The government is accelerating the effort to launch the "Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles" scheme next month, starting with a small scale of 100 daily booking quotas, allowing each vehicle to stay for up to three days.
According to a document submitted to the Legislative Council on Tuesday (Oct 14), related preparatory work is in its final stage, and the authorities will announce the details upon final confirmation with the Guangdong authorities.
Among the port carparks, the “Park & Fly” facility will be the first to commence operation, providing about 1,800 parking spaces and offering 24-hour automated parking with airport drop-off and pick-up services.
The authorities stressed that each trip to Hong Kong requires advance booking, and entry must be made on the successfully reserved date.
To ensure traffic safety, both applicants and designated drivers of these northbound vehicles entering Hong Kong's urban areas must hold a formal Hong Kong driver's license.
Mainland residents can obtain a Hong Kong license by taking the local test or by applying for a full driving license through a direct, test-free issuance process using their mainland driver's license.
Applicants must also complete the vehicle license application process, undergo a vehicle inspection, and purchase third-party motor insurance for the duration of their stay in Hong Kong.
To simplify the process for applicants, the government will engage Hong Kong organizations to establish vehicle inspection centers in major cities within Guangdong. These centers will submit the inspection results directly to the Transport Department (TD).
The centers will provide one-stop services, including vehicle inspection, the preparation and installation of Hong Kong license plates, and the installation of HKeToll tags.
Various types of information will also be provided, including application details, Hong Kong’s traffic rules and driving guidelines, as well as contacts for vehicle repair and towing services in Hong Kong.
“We will continue to review the scheme and discuss with Guangdong authorities to increase the quota in an orderly manner, taking into account its actual implementation, user and public adaptability, as well as the usage of supporting facilities,” the document noted.
