Guangdong – Hong Kong Cross-Boundary Driving
With the increasing economic integration between Hong Kong and the Mainland, cross-boundary driving has become more frequent than ever. If you possess a valid full Hong Kong driving licence and need to drive a private car registered in Hong Kong across the border, please read the following information on how to apply for the licences and permits required by the Hong Kong and Guangdong Governments. Applicants may also find useful information and advice for cross-boundary driving activities here.
Guangdong-Hong Kong Regular Quotas
To drive across the boundary, both the car and the driver need to be approved by relevant authorities. Applicants have to complete the following applications:
- Mainland Driving Licence
Any Hong Kong resident holding a valid full Hong Kong driving licence can apply for the direct issue of the Mainland driving licence for private car from the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department (GDPSD).
The applicant must apply in person at the licensing counter of any of the designated Vehicle Control Offices in Guangdong Province and undergo body check at qualified medical institutes in Guangdong Province. For details of the application requirements, applicants may contact the Guangdong Transport Safety Integrated Service Platform at 86-Area Number-12123 or the Government hotline at 86-Area Number-12345 or obtain the latest information from websites or WeChat official accounts of Traffic Police in respective areas.
- Application for Mainland Approval Notice
To be eligible for an Approval Notice from the GDPSD, applicants need to meet the requirements stipulated by the GDPSD. For more details on the eligibility and other requirements for the application of the Approval Notice, please contact GDPSD at (8620) 8311 1536 or visit GDPSD's website.
- Application for Closed Road Permit
Upon obtaining the Approval Notice from the GDPSD, applicants need to apply for an International Circulation Permit (“ICP”) and/or a Closed Road Permit (“CRP”) from the Transport Department in Hong Kong.
International Circulation Permit (“ICP”):
Issue to vehicles entering Hong Kong from outside Hong Kong. All registered and eligible Mainland and Macao cross-boundary vehicles have to apply for this permit.
Closed Road Permit for Cross-Boundary Vehicles (“CRP”):
Allow eligible vehicles to travel within Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao via designated boundary control point(s) (including Shenzhen Bay Port, Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To, Sha Tau Kok, Heung Yuen Wai and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge). All registered and eligible Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao cross-boundary vehicles have to apply for this permit.
Check out the link below for more details:
Guidebook – “Closed Road Permit” for cross-boundary vehicles between Guangdong and Hong Kong
Required Documents
Please refer to the Transport Department – Supporting Documents Required for Applications for Closed Road Permit for Cross-boundary Vehicles.
Please ensure that the vehicle should possess a valid Hong Kong vehicle licence when applying for and upon issue of a Closed Road Permit.
When processing an application, the Transport Department may require the applicant to submit supplementary documents or re-submit supporting documents.
For enquiries, please visit the following link or contact the Transport Department at 2804 2600.
The Transport Department also provides private car owners who are not eligible for regular quotas with an additional means of transport to cross the boundary.
Ad Hoc Quota for Cross-Boundary Private Car
Allow owners of Hong Kong non-commercial private car with seating capacity of 5 or below to drive into the Guangdong Province via the Shenzhen Bay Port once for a stay of not more than 7 days.
Guidebook - Ad Hoc Quotas for Cross-Boundary Private Cars
To apply for the ad hoc quota, applicants have to fulfill certain requirements and follow the three steps below to complete the application.
- Make reservation for an ad hoc quota from the Transport Department.
- Apply for the quota and a “CRP” from the Transport Department.
- Complete the formalities required by the Mainland Government authorities.
Applicants should read the application guide below for details before submitting an application.
Application Guide for Ad Hoc Quotas for Cross-Boundary Private Cars
Since the level of driving skills, experience and ability, etc. required of drivers in the Guangdong Province are quite different from that in Hong Kong, before applying for an ad hoc quota, applicants should, on top of the basic eligibility requirements, consider whether they are equipped with adequate experience, knowledge, ability and confidence in driving in the Mainland, so as to ensure the safety of themselves and the passengers.
Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles
Allow eligible non-commercial private cars with seating capacity of 8 or below (including the driver) to travel between Hong Kong and Guangdong via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) without the need to obtain regular quotas. For details, please visit the theme page.
Online Registration for Ballot and Application for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles
Useful Information and Advice for Driving Across the Boundary
Traffic and Crossing Arrangements at the Shenzhen Bay Port
The ad hoc quota grants the applicant or designated driver to cross the boundary via the Shenzhen Bay Port once. The applicant or designated driver should pay attention to the operating hours and traffic arrangements at the Shenzhen Bay Bridge and Shenzhen Bay Port, in particular the crossing arrangements during full closure of the Bridge.
Traffic and crossing arrangements at the Shenzhen Bay Port
Insurance Coverage
Applicants are advised to check with their insurance providers the details of the coverage of the statutory insurance required by the Governments of Guangdong and the HKSAR, and consider taking out other related insurances, like travel insurance, commercial third party liability insurance and liability insurance for cross-boundary vehicle owners, according to their own situations in order to extend the scope and coverage of insurance.
Currently, the compensation limit varies considerably between the Mainland compulsory traffic accident liability insurance for motor vehicles and the Hong Kong motor vehicle third party risks insurance. The Mainland compulsory traffic accident liability insurance for motor vehicles only covers liability arising from property damage and bodily injury / death of third parties. The compensation limit is a bit more than RMB 100,000. It does not cover any claims lodged by the third parties (victims) in Hong Kong for accidents taking place in the Mainland. On the other hand, the protection provided by Hong Kong motor vehicle third party risks insurance only covers car accidents that occurred in Hong Kong. Therefore, it is important to take out adequate commercial third party liability insurance and liability insurance for cross-boundary vehicle owners.
Assistance in the Mainland
When the owner or designated driver of a cross-boundary private car is travelling in the Mainland, it is important to know what assistance is provided by the Government if they encounter difficulties, and what to do if they are arrested or in case of serious accidents.
Assistance to Hong Kong Residents in the Mainland
The owner or designated driver of a cross-boundary private car can also register their contact details and itinerary so that the Immigration Department can contact and assist them in an emergency outside Hong Kong.
Registration of Outbound Travel Information
The owner or designated driver of a cross-boundary private car may also find the following hotlines useful in case of an emergency or when assistance is needed.
Related Links
Check out the links below for more related information:
Application for Hong Kong Driving Licence
Application for Mainland Driving Licence (pdf file) (Available in Chinese only)
Application for “Home Visit Permit” (Available in Chinese only)