Maximum two screens allowed in front of drivers from Jan 25

Drivers in Hong Kong will no longer be allowed to place more than two mobile telecommunications devices – such as mobile phones, tablets, and laptops – in front of them while driving from January 25, according to the Transport Department.

Each screen must measure no more than 19 centimeters diagonally and must not obstruct the driver’s view of the road, traffic, mirrors, or monitoring equipment.

Violators could be fined up to HK$2,000. Built-in electronic screens in vehicles, including those used for navigation or radio functions, will not be counted under the rule.

This comes alongside another safety measure, which requires all seated passengers in public transport and commercial vehicles to wear seat belts from the same date.

For student service vehicles, babysitters will be responsible for ensuring children are buckled before departure.
If a belt comes loose during the journey, TD said, caregivers should remind the child to refasten it. Should that fail, drivers must stop the vehicle to secure the belt before continuing.

Separately, no queuing gangs were seen yesterday after TD scrapped on-site ticketing for applications under the Direct Issue of a Full Driving Licence without a local driving test.

Beginning January 12, licensing offices will instead distribute 300 electronic same-day tickets daily.

The change follows the launch last month of the Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme, which requires mainland drivers to hold Hong Kong driving licenses.

Demand for direct-issue licenses has since surged, leading to scenes of overnight camping outside the Admiralty office as applicants sought to secure the limited daily tokens.