1. What types of cross-boundary vehicles are there in Hong Kong?
  2. How does the Government manage and regulate cross-boundary vehicles?
  3. How to apply for operation of cross-boundary coach and hire car services?

1. What types of cross-boundary vehicles are there in Hong Kong?

There are six types of cross-boundary vehicles, including:

  • Cross-Boundary Coaches
  • Cross-Boundary Hire Cars
  • Hong Kong Cross-Boundary Private Cars
  • Mainland Official / Enterprise Vehicles
  • Hong Kong Government Vehicles
  • Cross-Boundary Goods Vehicles

2. How does the Government manage and regulate cross-boundary vehicles?

At present, the numbers of cross-boundary vehicles (except Hong Kong goods vehicles and Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang Cross-boundary Shuttle Buses) travelling between Hong Kong and Guangdong are regulated under a quota system jointly administered by the Governments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Guangdong Province.  The system aims at ensuring the smooth traffic and operation of boundary crossings, and at the same time satisfying the demand for cross-boundary traffic being generated by economic integration and exchanges on various fronts between Hong Kong and the Mainland.  The two Governments will keep the current quota arrangements for cross-boundary vehicles under regular review.

3. How to apply for operation of cross-boundary coach and hire car services ?

Applicants shall first obtain business licence/approval from the Mainland authorities for operation of cross-boundary coach and hire car services as appropriate in the Mainland.  When the  Governments of the Hong Kong and the Guangdong Province decide to invite applications for quotas for cross-boundary coaches or hire cars, the Transport Department of the HKSAR Government will publish the notice on local newspapers, inviting applications.  Eligible applicants shall submit the applications to both the Transport Department and the Land and Air Ports Administration Division of the Port Administration Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province.  All applications will be examined and approved by the two Governments.

Successful applicants with quotas of cross-boundary coach or hire car shall then complete the formalities as required in Hong Kong and the Mainland and shall start providing the cross-boundary coach or hire car service within the specified period.

Regarding cross-boundary coaches, applicants shall apply for the Passenger Service Licence and Passenger Service Licence Certificate from the Transport Department according to the prevailing relevant regulations in Hong Kong and can only start operating the cross-boundary coach service upon receipt of the relevant documents.  The routeings and stopping locations of the cross-boundary coach services within the HKSAR boundary shall be approved by the Transport Department.

 (Please refer to the following webpage for details about application for passenger service licence for operation of non-franchised bus service: http://www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/buses/non_franchised/application_for_passenger_service_licence_psl_fo/index.html)

As for cross-boundary hire cars, applicants shall apply for the Hire Car Permit - Private Service (Limousine) (Cross-boundary) from the Transport Department according to the prevailing relevant regulations in Hong Kong and can only start operating the cross-boundary hire car service upon receipt of the permit.

(Please refer to the following webpages for details about application for hire car permit: http://www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/frequently_asked_questions/hire_car_permits/index.html

http://www.td.gov.hk/en/public_forms/td_forms/public_vehicles/index.html#Hire Car)

(For details about regulation on cross-boundary vehicles and the relevant formalities in the Mainland, please make enquiries to the Mainland authorities concerned or visit the webpage at http://www.gdga.gov.cn/)