The Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulation 2025, the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulation 2025, the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulation 2025 and the Road Traffic (Traffic Control) (Amendment) Regulation 2025 (collectively the Amendment Regulations) were gazetted today (July 18). The Amendment Regulations seek to provide greater convenience for cross-boundary vehicles by streamlining the arrangements of Closed Road Permits (CRP) and International Circulation Permits (ICP).

     A spokesperson for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, "With the increasingly frequent traffic flow among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, the Government has been proactively enhancing the relevant licensing services of the Transport Department in order to assist drivers and more effectively respond to the growing demand for cross-boundary travel. The Amendment Regulations will streamline the application procedures and requirements, and are expected to reduce and simplify the procedures for applicants/permit holders of the regular quota schemes, Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles and the recently announced Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles schemes, bringing them greater convenience."

     The major proposed amendments in the Amendment Regulations include:

(1) CRP: extending the maximum validity period of CRP from 12 months to 60 months for cross-boundary vehicles, and adjusting the fee levels for CRP to cost-recovery levels; and exempting vehicles participating in designated cross-boundary driving schemes that meet the specified requirements from applying for a CRP based on risk control consideration. As the CRP will either be exempted or with its validity extended, the CRP fees payable by users will generally be reduced; and

(2) ICP: introducing electronic ICPs (e-ICP) with a streamlined application and collection process, allowing applicants to submit applications and supporting documents online, and to collect e-ICP with self-printing.

     The Government consulted the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Transport on the above streamlining arrangements for CRP and ICP respectively, and received general support from the Members. The Amendment Regulations will be tabled at the LegCo on July 23 for negative vetting. Subject to scrutiny by the LegCo, the exemption arrangement for CRP and the streamlining measures for ICP under the Amendment Regulations will be effective on October 1 this year; and the arrangements for extension of CRP validity period and fees adjustment will be effective on January 1, 2026. The Transport Department will continue to enhance different cross-boundary transport measures, providing a better travel experience for Hong Kong citizens and cross-boundary travellers.

Ends/Friday, July 18, 2025
Issued at HKT 16:20

NNNN