD $540 per year or HKD $45 per month for each permit.

Step 3: Results in Seven Working Days

Applicants will wait about seven to ten working days to receive notification from the Zhuhai authorities. Successful applicants can then begin to make appointments for vehicle inspections and arrange insurance matters. (Steps Four and Five can be processed simultaneously.)

Step 4: Arrange for Car Inspection by China Inspection Company Limited/ China Travel Service (CTS)

Regardless of the vehicle's age, a vehicle inspection must be scheduled at the designated inspection site (China Inspection Company Limited / China Travel Service), with a fee of HK$800 (of which HK$400 is for processing the border crossing permit). Only electronic payments are accepted (VISA, UnionPay, MasterCard, JCB, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, BOC Pay, UnionPay QR code, Alipay, and WeChat Pay). After a successful inspection, the Zhuhai authorities will be automatically notified. If the vehicle fails the initial inspection, a free re-inspection can be conducted within 14 days.

For vehicles aged 6 years or more (taking 2024 as the application year, for example, a private car manufactured in 2017), if the vehicle license is not due to expire within four months, the Transport Department also accepts inspection bookings for such vehicles. Vehicle owners can directly contact the designated vehicle inspection centers to schedule an inspection to obtain a "Certificate of Roadworthiness" (Vehicle Registration Document) for the "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" application.

What's more, the Guangdong-Hong Kong government announced in March 2024 that vehicles meeting the following conditions do not need to undergo inspection:

• Successfully applied for the northbound travel qualification again within two years after passing the vehicle inspection.
• The electronic temporary entry vehicle license for the mainland is still valid.
• The applicant and the registered vehicle remain unchanged.

Step Five: Obtain Compulsory Third-Party Liability Insurance

Purchase the compulsory third-party liability insurance and complete the filing procedures at a self-service inspection center in the mainland (if necessary). The annual fee ranges from approximately RMB¥1,500 to ¥3,000, depending on the coverage amount and insurance details.

Recommended Top-Up Commercial Insurance

There was an incident where a private car with a Hong Kong license plate was involved in a traffic accident in Zhuhai, crashing violently into a congee shop, causing significant damage to the establishment, with expected compensation costs likely to be high. Currently, the minimum compensation amount for compulsory insurance is ¥180,000 RMB, which is clearly insufficient. Additionally, compulsory insurance only covers third-party personal injury and property damage, excluding the driver and passengers in the vehicle.

It is recommended that drivers of northbound Hong Kong vehicles purchase the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge commercial vehicle insurance (commercial insurance) to protect themselves. Adding coverage of ¥1,000,000 or even ¥2,000,000 RMB on top of the ¥180,000 RMB insurance amount would be equivalent to third-party insurance in Hong Kong.

What are the limitations of Unilateral Recognition?

Hong Kong Consumer Council also reminds policyholders that if you purchase "Unilateral Recognition" through a Hong Kong insurance company, it must be added to your existing car insurance policy with the same insurer. In the event of a traffic accident in mainland China, claims will be handled by the mainland branch, mainland partner insurer, or mainland claims service agency of the Hong Kong insurance company. Therefore, when purchasing insurance, pay attention to the experience and network coverage of the relevant mainland insurance company. (The Compulsory Traffic Insurance or Unilateral Recognition insurance should take effect at least one day before departure.)

Step 6: Upload Insurance and Vehicle Inspection Documents

After completing insurance and vehicle inspection, you need to upload the relevant insurance and vehicle inspection documents to the mainland "Northbound Management Service System". The Zhuhai authorities will approve the application only after the policy becomes effective. Once approved, a Temporary Entry Permit (electronic license) will be issued to the applicant. (Note: The expiration date of the Temporary Entry Permit and the insurance must be the same.)

Step 7: Transport Department Sends Restricted Area Permit

Once the application is approved, the Zhuhai authorities will notify the Hong Kong Transport Department, which will then send the applicant the Restricted Area Permit, also known as the "Closed Road Permit". (Note: The expiration date of the Restricted Area Permit matches the Temporary Entry Permit.)

Step 8: Book Departure Date

After receiving the mainland "Electronic License" and Transport Department "Permit", the applicant must book the designated departure date through the "Designated Day Reservation System". Once the reservation is successful, drivers can drive their registered vehicles across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port to Guangdong Province on the reserved date.

Process 1: Online Submission of Application

Eligible applicants will receive an invitation email from the Transport Department. The email will specify the application period. Applicants must click the link in the email during the specified period, log in to the designated website, and enter the following information to complete the renewal application and pay for the Restricted Area Permit:

• The login password provided in the invitation email
• The applicant's Hong Kong Identity Card number
• Vehicle registration number
• The current valid Closed Road Permit number

*Note: Applicants submitting a renewal application are exempt from submitting the "Designated Driver Declaration".

