LegCo passes bill for regulatory regime for ride-hailing services

The ride-hailing service bill was passed following its third reading, with the initial cohort of licensed platforms anticipated to commence operations as early as the fourth quarter of the upcoming year.

A majority of lawmakers endorsed the bill through an anonymous vote.

The legislation mandates that ride-hailing drivers, vehicles, and platforms obtain the necessary licenses; however, it relaxes the vehicle age requirement to a maximum of 12 years. 

Licenses may be renewed for a duration of up to five years, contingent upon annual vehicle inspections and the procurement of mandatory commercial third-party liability insurance. 

Additionally, the bill stipulates that ride-hailing vehicles are prohibited from being rented out and must be operated exclusively by the registered vehicle owner. Violations by drivers, vehicle owners, or platforms will result in fines of at least HK$10,000.  

Ride-hailing drivers must be at least 21 years old and have no serious traffic convictions in the five years before application. They must also pass a designated assessment, and their permits will be valid for five years.  
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan emphasized that regulating ride-hailing is not only a public transportation issue but also involves innovation, technology, and smart city development. 
She noted that personalized point-to-point ride-hailing services have become an indispensable part of public transportation systems in major cities worldwide.  
Lawmaker Martin Liao Cheung-kong mentioned that ride-hailing services are already widespread in mainland China, Singapore, UK and Australia. 
Even Japan, which had previously taken a conservative stance on ride-hailing, began a trial in Tokyo last year, allowing private car owners to offer ride-hailing services and considering the inclusion of foreign ride-hailing platforms while improving the relevant legal framework, he added.