Mainland Driving Plan Open For Application On June 1

Hong Kong motorists can start applying to drive their vehicles to Guangdong province at the start of next month, ahead of the scheme's implementation on July 1.

The "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" scheme, under which approved private cars will be allowed to travel to and from Guangdong via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, was first announced by the State Council last November.

The authorities said on Monday that drivers need to have driving and vehicle licences for both sides of the border, and they only need to have their cars examined locally.

Motorists need to take out designated insurance polices from local firms but don't have to purchase extra packages.

"To ensure that the Scheme is implemented in an orderly manner, the governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong agreed to set a cap on the number of applications to be accepted, which will be allocated through computer balloting, at the initial stage of launching the Scheme," the government said in a statement.

"Upon the application commencement, 200 applications will be accepted per working day in the first week, followed by 300 applications to be accepted per working day from the second week onwards.

"The application situation will be reviewed and the number of applications to be accepted will be increased progressively."

The governments also agreed to set a daily limit for the number of cars allowed to cross the border every day.

The SAR government said from the middle of every month, drivers who subscribed to the scheme can apply for a trip one month in advance, and the Transport Department will announce details about the booking platform on its website later.

Chief Executive John Lee thanked the central and Guangdong governments for pressing ahead with the scheme, calling it another milestone in the economic integration and development of the Greater Bay Area.

He said the scheme enables the people of Hong Kong to drive in Guangdong for business, family and sight-seeing purposes.