Cap. 374E 《道路交通(車輛登記及領牌)規例》Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations

In these regulations— (25 of 2005 s. 4; L.N. 170 of 2025)

A reference in these regulations to the arrangement of the letters and numerals of a registration mark, proposed personalized registration mark or cancelled personalized registration mark shall be construed as—

The Commissioner shall maintain a register of vehicles containing the particulars specified in Schedule 1.

The Commissioner shall, on payment of the fee prescribed in Schedule 2, supply to any person making application for any particulars in the register in respect of a vehicle a certificate stating such particulars.

The Commissioner may waive the fee payable in respect of any application under subregulation (2) where he is satisfied—

Any person who wishes to have registered within any class specified in Schedule 1 to the Ordinance a motor vehicle of which he is the owner, shall deliver to the Commissioner an application for registration in a form specified by the Commissioner together with such documents as may be specified in the application form relating to the owner and the vehicle required for the purposes of regulation 4 and the Motor Vehicles (First Registration Tax) Ordinance (Cap. 330), and shall pay to the Commissioner the registration fee prescribed in Schedule 2.

An application under subregulation (1) must state the name, address, e-contact means and identity document number of the owner of the motor vehicle. (20 of 2021 s. 83)

The Commissioner may refuse to accept an application under subregulation (1) from an owner who is not a body corporate or is a natural person under the age of 18 years, and may, where a motor vehicle is registered other than in the name of a body corporate or a natural person of the age of 18 years or above, require the registration of the vehicle to be in the name of a body corporate or a natural person of the age of 18 years or above.

An application under subregulation (1) shall be signed by the owner of the motor vehicle or by some person duly authorized by him in writing, and where the owner is a body corporate the application shall be signed by a person nominated by the body corporate.

For the purposes of an application under subregulation (1), the Commissioner may permit in writing alterations to a motor vehicle whereby it complies with the requirements relating to a class of motor vehicle other than the one within which it is registered.

On registering a motor vehicle, the Commissioner shall— (L.N. 240 of 1985)

On registering a goods vehicle (other than a trailer) or special purpose vehicle, the Commissioner shall assign to the vehicle a permitted gross vehicle weight which shall be such weight as he shall determine after considering—

The assignment by the Commissioner of a permitted gross vehicle weight to any goods vehicle (other than a trailer) or special purpose vehicle on registration of the vehicle on or after 25 August 1984, and prior to the commencement* of the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1985 , is hereby declared to be valid and shall be deemed to have been validly assigned under subregulation (2). (L.N. 240 of 1985)

The Commissioner shall assign a permitted gross vehicle weight to a goods vehicle (other than a trailer) or special purpose vehicle registered prior to 25 August 1984 on the licensing of such vehicle after the commencement of the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1985 , and such permitted gross vehicle weight shall be a conversion of the maximum laden weight which was assigned to such vehicle on registration under the revoked regulations. (L.N. 240 of 1985)

For the purposes of subregulation (4)—

A registration document shall be in such form as the Commissioner may determine and shall contain the particulars specified in Schedule 3.

A registration document issued to a registered owner under regulation 6 shall remain the property of the Government and the Commissioner may require a registration document to be returned to him at any time.

A registered owner shall produce the registration document issued to him for inspection upon the request of a police officer or the Commissioner within 72 hours of such request and at the place specified at the time of such request.

The registered owner of a motor vehicle shall, in accordance with Schedule 4, display on the vehicle the registration mark assigned to the vehicle. (25 of 2005 s. 6)

A registration mark displayed under this regulation shall comply with the requirements in Schedule 4 as to form of display, colours, construction, fitting and illumination. (25 of 2005 s. 6)

No person shall drive or use or suffer or permit to be driven or used any motor vehicle on which the registration mark assigned to the vehicle— (25 of 2005 s. 6)

No person shall drive, use or keep, or suffer or permit to be driven, used or kept, any motor vehicle on which the registration mark displayed under this regulation is in any way obscured or not easily distinguishable.