Northbound Renewal Invitation Schedule (May 2024 to April 2025)

Process 2: Approval by Governments of Both Regions

Once the Transport Department receives the renewal application, it will review the application details and follow up on related documents. After initial approval, the application will be forwarded to the relevant mainland departments for processing. Applicants will then receive an email notification and can check their application status at any time.

The mainland departments will also notify applicants of the approval status and necessary steps in stages through the email provided during the application or via mainland SMS, including:

• Inspecting vehicles at designated inspection sites in Hong Kong (if required);
• Purchasing "Compulsory Third-Party Insurance" or "Unilateral Recognition";
• Uploading insurance documents;
• Other requirements.

Applicants can also use the link on the "Northbound Hong Kong Vehicles" designated website to access the mainland "Mainland Information Management Service System" to check the necessary procedures for the next steps.

Once notified, applicants can enter the mainland "Mainland Information Management Service System" via the designated link on the "Northbound Hong Kong vehicles" website to check the application status and upload their "Compulsory Insurance" or "Unilateral Recognition."

Important Notes

• The validity period of the "Electronic Temporary Entry Vehicle License" (commonly referred to as "Electronic License") must align with that of the "Compulsory Insurance" or "Unilateral Recognition," and cannot exceed one year. Since the validity period of the "Closed Road Permit" must also match the mainland "Electronic License," applicants should ensure that the selected validity period aligns with the insurance.
• According to mainland government regulations, Zhuhai traffic police will only begin approval after the insurance has taken effect. If the insurance is effective at the time of upload, the approval will proceed immediately; if the insurance is not yet effective, approval will only occur after the insurance becomes active.
• Once the approval is granted, the mainland government will issue the "Electronic License." The Transport Department will take one working day to process the results and will notify the applicant of the outcome via email and postal mail within the following two working days. If the application is approved, the Transport Department will send the "Permit" by regular mail.

Step 3: Book Customs Clearance and Depart

Once applicants receive the Mainland "Electronic Permit" and the Transport Department's "Permit," they can book customs clearance dates and times via the designated "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehciles" website.

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Clearance Preparation Checklist:

• Hong Kong Identity Card
• Valid Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents
• Hong Kong and Mainland Driver’s License
• Closed Road Permit (stick on the car’s windshield)
• Mainland Compulsory Insurance Copy
• Hong Kong Third-Party Insurance Copy
• Hong Kong Vehicle Registration Copy

Hong Kong Departure Process

Drive along North Lantau Expressway to Artificial Island → Drive to "Vehicle Clearance Square" → Choose "Hong Kong Residents" Gate → Show ID card → Complete

1. Drive along North Lantau Expressway to the Artificial Island, then follow the "Vehicle Clearance Square" sign (right lane towards Tuen Mun direction). After that, take the right lane for "Private Cars" and after about one minute, you will reach the Vehicle Clearance Square.

2. The checkpoint is divided into "Visitors" and "Hong Kong Residents" channels. Hong Kong residents need to choose the "Hong Kong Residents" gate. After verifying the information, you can continue driving.

3. Based on netizens' experiences, if "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" includes domestic helpers, you can also use the "Hong Kong Residents" channel. When driving to the gate, all passengers in the car need to show their IDs for inspection. After the inspection, you can continue the journey.

Zhuhai Entry Process

Arrive at Zhuhai Port → Pay toll → Passengers get off and walk through clearance → Drive to declaration channel → Complete clearance → Pick up passengers → Complete

1. When driving along the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge towards Zhuhai, you will see signs for "Macau Port" and "Zhuhai Port." Follow the "Zhuhai Port" sign to the toll station and pay the toll (one-way RMB¥150). After leaving the toll station, follow the "Passenger Car Channel" sign to the covered drop-off area.

2. Except for drivers, elderly people, and children, all passengers must get off and walk through the "Entry Personnel Inspection Hall" for clearance inspection.

3. The driver continues to drive the car to the "Declaration Channel," presents the Home Return Permit, opens the car's trunk for inspection, then drives to another checkpoint for vehicle data verification. After completion, you can drive to the passenger pick-up area to pick up passengers, completing the clearance process.

Electric vehicle development in mainland China is booming, but both DC and AC use Chinese National Standards (GB), so Hong Kong electric vehicles cannot directly use mainland charging facilities. Whether it's charging stations in malls, parking lots, or Tesla V2/V3 supercharging stations, they cannot be directly used, and no adapters are provided. Vehicle owners must prepare their own adapters in Hong Kong to solve this issue.

