
The 2025 scheme for Hong Kong private cars traveling to Guangdong
As of late April 2024, vehicles using the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) for cross-border travel have exceeded 10 million trips. Kwiksure provides essential tips for applying for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong vehicles, including the 8-step application process, renewal methods, converting to a mainland driving license, applying for ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) for highways, and explaining the insurance required for the scheme. Is third-party liability insurance sufficient? What should you do in case of an accident in mainland China? How do you navigate the border-crossing process?
HK Car to China Application Procedures, Driver Qualifications, and Latest Renewal Arrangements
The Transport Department announced that starting May 14, applicants holding a valid "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" Closed Road Permit (CRP) expiring on or after July 2024 and fully meeting the "renewal application qualifications" no longer need to participate in the computerized lottery.
The new arrangement applies only under the following three unchanged conditions:
- The applicant remains unchanged.
- The vehicle remains unchanged.
- The designated driver remains unchanged.
If the applicant does not meet any of the above conditions, they must re-enter the computerized lottery.
Application Requirements for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles
- The vehicle must be a non-commercial private car.
- The vehicle license must be held under an individual's name, not a company's.
- The private car must have no more than 8 seats (including the driver) and a length not exceeding 6 meters.
Driver Application Requirements for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles
- Applicants must hold a valid Hong Kong Identity Card and a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents.
- Drivers must possess both Hong Kong and mainland private car driving licenses (refer to the process for converting to a mainland license below).
- Applicants must be the registered owner of the private car being applied for.
8 Steps for Applying for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles
8 Steps for Applying for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles |
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Step 1 |
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Step 2 |
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Step 3 |
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Step 4 |
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Step 5 |
Purchase Third-Party Liability Insurance/Equivalent Recognized Insurance |
Step 6 |
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Step 7 |
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Step 8 |
Step 1: Online Application for Lottery
Visit the Transport Department's Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles website to apply for the lottery. Successful applicants can submit their applications online within the specified timeframe.
Latest HK Car to China Lottery Schedule (November 2024 to May 2025)
Lottery Registration Dates |
Lottery Results Announcement |
Application Submission Dates for Successful Applicants |
November 18 (10:00 AM) to November 21 (11:59 PM) | November 22 (10:00 AM) | November 25 to December 7 |
December 2 (10:00 AM) to December 5 (11:59 PM) | December 6 (10:00 AM) | December 9 to December 21 |
December 16 (10:00 AM) to December 19 (11:59 PM) | December 20 (10:00 AM) | December 23 to January 4 |
December 30 (10:00 AM) to January 2 (11:59 PM) | January 3 (10:00 AM) | January 6 to January 18 |
January 13 (10:00 AM) to January 16 (11:59 PM) | January 17 (10:00 AM) | January 20 to February 1 |
January 27 (10:00 AM) to January 30 (11:59 PM) |
January 31 (10:00 AM) | February 3 to February 15 |
February 10 (10:00 AM) to February 13 (11:59 PM) |
February 14 (10:00 AM) | February 17 to March 1 |
February 24 (10:00 AM) to February 27 (11:59 PM) |
February 28 (10:00 AM) | March 3 to March 15 |
March 10 (10:00 AM) to March 13 (11:59 PM) |
March 14 (10:00 AM) | March 17 to March 29 |
March 24 (10:00 AM) to March 27 (11:59 PM) |
March 28 (10:00 AM) | March 31 to April 12 |
April 7 (10:00 AM) to April 10 (11:59 PM) |
April 11 (10:00 AM) | April 14 to April 26 |
April 21 (10:00 AM) to April 24 (11:59 PM) |
April 25 (10:00 AM) | April 28 to May 10 |
May 5 (10:00 AM) to May 8 (11:59 PM) |
May 9 (10:00 AM) | May 12 to May 24 |
May 19 (10:00 AM) to May 22 (11:59 PM) |
May 23 (10:00 AM) | May 26 to June 7 |
How Many Quotas Are There for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles?
Currently, the "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" program accepts registrations for a computer lottery every two weeks, processing 400 applications each working day. If the number of applications exceeds the preset limit, a lottery will be conducted.
8 Essential Tips for the Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles Lottery
- Applicants will not automatically become designated drivers. If an applicant wishes to designate themselves as one of the designated drivers, they must provide the relevant information in the application form and upload a color copy of the front and back pages of their mainland driver's license.
- Once information is submitted, it cannot be changed, such as adding or removing driver or vehicle information. If changes are needed, a new application must be submitted, and fees paid will not be refunded.