For the purposes of this regulation, the registration mark assigned to a motor vehicle shall be, in the case of a personalized registration mark, the personalized registration mark—

in the certificate of allocation. (25 of 2005 s. 6)

Where a personalized registration mark is assigned to a motor vehicle, the personalized registration mark may be displayed, for the purposes of this regulation—

Subject to paragraph 7 of Schedule 10, this regulation shall apply— (25 of 2005 s. 6)

(Repealed 25 of 2005 s. 6)

A special registration mark, which shall— (25 of 2005 s. 7)

shall, before being assigned under regulation 6, be allocated upon sale by auction.

A special registration mark consisting only of the numeral “0” or consisting of a number beginning with the numeral “0” is not to be allocated under subregulation (1). (25 of 2005 s. 7)

A person to whom a special registration mark has been allocated under subregulation (1) shall, within 12 months after the date of its allocation, apply to the Commissioner— (25 of 2005 s. 7)

On receipt of an application under subregulation (2)(b) and the registration fee prescribed in Schedule 2, the Commissioner may cancel the registration of the motor vehicle and register it as if the application had been made under regulation 5 and shall comply with regulation 6.

If, for whatever cause, a special registration mark allocated under subregulation (1) is not assigned to a motor vehicle within 12 months after the date of its allocation, the Commissioner may, without notice to the person to whom it was allocated, cancel the allocation of the special registration mark to that person and reallocate it under subregulation (1).

Sales by auction under regulation 9(1) of a special registration mark shall, subject to subregulation (1A), be conducted under the direction of the Commissioner. (25 of 2005 s. 8)

The Commissioner may engage such persons as he thinks fit for the conduct of any sale by auction under regulation 9(1) of a special registration mark. (25 of 2005 s. 8)

The Commissioner shall pay the proceeds of such sales, after deduction of expenses incurred in the conduct thereof, into the Lotteries Fund as defined in the Government Lotteries Ordinance (Cap. 334).

The following registration marks are reserved for assignment to Government vehicles—

(Repealed 78 of 1999 s. 7)

The following registration marks are reserved for assignment to vehicles owned by The Legislative Council Commission—

The following registration marks are reserved for assignment to vehicles of the Hong Kong Garrison—

In determining whether a registration mark is a registration mark reserved under this regulation, only the sequence of arrangement of the letters and numerals shall be taken into account. (25 of 2005 s. 9)

Subject to subregulation (2), where the ownership in a motor vehicle to which there is assigned a special registration mark is transferred, the Commissioner shall cancel the allocation of the special registration mark and reallocate it under regulation 9(1).

Without prejudice to regulation 16, a special registration mark may be transferred from one motor vehicle to another if, and only if, the vehicles are at the time of the transfer, or were immediately prior to that time, in the same ownership.

The Commissioner may from time to time, by notice published in the Gazette, invite applications for the allocation of personalized registration marks upon sale by auction.

The Commissioner—

If the number of applications received by the Commissioner exceeds the specified number, the Commissioner shall cause the applications to be considered under regulation 12C to be selected by lot.

A notice under subregulation (1) shall state—

The Commissioner shall, in such manner as he thinks fit, give notice of the result of any such selection.

A person who wishes to be allocated a personalized registration mark under regulation 12I may, upon invitation made under regulation 12A(1), apply to the Commissioner to make that registration mark (proposed personalized registration mark) available for allocation upon sale by auction.

An application under subregulation (1) shall be in a form specified by the Commissioner (application form).

The applicant shall—

No person shall, in response to a particular invitation made under regulation 12A(1), make more than one application.

The Commissioner shall not entertain any request to—

made after the application is received by him.

The Commissioner shall consider, in accordance with this regulation, an application for the allocation of a proposed personalized registration mark received or (in the case where a selection by lot under regulation 12A(3) is made) selected by lot for the purpose of deciding whether the application shall be determined under regulation 12F.

If a proposed personalized registration mark—

the application for the allocation of the proposed personalized registration mark shall not be determined under regulation 12F.