In addition to paying attention to the charging standards, the availability of charging points is also a major concern for electric vehicle drivers. Mainland vehicle owners often use Amap, and by searching for "charging stations" on Amap and selecting "charging power" under the filter options, you can find nearby charging stations, selecting "slow charge" (since the current adapters only support slow charging). The charging station's electricity cost, real-time usage status, and parking fees are also clearly displayed. Furthermore, you can filter charging pile brands as needed.

If you want to know more about charging information and charging stations in mainland China, please refer to "[Electric Vehicle Hong Kong Vehicle Northbound] Four Major Charging Issues and Solutions (Charging Adapter, Finding Charging Stations, Finding Parking Spaces, Accident Handling)".

If a traffic accident occurs after the vehicle enters the mainland section of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, based on territorial principles, call the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Authority monitoring center dispatch hotline (0756 - 2191999) and the relevant insurance company service hotline, then follow the instructions from rescue personnel and the insurance company.

If the accident occurs within Guangdong Province, dial 122 to report the incident and notify the insurance company, and wait for the mainland traffic police to arrive on the scene.

When the mainland traffic police arrive on the scene, they will process the accident according to the "Road Traffic Accident Handling Procedures" with a simplified procedure, issuing a road traffic accident report on-site. If it cannot be done immediately, the police will issue the report within three days.

Unlike Hong Kong, mainland China categorizes traffic accident responsibilities as full responsibility, primary responsibility, equal responsibility, and secondary responsibility, determining the driver's liability for losses at 100%, 70-90%, 50%, and 10-30%, respectively. If there is disagreement with the determination, a written review can be requested within three days of receiving the report.

Regarding compensation, it is not recommended to settle the matter privately with the other party to avoid the risk of a large compensation claim. The insurance company will provide compensation based on the type of insurance and the insured amount, according to actual losses. Therefore, purchasing higher coverage commercial insurance will allow the insurance company to provide more comprehensive services, such as sending staff to assist the vehicle owner or even arranging lawyers.

Applications can be made via the Online Vehicle Management Office website of the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau Traffic Police Department or the "Shenzhen Traffic Police" WeChat official account. Appointments can be booked at 23 designated Public Security Vehicle Management Offices in Guangdong Province. For more details, refer to "[Hong Kong Car Northward Mainland License] Hong Kong to Mainland Driver's License Without a Test 2024 (Application Process and Fees)."

License Category Conversion Table

Mainland highways or some bridges are equipped with manual toll lanes and Yue Tong Card ETC lanes. If the vehicle is equipped with a Yue Tong Card ETC device, it can pass through the ETC toll lanes without stopping to pay, saving a lot of time. Applying for a Yue Tong Card ETC is completely free, and it can also be processed at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge toll station or at theZhuhai Customer Service Center, and here is the application guide for ETC.

Electronic Toll Collection ETC Application｜Required Documents and Information

1. Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents

2. Mainland mobile phone number

3. Vehicle registration book

4. Temporary entry permit

5. Applicant's WeChat Pay account

Electronic Toll Collection ETC Application｜Application Locations

1. Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge toll station

2. Guangzhou-Zhuhai West Line Nanping toll station highway service point

3. E-Serve Card Customer Service Center Zhuhai Branch (Zhuhai City, Xiangzhou District, Qianshan Mingzhu North Road Cuizhu 1st Street, Qiguan Industrial Building 1st floor)

Electronic Toll Collection ETC Application｜Application Process

1. Scan the designated QR code using the "WeChat Mini Program" (displayed at the application location)

2. Select vehicle type - passenger car / Type 1 truck

3. Enter vehicle license plate number

4. Select document type, take photos of both sides of the Home Return Permit and upload them

5. Upload vehicle registration documents (vehicle registration book)

6. Fill in the vehicle owner's name (must match the name on the vehicle registration book), take photos of both sides of the Hong Kong Identity Card and upload them

7. Enter vehicle type, brand/model, engine number, vehicle identification code, vehicle registration date, etc.

8. Enter vehicle dimensions, if unsure, enter 5900 x 1900 x 1400

9. Enter vehicle axle count: 2 and vehicle count: 4

10. After completion, click submit and wait for staff to call for processing

It is important to note that for the first application, you need to deposit ¥200 RMB via WeChat Pay for toll deduction purposes. After receiving the ETC machine and card, in addition to sticking the ETC machine on the car's windshield, you must first connect the ETC machine via Bluetooth to your phone, activate it before use, and in the future, you can also top up the ETC card via your phone.