New road traffic requirements to take effect March 1
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Following the passage of the Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulation 2024, the Road Traffic (Traffic Control) (Amendment) Regulation 2024 and the Road Traffic (Expressway) (Amendment) Regulation 2024 by the Legislative Council, starting from March 1, 2025:
(1) Requiring vehicles with extendable aerial structures to be equipped with over-height warning system
All vehicles with an extendable aerial structure must be equipped with an over-height warning system before specified dates to improve vehicle safety. To ensure the trades' smooth transition, lorry cranes first registered before March 1, 2025, must comply with the new requirement on the vehicle examination date for licence renewal on or after September 1, 2025, while those with an extendable aerial structure other than lorry cranes, such as tippers, mobile cranes and aerial platforms, first registered before March 1, 2025, must comply with the new requirement on the vehicle examination date for licence renewal on or after September 1, 2026.
The TD will formulate relevant technical guidelines on the requirements of installing over-height warning systems, and issue letters to relevant trades and owners of vehicles with extendable aerial structures that they shall comply with the requirements of installing over-height warning systems;
(2) Relaxing restriction on type of information to be displayed on visual display unit when vehicle is parked
There will be no restriction on the information displayed on a visual display unit installed in or on a vehicle when its parking brake is applied (i.e. the vehicle is parked), so that drivers may better receive information. The TD will formulate guidelines on the technical requirements for a visual display unit. Vehicle owners may also check with relevant vehicle dealers or importers on whether the visual display unit of vehicle models can meet the new technical requirements;
(3) Enabling use of remote control parking function
A driver may use a mobile phone or other telecommunications equipment to perform the remote control parking (RCP) function under specified conditions, enabling safe parking. To ensure safety, the safety performance of the RCP system must comply with the technical requirements set by the TD. Vehicles may only be equipped with the RCP systems approved by the TD. The TD will review and approve the RCP system during the type approval of new imported vehicles. For existing vehicles with the RCP system, the relevant vehicle dealers or importers are required to submit individual applications to the TD.
The TD will formulate relevant technical guidelines and application procedures for reference by the trade. Vehicle owners may check with relevant vehicle dealers or importers on whether the vehicle models are equipped with the RCP system;
(4) Specified types of electric vehicles no longer requiring an expressway permit
Electric taxis, electric private light buses, electric buses (including private and public buses), electric goods vehicles (including light, medium and heavy goods vehicles) and electric recovery vehicles with a minimum rated power of 7 kilowatts will be permitted to travel on expressways without the need to apply for an expressway permit. The TD will inform the trade of the types of electric vehicles that can be used on expressways. As for electric private cars with a rated power of not less than 7 kilowatts or electric motor cycles or motor tricycles with a rated power of not less than 3 kilowatts, they have already been allowed to be used on expressways without the need to apply for an expressway permit; and
(5) Other technical amendments
The maximum allowable overall height of single-decked buses will be relaxed from 3.5 to 4.0 metres. The use of light-emitting diodes (LED) for lamps and direction indicators carried by vehicles will be allowed, aligning with the international standards. The TD will formulate relevant technical guidelines for vehicle lightings for reference by the trade and members of the public.
A spokesman for the TD said, "The various new requirements aim to provide convenience to the public, enhance road safety, and promote the application and development of new automotive technologies in Hong Kong, keeping up with the international vehicle construction and maintenance standards."
The TD will launch a series of publicity and education activities, and host briefings for the automotive trades concerned to introduce the legal requirements and relevant application procedures. It will also issue letters to local dealers of registered vehicle manufacturers and vehicle importers to remind them to take follow-up actions for compliance with the requirements of the Amendment Regulations. Vehicle owners may consult the relevant vehicle dealers or importers for details.
Ends/Sunday, February 23, 2025
Issued at HKT 10:00
Issued at HKT 10:00
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