Notwithstanding anything contained in these regulations, if more than one application is made by the same person, the Commissioner shall not determine any of those applications under regulation 12F.

Subject to subregulation (5), where the Commissioner receives more than one application for the allocation of the same proposed personalized registration mark (taking into account only the sequence of arrangement of the letters and numerals), only one of those applications, which shall be drawn by lot, shall be, subject to subregulations (2) and (3), determined under regulation 12F.

Where there is a selection by lot under regulation 12A(3), and more than one application for the allocation of the same proposed personalized registration mark (taking into account only the sequence of arrangement of the letters and numerals) is so selected, only the one on which the lot falls first out of those applications shall be, subject to subregulations (2) and (3), determined under regulation 12F.

The Commissioner shall require, by notice in writing, the applicant of each application for the allocation of a proposed personalized registration mark which, after being considered under regulation 12C, shall be determined under regulation 12F to pay to the Commissioner a deposit of $5,000 within the period specified in the notice.

An applicant who fails to pay a deposit required under subregulation (1) shall be deemed to have withdrawn his application.

Subject to subregulations (2) and (3), a personalized registration mark shall consist of—

Each blank space indicated on an application form under regulation 12B(3)(b) shall, for the purpose of counting the number of letters, numerals, or both, under subregulation (1)(a), (b) or (c), be taken as one letter or numeral.

More than one blank space is allowed in a personalized registration mark, but there shall be not more than one blank space between any 2 letters or numerals, or between a letter and a numeral, in the personalized registration mark.

Any blank space in a proposed personalized registration mark shall be disregarded for the purpose of deciding—

On receipt of a deposit under regulation 12D(1), the Commissioner shall, in his discretion, determine whether to accept or refuse the application concerned.

Without prejudice to the generality of the Commissioner’s discretion under subregulation (1), the Commissioner shall refuse an application if, in his opinion, the proposed personalized registration mark—

If the Commissioner determines that an application shall be refused, he shall—

On determining that an application shall be accepted, the Commissioner shall, subject to subregulation (5), notify the applicant in writing that—

Subregulation (4) shall not apply if the proposed personalized registration mark is a cancelled personalized registration mark (taking into account only the sequence of arrangement of the letters and numerals) and that cancelled personalized registration mark has been allocated under regulation 12Q(7), in which case the Commissioner shall—

The Commissioner is not required to notify the applicant concerned under subregulation (5)(a) if he is the person to whom the cancelled personalized registration mark is allocated under regulation 12Q(7).

The Commissioner may, at any time before a proposed personalized registration mark approved as referred to in regulation 12F(4) is sold by auction, review the determination under that regulation if he is satisfied that there is good cause for doing so.

The Commissioner may, on reviewing a determination under subregulation (1), confirm or reverse the determination.

If the Commissioner reverses a determination under subregulation (2), he shall—

The sale by auction under regulation 12I(1) of a proposed personalized registration mark shall, subject to subregulation (2), be conducted under the direction of the Commissioner.

The Commissioner may engage such persons as he thinks fit for the conduct of the sale by auction under regulation 12I(1) of a proposed personalized registration mark.

The sale by auction under regulation 12I(1) of a proposed personalized registration mark shall be subject to a reserve price of $5,000, and the persons attending the sale by auction shall be notified accordingly.

Subject to subregulation (3) and regulation 12Q, a proposed personalized registration mark shall, before being assigned under regulation 6, be offered for sale by auction.

If a proposed personalized registration mark is allocated upon sale by auction to a person other than the applicant who applied to the Commissioner to make it available for allocation, the deposit paid by the applicant under regulation 12D(1) shall be refunded to him.

If a proposed personalized registration mark remains unsold at the auction, it shall be allocated, at a special fee of $5,000, to the applicant.

For the purposes of subregulation (3), the deposit paid by the applicant under regulation 12D(1) shall be taken as payment of the special fee.

Regulation 9(2) and (3) shall apply in respect of personalized registration marks allocated under this regulation (whether allocated upon sale by auction or at the special fee of $5,000) in like manner as it applies in respect of special registration marks allocated under regulation 9(1).

