Govt to raise illegal parking penalties to $400, doubling metered parking charges

The government on Wednesday (July 9) proposed to adjust traffic-related fees, including increasing the penalty for illegal parking from HK$320 to HK$400 and doubling the metered parking fees for private cars.

Up to 50 percent increase in traffic offence penalties

According to the legislative amendments formulated by the authorities, the government suggested raising the fixed penalty for illegal parking to HK$400, marking a 25 percent increase.

Additionally, fixed penalties for 19 other traffic offenses related to road safety and traffic congestion, including speeding and running red lights, will face an average 50 percent increase, with penalties ranging from HK$480 to HK$1,500. 

However, penalty amounts for other traffic offences will remain unchanged. 

The spokesman for the Transport and Logistics Bureau explained that the fixed penalty levels for illegal parking and most of the traffic contraventions have not been adjusted in 31 years, potentially diminishing their deterrent effect due to inflation.

Highlighting the upward trend of certain traffic offences, the spokesman believed the adjustment could enhance both the deterrent effect and traffic safety with comparatively low fixed penalty levels of traffic contraventions than various overseas regions.

To optimize the use of limited parking resources and encourage quicker turnover, the government also proposes to increase the maximum fee for metered parking from HK$2 to HK$4 every 15 minutes, establishing a maximum hourly charge of HK$16. 

The new fees are set to take effect on September 28, while existing rates for metered parking space for good vehicles, buses, and coaches will remain unchanged.

Amendments to be gazetted by the end of July

The Road Traffic (Parking) (Amendment) Regulation 2025, which includes the new metered parking fee, will be gazetted on July 18 and presented to the Legislative Council for negative vetting on July 23. 

Meanwhile, the penalties for various traffic offenses will be subject to amendments under positive vetting,  with the Secretary for Transport and Logistics moving a motion at the Council meeting on July 30 to pass the resolutions.

Extension of annual license fee structure of electric private cars 

Regarding electric private car license fees, the government has proposed to extend the five-tier license fee structure from three years to six years, taking effect from November 1 until 2030. 

Following the adjustment, the new annual license fee levels will range from HK$3,000 to HK$11,000 based on the vehicle's rated power, with existing electric private cars granted a four-month grace period.