- After a successful application, you must visit the Transport Department's "Designated Date Reservation System" website to book your departure date and time.
- If an applicant has failed to cancel a successfully reserved designated date twice within three months, their eligibility to apply for reservations through the "Designated Date Reservation System" will be suspended for three months.
- The "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" program does not allow for renewals. Applications can be resubmitted within 30 days before the expiration date, along with the required documents.
Step 2: Submit Necessary Application Documents
After winning the lottery, applicants must submit basic documents including their identity card, dual-region vehicle license plates, and a copy of the vehicle registration book through the designated link on the "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" website within the specified time. If the vehicle is more than 6 years old, a Hong Kong Vehicle Inspection Certificate (the inspection document submitted during vehicle license renewal) must also be provided.
In addition, applicants must pay the fee for the "Closed Road Permit," which is HKD $540 per year or HKD $45 per month for each permit.
Step 3: Results in Seven Working Days
Applicants will wait about seven to ten working days to receive notification from the Zhuhai authorities. Successful applicants can then begin to make appointments for vehicle inspections and arrange insurance matters. (Steps Four and Five can be processed simultaneously.)
Step 4: Arrange for Car Inspection by China Inspection Company Limited/ China Travel Service (CTS)
Regardless of the vehicle's age, a vehicle inspection must be scheduled at the designated inspection site (China Inspection Company Limited / China Travel Service), with a fee of HK$800 (of which HK$400 is for processing the border crossing permit). Only electronic payments are accepted (VISA, UnionPay, MasterCard, JCB, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, BOC Pay, UnionPay QR code, Alipay, and WeChat Pay). After a successful inspection, the Zhuhai authorities will be automatically notified. If the vehicle fails the initial inspection, a free re-inspection can be conducted within 14 days.
For vehicles aged 6 years or more (taking 2024 as the application year, for example, a private car manufactured in 2017), if the vehicle license is not due to expire within four months, the Transport Department also accepts inspection bookings for such vehicles. Vehicle owners can directly contact the designated vehicle inspection centers to schedule an inspection to obtain a "Certificate of Roadworthiness" (Vehicle Registration Document) for the "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" application.
What's more, the Guangdong-Hong Kong government announced in March 2024 that vehicles meeting the following conditions do not need to undergo inspection:
- Successfully applied for the northbound travel qualification again within two years after passing the vehicle inspection.
- The electronic temporary entry vehicle license for the mainland is still valid.
- The applicant and the registered vehicle remain unchanged.
Step Five: Obtain Compulsory Third-Party Liability Insurance
Purchase the compulsory third-party liability insurance and complete the filing procedures at a self-service inspection center in the mainland (if necessary). The annual fee ranges from approximately RMB¥1,500 to ¥3,000, depending on the coverage amount and insurance details.
Recommended Top-Up Commercial Insurance
There was an incident where a private car with a Hong Kong license plate was involved in a traffic accident in Zhuhai, crashing violently into a congee shop, causing significant damage to the establishment, with expected compensation costs likely to be high. Currently, the minimum compensation amount for compulsory insurance is ¥180,000 RMB, which is clearly insufficient. Additionally, compulsory insurance only covers third-party personal injury and property damage, excluding the driver and passengers in the vehicle.
It is recommended that drivers of northbound Hong Kong vehicles purchase the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge commercial vehicle insurance (commercial insurance) to protect themselves. Adding coverage of ¥1,000,000 or even ¥2,000,000 RMB on top of the ¥180,000 RMB insurance amount would be equivalent to third-party insurance in Hong Kong.
What are the limitations of Unilateral Recognition?
Hong Kong Consumer Council also reminds policyholders that if you purchase "Unilateral Recognition" through a Hong Kong insurance company, it must be added to your existing car insurance policy with the same insurer. In the event of a traffic accident in mainland China, claims will be handled by the mainland branch, mainland partner insurer, or mainland claims service agency of the Hong Kong insurance company. Therefore, when purchasing insurance, pay attention to the experience and network coverage of the relevant mainland insurance company. (The Compulsory Traffic Insurance or Unilateral Recognition insurance should take effect at least one day before departure.)