If, for whatever cause, a personalized registration mark allocated under this regulation is not assigned to a motor vehicle within 12 months after the date of its allocation, the Commissioner may, without notice to the personalized registration mark holder, cancel that allocation and reallocate the personalized registration mark.

The Commissioner shall issue a certificate of allocation to the person to whom the personalized registration mark is allocated under regulation 12I.

A certificate of allocation issued under subregulation (1) shall—

The certificate of allocation shall also specify the arrangement of the letters and numerals (together with any blank space) of the personalized registration mark for display in accordance with paragraph 1(a) of Schedule 4—

The Commissioner may, in his discretion, make any registration mark specified in Schedule 5A available for allocation upon sale by auction as a personalized registration mark.

Regulation 12H shall apply in respect of the sale by auction of a personalized registration mark under this regulation in like manner as it applies in respect of the sale by auction of a proposed personalized registration mark under regulation 12I(1).

Regulation 12J shall apply in respect of personalized registration marks allocated under this regulation in like manner as it applies in respect of personalized registration marks allocated under regulation 12I.

Regulation 9(2) and (3) shall apply in respect of personalized registration marks allocated under this regulation in like manner as it applies in respect of special registration marks allocated under regulation 9(1).

If, for whatever cause, a personalized registration mark allocated under this regulation is not assigned to a motor vehicle within 12 months after the date of its allocation, the Commissioner may, without notice to the personalized registration mark holder, cancel that allocation and reallocate the personalized registration mark.

The Commissioner may, in his discretion, cancel the allocation of a personalized registration mark at any time after that allocation if he is satisfied, having regard to such matters as he considers relevant including but not limited to the grounds specified in regulations 12C(2) and 12F(2), that the personalized registration mark is not or is no longer appropriate for allocation.

Before cancelling the allocation of a personalized registration mark under subregulation (1), the Commissioner shall send a notice to the personalized registration mark holder—

A notice of cancellation shall be sent to the personalized registration mark holder by ordinary post at the address last known to the Commissioner or, where the personalized registration mark has been assigned to a motor vehicle, his address appearing on the register.

On the expiry of the 15 days referred to in subregulation (2)(a), the Commissioner shall cancel the allocation of the personalized registration mark and, accordingly—

shall cease to be valid.

In the event of a cancellation under subregulation (4) of the allocation of a personalized registration mark which has been assigned to a motor vehicle, a new registration mark shall be assigned to the vehicle.

The personalized registration mark holder must, within 15 days after the date of the notice of cancellation sent to the holder, return to the Commissioner— (L.N. 140 of 2024)

When the certificate of allocation and (where applicable) vehicle licence, registration document and other relevant documents are returned under subregulation (1), the Commissioner must refund an amount equal to the auction price or the special fee at which the personalized registration mark was sold under regulation 12I to the personalized registration mark holder.

If the personalized registration mark has been assigned to a motor vehicle, the Commissioner must— (L.N. 140 of 2024)

Regulation 24(1) applies in respect of the refund of the portion of the licence fee under subregulation (3)(b)(ii) as if the reference to the surrender of a valid vehicle licence under that regulation were a reference to the cancellation of a vehicle licence under that subregulation.

For the purpose of calculating the amount to be refunded, the number of days in the unexpired period, as referred to in Schedule 6, of a vehicle licence cancelled under subregulation (3)(b)(ii) is to be counted from the day immediately following the expiry of the 15 days referred to in regulation 12L(2)(a).

Subregulations (2), (3) and (4) shall apply where a notice of cancellation is sent under regulation 12L(2).

The personalized registered mark concerned, if it has not yet been assigned to a motor vehicle, shall not be assigned to any motor vehicle.

The Commissioner shall, before the return of the certificate of allocation and (where applicable) vehicle licence, registration document and other relevant documents as required by regulation 12M(1) or the expiry of the 15 days referred to in regulation 12L(2)(a), whichever is the earlier—

The Commissioner shall also refuse to issue a duplicate certificate of allocation under regulation 59.