Compensation Limit (Per Accident) |
Compulsory Traffic Insurance (Liability) |
Compulsory Traffic Insurance (Non-Liability) |
Commercial Insurance |
Death and Disability Compensation Limit |
¥180,000 RMB |
¥18,000 RMB |
¥100,000 to ¥1,000,000 RMB (Depending on the insured amount) |
Medical Expenses Compensation Limit |
¥18,000 RMB |
¥1,800 RMB |
¥100,000 to ¥1,000,000 RMB (Depending on the insured amount) |
Property Damage Compensation Limit |
¥2,000 RMB |
¥100 RMB |
¥100,000 to ¥1,000,000 RMB (Depending on the insured amount) |
In-Vehicle Personnel Liability Compensation Limit |
None |
None |
¥10,000 to ¥100,000 RMB (Depending on the insured amount) |
Step 6: Upload Insurance and Vehicle Inspection Documents
After completing insurance and vehicle inspection, you need to upload the relevant insurance and vehicle inspection documents to the mainland "Northbound Management Service System". The Zhuhai authorities will approve the application only after the policy becomes effective. Once approved, a Temporary Entry Permit (electronic license) will be issued to the applicant. (Note: The expiration date of the Temporary Entry Permit and the insurance must be the same.)
Step 7: Transport Department Sends Restricted Area Permit
Once the application is approved, the Zhuhai authorities will notify the Hong Kong Transport Department, which will then send the applicant the Restricted Area Permit, also known as the "Closed Road Permit". (Note: The expiration date of the Restricted Area Permit matches the Temporary Entry Permit.)
Step 8: Book Departure Date
After receiving the mainland "Electronic License" and Transport Department "Permit", the applicant must book the designated departure date through the "Designated Day Reservation System". Once the reservation is successful, drivers can drive their registered vehicles across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port to Guangdong Province on the reserved date.
3 Northbound Renewal Process for Hong Kong Cars
Process 1: Online Submission of Application
Eligible applicants will receive an invitation email from the Transport Department. The email will specify the application period. Applicants must click the link in the email during the specified period, log in to the designated website, and enter the following information to complete the renewal application and pay for the Restricted Area Permit:
- The login password provided in the invitation email
- The applicant's Hong Kong Identity Card number
- Vehicle registration number
- The current valid Closed Road Permit number
*Note: Applicants submitting a renewal application are exempt from submitting the "Designated Driver Declaration".
Northbound Renewal Invitation Schedule (May 2024 to April 2025)
Expiration Date of "Closed Road Permit" | Expected Invitation Email Sent Date | Expected Submission Date Range for "Northbound Renewal" Application |
December 2024 | Late September to Late October | Early October to Early November |
January 2025 | Late October to Late November | Early November to Late November |
February 2025 | Late November to Late December | Early December to Late December |
March 2025 | Late December to Late January | Late December to Early February |
April 2025 | Late January to Late February | Early February to Early March |
May 2025 | Late February to Mid-March | Early March to Late March |
June 2025 | Late March to Mid-April | Late March to Late April |
Process 2: Approval by Governments of Both Regions
Once the Transport Department receives the renewal application, it will review the application details and follow up on related documents. After initial approval, the application will be forwarded to the relevant mainland departments for processing. Applicants will then receive an email notification and can check their application status at any time.
The mainland departments will also notify applicants of the approval status and necessary steps in stages through the email provided during the application or via mainland SMS, including:
- Inspecting vehicles at designated inspection sites in Hong Kong (if required);
- Purchasing "Compulsory Third-Party Insurance" or "Unilateral Recognition";
- Uploading insurance documents;
- Other requirements.
Applicants can also use the link on the "Northbound Hong Kong Vehicles" designated website to access the mainland "Mainland Information Management Service System" to check the necessary procedures for the next steps.
Once notified, applicants can enter the mainland "Mainland Information Management Service System" via the designated link on the "Northbound Hong Kong vehicles" website to check the application status and upload their "Compulsory Insurance" or "Unilateral Recognition."
Important Notes
- The validity period of the "Electronic Temporary Entry Vehicle License" (commonly referred to as "Electronic License") must align with that of the "Compulsory Insurance" or "Unilateral Recognition," and cannot exceed one year. Since the validity period of the "Closed Road Permit" must also match the mainland "Electronic License," applicants should ensure that the selected validity period aligns with the insurance.
- According to mainland government regulations, Zhuhai traffic police will only begin approval after the insurance has taken effect. If the insurance is effective at the time of upload, the approval will proceed immediately; if the insurance is not yet effective, approval will only occur after the insurance becomes active.
- Once the approval is granted, the mainland government will issue the "Electronic License." The Transport Department will take one working day to process the results and will notify the applicant of the outcome via email and postal mail within the following two working days. If the application is approved, the Transport Department will send the "Permit" by regular mail.
Step 3: Book Customs Clearance and Depart
Once applicants receive the Mainland "Electronic Permit" and the Transport Department's "Permit," they can book customs clearance dates and times via the designated "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehciles" website.
Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles: Fees Overview
Fee Item |
Cost |
Closed Road Permit |
HK$540 per year or HK$45 per month |
Mainland Vehicle License Replacement |
RMB¥480 / License Issuance Fee RMB¥10 per license |
Vehicle Inspection Fee (Private Car) |
HK$800 (including HK$400 for processing the customs clearance card) |
Insurance Fee |
RMB¥1,500 to RMB¥3,000 per year |
Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Toll Station |
¥150 RMB per trip |
Total |
Approximately HK$3,000 to HK$5,000 |
How Can Hong Kong Drivers Apply for or Obtain a Mainland License Without a Test?
Applications can be made via the Online Vehicle Management Office website of the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau Traffic Police Department or the "Shenzhen Traffic Police" WeChat official account. Appointments can be booked at 23 designated Public Security Vehicle Management Offices in Guangdong Province. For more details, refer to "[Hong Kong Car Northward Mainland License] Hong Kong to Mainland Driver's License Without a Test 2024 (Application Process and Fees)."
License Category Conversion Table
Holders of Hong Kong Full Driving Licenses (Any Class) |
Eligible to Obtain Mainland Driving License Without a Test |
Class 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 Driving Licenses |
Small Vehicles (C1 Class) |
Category A Automatic Transmission Vehicle License (Excluding Class 3 and 22) |
Small Automatic Transmission Vehicle (C2 Class) |
Class 3 Motorcycle, Class 22 Motor Tricycle Driving Licenses (Excluding Category A) |
Two-Wheeled Motorcycle (E Class) |
What to Do in Case of a Car Accident in Mainland China?
If a traffic accident occurs after the vehicle enters the mainland section of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, based on territorial principles, call the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Authority monitoring center dispatch hotline (0756 - 2191999) and the relevant insurance company service hotline, then follow the instructions from rescue personnel and the insurance company.
If the accident occurs within Guangdong Province, dial 122 to report the incident and notify the insurance company, and wait for the mainland traffic police to arrive on the scene.
When the mainland traffic police arrive on the scene, they will process the accident according to the "Road Traffic Accident Handling Procedures" with a simplified procedure, issuing a road traffic accident report on-site. If it cannot be done immediately, the police will issue the report within three days.
Unlike Hong Kong, mainland China categorizes traffic accident responsibilities as full responsibility, primary responsibility, equal responsibility, and secondary responsibility, determining the driver's liability for losses at 100%, 70-90%, 50%, and 10-30%, respectively. If there is disagreement with the determination, a written review can be requested within three days of receiving the report.
Regarding compensation, it is not recommended to settle the matter privately with the other party to avoid the risk of a large compensation claim. The insurance company will provide compensation based on the type of insurance and the insured amount, according to actual losses. Therefore, purchasing higher coverage commercial insurance will allow the insurance company to provide more comprehensive services, such as sending staff to assist the vehicle owner or even arranging lawyers.
E-Serve Card Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) Application Guide
Mainland highways or some bridges are equipped with manual toll lanes and Yue Tong Card ETC lanes. If the vehicle is equipped with a Yue Tong Card ETC device, it can pass through the ETC toll lanes without stopping to pay, saving a lot of time. Applying for a Yue Tong Card ETC is completely free, and it can also be processed at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge toll station or at theZhuhai Customer Service Center, and here is the application guide for ETC.
Electronic Toll Collection ETC Application|Required Documents and Information
1. Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents
2. Mainland mobile phone number
3. Vehicle registration book
4. Temporary entry permit
5. Applicant's WeChat Pay account
Electronic Toll Collection ETC Application|Application Locations
1. Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge toll station
2. Guangzhou-Zhuhai West Line Nanping toll station highway service point
3. E-Serve Card Customer Service Center Zhuhai Branch (Zhuhai City, Xiangzhou District, Qianshan Mingzhu North Road Cuizhu 1st Street, Qiguan Industrial Building 1st floor)
Electronic Toll Collection ETC Application|Application Process
1. Scan the designated QR code using the "WeChat Mini Program" (displayed at the application location)
2. Select vehicle type - passenger car / Type 1 truck
3. Enter vehicle license plate number
4. Select document type, take photos of both sides of the Home Return Permit and upload them
5. Upload vehicle registration documents (vehicle registration book)
6. Fill in the vehicle owner's name (must match the name on the vehicle registration book), take photos of both sides of the Hong Kong Identity Card and upload them
7. Enter vehicle type, brand/model, engine number, vehicle identification code, vehicle registration date, etc.
8. Enter vehicle dimensions, if unsure, enter 5900 x 1900 x 1400
9. Enter vehicle axle count: 2 and vehicle count: 4
10. After completion, click submit and wait for staff to call for processing
It is important to note that for the first application, you need to deposit ¥200 RMB via WeChat Pay for toll deduction purposes. After receiving the ETC machine and card, in addition to sticking the ETC machine on the car's windshield, you must first connect the ETC machine via Bluetooth to your phone, activate it before use, and in the future, you can also top up the ETC card via your phone.