The Commissioner shall, on receipt of an application in writing, provide information to the person making the application as to whether any notice of cancellation has been sent.

A person aggrieved by the decision of the Commissioner to cancel the allocation of a personalized registration mark under regulation 12L may appeal to the Administrative Appeals Board against such decision.

Where the Administrative Appeals Board, in the exercise of its powers under section 21(1)(j) of the Administrative Appeals Board Ordinance (Cap. 442), reverses a decision of the Commissioner on an appeal, the Commissioner shall take such action as is necessary (including, in particular, the allocation of the personalized registration mark) to give effect to the reversal by the Administrative Appeals Board of that decision.

Without prejudice to the generality of subregulation (2), the Commissioner shall, upon receiving from the person to whom a refund was made under regulation 12M(2) the amount so refunded (if any), issue a new certificate of allocation to that person.

A certificate of allocation issued under subregulation (3) shall—

Regulation 9(2) and (3) shall apply in respect of personalized registration marks allocated under subregulation (2) to give effect to the reversal by the Administrative Appeals Board of decisions of the Commissioner in like manner as it applies in respect of special registration marks allocated under regulation 9(1).

If, for whatever cause, a personalized registration mark allocated under subregulation (2) to give effect to a reversal by the Administrative Appeals Board of a decision of the Commissioner is not assigned to a motor vehicle within 12 months after the date of its allocation, the Commissioner may, without notice to the personalized registration mark holder, cancel that allocation and reallocate the personalized registration mark.

The Commissioner may waive the payment of the registration fee prescribed in Schedule 2 where a personalized registration mark allocated under subregulation (2) to give effect to a reversal by the Administrative Appeals Board of a decision of the Commissioner is assigned to a motor vehicle.

A cancelled personalized registration mark may, subject to subregulation (2), be offered for sale by auction under regulation 12I again if the Commissioner determines under regulation 12F that an application for the allocation of a proposed personalized registration mark, being the cancelled personalized registration mark (taking into account only the sequence of arrangement of the letters and numerals), shall be accepted having regard to the matters referred to in regulation 12L(1) and any change of circumstances since the cancellation.

Before a cancelled personalized registration mark is offered for sale by auction, the Commissioner shall send a notice of offer to the person to whom a refund was made under regulation 12M(2) in respect of the cancelled personalized registration mark (the previous holder)—

A notice of offer shall be sent to the previous holder by registered post—

If the address of the previous holder cannot be found in the register or the record so maintained by the Commissioner, the Commissioner shall publish the notice of offer, containing the same information as required under subregulation (2), once in at least 2 Chinese language daily newspapers and one English language daily newspaper in circulation in Hong Kong.

For the purposes of subregulation (4), the date of the notice of offer referred to in subregulation (2)(c) shall be construed as the date of publication of the notice of offer in the newspapers, and the reference in subregulation (7) to the period specified under subregulation (2)(c) shall be construed accordingly.

If the previous holder is the person who makes the application referred to in subregulation (1), the deposit paid by him under regulation 12D(1) shall, if he accepts the offer, be taken as payment of the special fee referred to in subregulation (2)(b) or part of that special fee, as the case may be.

The Commissioner shall, upon receiving the notice of acceptance and full payment of the special fee within the period specified under subregulation (2)(c), allocate the cancelled personalized registration mark to the previous holder and issue a certificate of allocation to him.

A certificate of allocation issued under subregulation (7) shall—

Regulation 9(2) and (3) shall apply in respect of personalized registration marks allocated under subregulation (7) in like manner as it applies in respect of special registration marks allocated under regulation 9(1).

If, for whatever cause, a personalized registration mark allocated under subregulation (7) is not assigned to a motor vehicle within 12 months after the date of its allocation, the Commissioner may, without notice to the personalized registration mark holder, cancel that allocation and reallocate the personalized registration mark.

A personalized registration mark holder may, at any time by giving notice in writing, surrender the personalized registration mark to the Commissioner who may reallocate it upon sale by auction.

When the personalized registration mark holder gives notice under subregulation (1), he shall at the same time return to the Commissioner—

The personalized registration mark surrendered under subregulation (1) shall cease to be valid upon receipt by the Commissioner of the certificate of allocation.

If the personalized registration mark has been assigned to a motor vehicle, the Commissioner may, when the personalized registration mark ceases to be valid under subregulation (3), assign a new registration mark to the vehicle.

Where a vehicle licence, registration document and other relevant documents are returned to the Commissioner under subregulation (2)(b) and (c), the Commissioner shall—

Any person who wishes to be allocated a registration mark consisting of one or 2 letters chosen by the Commissioner, subject to regulation 11, as its prefix, followed by a particular number of not more than 4 digits (not being a number listed in Schedule 5, or the number consisting only of the numeral “0”, or a number beginning with the numeral “0”) chosen by the person, may apply to the Commissioner to make such a registration mark, if unassigned, available for allocation upon sale by auction.

On receipt of an application under subregulation (1) and on payment to the Commissioner by the applicant of a deposit of $1,000 (to be held by the Commissioner and in due course disposed of in accordance with subregulation (4) or (5), as the case may be), the Commissioner shall offer the requested registration mark for sale by auction; and regulation 10 shall apply to sales by auction of such registration marks and to the proceeds of such sales.

The sale by auction under this regulation of a registration mark shall be subject to a reserve price of $1,000, and the persons attending the sale by auction shall be notified accordingly.

If a registration mark is allocated upon sale by auction under this regulation to a person other than the applicant who applied to the Commissioner to make such registration mark available for allocation, the deposit paid under subregulation (2) by the applicant shall be refunded to him.

If a registration mark to which this regulation applies remains unsold at the auction, it shall be allocated, at a special fee of $1,000, to the applicant who applied to the Commissioner to make it available for allocation, and the deposit paid by the applicant under subregulation (2) shall be taken as payment of the special fee, and shall be paid by the Commissioner into the Lotteries Fund as defined in the Government Lotteries Ordinance (Cap. 334).

Regulation 9(2) and (3) shall apply in respect of registration marks allocated under this regulation (whether allocated upon sale by auction or at the special fee of $1,000) in like manner as it applies in respect of special registration marks allocated under regulation 9(1).

If, for whatever cause, a registration mark allocated under this regulation is not assigned to a motor vehicle within 12 months after the date of its allocation, the Commissioner may, without notice to the person to whom it was allocated, cancel the allocation of the registration mark to that person and reallocate it.

The Commissioner may, in his discretion, offer for sale by auction any registration mark chosen by him, subject to regulation 11, consisting of one or 2 letters as its prefix, followed by a number of not more than 4 digits (not being a number listed in Schedule 5), which he considers suitable for sale by auction; and regulation 10 shall apply to sales by auction of such registration marks and to the proceeds of such sales.

Regulation 9(2) and (3) shall apply in respect of registration marks allocated under this regulation in like manner as it applies in respect of special registration marks allocated under regulation 9(1).

If, for whatever cause, a registration mark allocated under this regulation is not assigned to a motor vehicle within 12 months after the date of its allocation, the Commissioner may, without notice to the person to whom it was allocated, cancel the allocation of the registration mark to that person and reallocate it.

This regulation applies to a motor vehicle in respect of which—

The Commissioner may—

If the registered owner of a motor vehicle wishes to have the registration mark thereof transferred to any other motor vehicle or held in abeyance for a period, not exceeding 12 months, until such time as he has acquired such other vehicle, he shall deliver to the Commissioner the registration document relating to that vehicle together with an application for transfer of the registration mark in a form specified by the Commissioner and shall pay to the Commissioner the transfer of registration mark fee prescribed in Schedule 2.

The registration mark of a motor vehicle may be transferred only to a motor vehicle owned by the person who owns or previously owned the vehicle from which the registration mark is to be transferred.

An application under subregulation (1) shall be signed by the registered owner or by some person duly authorized by him in writing, and where the registered owner is a body corporate the application shall be signed by a person nominated by the body corporate.