Precautions for Electric Vehicles Heading North
Electric vehicle development in mainland China is booming, but both DC and AC use Chinese National Standards (GB), so Hong Kong electric vehicles cannot directly use mainland charging facilities. Whether it's charging stations in malls, parking lots, or Tesla V2/V3 supercharging stations, they cannot be directly used, and no adapters are provided. Vehicle owners must prepare their own adapters in Hong Kong to solve this issue.
In addition to paying attention to the charging standards, the availability of charging points is also a major concern for electric vehicle drivers. Mainland vehicle owners often use Amap, and by searching for "charging stations" on Amap and selecting "charging power" under the filter options, you can find nearby charging stations, selecting "slow charge" (since the current adapters only support slow charging). The charging station's electricity cost, real-time usage status, and parking fees are also clearly displayed. Furthermore, you can filter charging pile brands as needed.
If you want to know more about charging information and charging stations in mainland China, please refer to "[Electric Vehicle Hong Kong Vehicle Northbound] Four Major Charging Issues and Solutions (Charging Adapter, Finding Charging Stations, Finding Parking Spaces, Accident Handling)".
Zhuhai Port Clearance Process
Clearance Preparation Checklist:
- Hong Kong Identity Card
- Valid Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents
- Hong Kong and Mainland Driver’s License
- Closed Road Permit (stick on the car’s windshield)
- Mainland Compulsory Insurance Copy
- Hong Kong Third-Party Insurance Copy
- Hong Kong Vehicle Registration Copy
Hong Kong Departure Process
Drive along North Lantau Expressway to Artificial Island → Drive to "Vehicle Clearance Square" → Choose "Hong Kong Residents" Gate → Show ID card → Complete
1. Drive along North Lantau Expressway to the Artificial Island, then follow the "Vehicle Clearance Square" sign (right lane towards Tuen Mun direction). After that, take the right lane for "Private Cars" and after about one minute, you will reach the Vehicle Clearance Square.
2. The checkpoint is divided into "Visitors" and "Hong Kong Residents" channels. Hong Kong residents need to choose the "Hong Kong Residents" gate. After verifying the information, you can continue driving.
3. Based on netizens' experiences, if "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" includes domestic helpers, you can also use the "Hong Kong Residents" channel. When driving to the gate, all passengers in the car need to show their IDs for inspection. After the inspection, you can continue the journey.
Zhuhai Entry Process
Arrive at Zhuhai Port → Pay toll → Passengers get off and walk through clearance → Drive to declaration channel → Complete clearance → Pick up passengers → Complete
1. When driving along the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge towards Zhuhai, you will see signs for "Macau Port" and "Zhuhai Port." Follow the "Zhuhai Port" sign to the toll station and pay the toll (one-way RMB¥150). After leaving the toll station, follow the "Passenger Car Channel" sign to the covered drop-off area.
2. Except for drivers, elderly people, and children, all passengers must get off and walk through the "Entry Personnel Inspection Hall" for clearance inspection.
3. The driver continues to drive the car to the "Declaration Channel," presents the Home Return Permit, opens the car's trunk for inspection, then drives to another checkpoint for vehicle data verification. After completion, you can drive to the passenger pick-up area to pick up passengers, completing the clearance process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are there any driving restrictions for Hong Kong vehicles heading north?
A: According to current regulations, vehicles can only be driven in designated areas and roads within Guangdong Province. They cannot enter other provinces in mainland China beyond Guangdong Province.
Q: Do Hong Kong vehicles heading north need to participate in the lottery again when renewing?
A: The Transport Department announced that starting from May 14, applicants who hold a "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" closed road permit that expires in July 2024 or later and meet the "renewal application criteria" no longer need to participate in the lottery.
Q: Do Hong Kong vehicles heading north need to be inspected every time?
A: If the vehicle passes the inspection the first time, no further inspection is needed for renewal applications within two years.