On receipt of an application under subregulation (1), the Commissioner, if he is satisfied with the particulars contained in the application, shall—

If a registration mark is held in abeyance for a period of 12 months and no application is made to the Commissioner to have the registration mark assigned to a motor vehicle, the Commissioner may, without notice to the person for whom the registration mark is held, cancel the allocation of the registration mark and, subject to regulations 9, 12A to 12K, 13 and 14, reallocate it to any other motor vehicle. (25 of 2005 s. 14)

The Financial Secretary may waive the payment of the transfer of registration mark fee payable under this regulation or any part thereof.

On a transfer of ownership of a registered motor vehicle the registered owner must forthwith deliver to the new owner of the vehicle— (L.N. 140 of 2024)

and the new owner must sign the notice of transfer, in the presence of any such public officer if the vehicle is registered as a taxi, verifying the accuracy of the information and particulars contained in the notice. (L.N. 322 of 1994)

The Commissioner may waive the requirement to sign the notice of transfer in the presence of a designated public officer in subregulation (1) in respect of any person if the Commissioner is satisfied that it is not reasonably practicable for the person to comply with the requirement. (L.N. 322 of 1994)

Within 72 hours after the transfer of the ownership of a registered motor vehicle—

Subject to regulations 9, 12 and 12N, where the new owner of a motor vehicle complies with subregulation (2)(b) the Commissioner must— (25 of 2005 s. 15; L.N. 140 of 2024)

and in either case must issue a new registration document in respect of the vehicle to the new registered owner or the new registered owner’s authorized agent.

In the case referred to in subregulation (3)(a), where a certificate of allocation has been delivered to the Commissioner in accordance with subregulation (2)(b)(ia), the Commissioner must issue a new certificate of allocation to the new registered owner of the motor vehicle to which the personalized registration mark is assigned. (25 of 2005 s. 15)

A certificate of allocation issued under subregulation (3A) must— (L.N. 140 of 2024)

If the registered owner of a motor vehicle registered other than as a taxi fails to comply with subregulation (1) and the Commissioner is satisfied that the ownership of the motor vehicle has been transferred to the new owner, the Commissioner may on receiving payment of the transfer of ownership fee prescribed in Schedule 2 cause the new owner to be registered as the owner of the vehicle. (L.N. 322 of 1994)

Where the motor vehicle transferred is a private car, motor cycle or motor tricycle and the new owner of the private car, motor cycle or motor tricycle—

the Commissioner may waive the transfer of ownership fee prescribed in Schedule 2. (L.N. 88 of 1992; 34 of 1993 s. 13)

If in any case the new owner of a motor vehicle fails to comply with subregulation (2)(b) and if—

the Commissioner may cause the new owner to be registered as the owner of the vehicle.

Notwithstanding anything contained in subregulation (4) or (5), where a motor vehicle is a vehicle to which there is assigned a personalized registration mark, the Commissioner must not cause the new owner of the vehicle to be registered as the owner of the vehicle under subregulation (4) or (5) unless the certificate of allocation has been delivered to the Commissioner in accordance with subregulation (2)(b)(ia). (25 of 2005 s. 15)

A person must not drive or use or suffer or permit to be driven or used any registered motor vehicle the ownership of which has been transferred, after the expiration of 72 hours from such transfer, unless— (L.N. 140 of 2024)

Without prejudice to regulation 19, the registered owner of a motor vehicle shall forthwith notify the Commissioner in a form specified by the Commissioner of any circumstance or event which affects the accuracy of any entry in the registration document and vehicle licence relating to the vehicle.

The registered owner of a motor vehicle shall whenever required by the Commissioner so to do—

Within 72 hours after any change of name, address, e-contact means or identity document of a registered owner previously provided by the registered owner to the Commissioner, the registered owner shall— (20 of 2021 s. 85)

On receipt of a notification under subregulation (1), the Commissioner shall, if satisfied that the change specified in the notification has occurred, enter such change in the register. (L.N. 52 of 2007)

On receipt of a notification of change of name or identity document under subregulation (1) and the registration document, the Commissioner shall, if satisfied that the change specified in the notification has occurred and that an amendment to the particulars in the registration document is required, issue a new registration document to the registered owner. (L.N. 52 of 2007)

A person to whom a personalized registration mark is allocated shall, as soon as practicable after the allocation, notify the Commissioner in writing of his name and address and the particulars of his identity document. (25 of 2005 s. 16)

Without prejudice to subregulation (1), within 72 hours after any change of name, address or identity document of a personalized registration mark holder, the personalized registration mark holder shall forward to the Commissioner a notice of such change in a form specified by the Commissioner together with, in the case of change of name or identity document, the certificate of allocation. (25 of 2005 s. 16)

On receipt of such notice of change of name or identity document and the certificate of allocation, the Commissioner shall, if satisfied that the change specified in the notice has occurred and that an amendment to the particulars in the certificate of allocation is required, issue to the personalized registration mark holder a new certificate of allocation. (25 of 2005 s. 16; L.N. 52 of 2007)

The Commissioner may require a person who has given a notification under subregulation (1) or forwarded a notice under subregulation (4) to provide such information or to produce such document as the Commissioner may reasonably require as proof of the change within 14 days from the day on which the requirement is made, and the person shall comply with such requirement. (L.N. 52 of 2007)

When a motor vehicle is broken up, destroyed, or despatched permanently out of Hong Kong, the registered owner of the vehicle shall, within 15 days after the vehicle is broken up, destroyed or despatched, notify the Commissioner in writing of the breaking up, destruction or despatch and shall at the same time— (25 of 2005 s. 17)

On receipt of a notification under subregulation (1), the Commissioner shall, subject to subregulation (3A), cancel the registration of the motor vehicle and at any time thereafter, may, subject to regulations 9, 12A to 12K, 13 and 14, assign to any other motor vehicle the registration mark that was assigned to such vehicle.

On receipt of a notification under subregulation (1), the Commissioner may require the registered owner to produce—

If the registered owner wishes to have the registration mark that is assigned to such vehicle transferred or held in abeyance under regulation 16, he shall make an application to the Commissioner under regulation 16(1) before the Commissioner cancel the registration of the vehicle under this regulation. (25 of 2005 s. 17)

Notwithstanding that he may not have received a notification under subregulation (1), where the Commissioner is satisfied that a motor vehicle has been broken up, destroyed or despatched permanently out of Hong Kong, he shall, unless an application referred to in subregulation (3A) is received, cancel the registration of the vehicle and at any time thereafter, may, subject to regulations 9, 12A to 12K, 13 and 14, assign to any other motor vehicle the registration mark that was assigned to such vehicle.

If the registered owner of a motor vehicle wishes to have the vehicle licensed, the owner must— (L.N. 140 of 2024)

An application under subregulation (1) must—

If the Commissioner is not satisfied with the copy of any document mentioned in subregulation (1A)(b) or (c), the Commissioner may require the registered owner to produce the original of the document. (L.N. 140 of 2024)

An application under subregulation (1) must be signed by the registered owner of the motor vehicle or by some person duly authorized by the registered owner in writing, and where the registered owner is a body corporate the application must be signed by a person nominated by the body corporate. (L.N. 140 of 2024)

Notwithstanding anything contained in subregulation (1), if a valid vehicle licence issued in respect of a motor vehicle in any particular class is surrendered to the Commissioner and at the same time an application under subregulation (1)(a) is made for the licensing of that vehicle in a different class, the Commissioner may license the vehicle as stated in the application for a period not exceeding the unexpired period of the surrendered vehicle licence, upon payment of a licence fee calculated by the Commissioner by multiplying 1/365 of the appropriate licence fee prescribed in Schedule 2 by the number of days in the unexpired period of the surrendered vehicle licence. (L.N. 172 of 1989)

Subject to subregulations (3), (5) and (6), the Commissioner may license a motor vehicle for the period stated in an application under subregulation (1) in respect of the vehicle, and the licence takes effect from the date of issue of the relevant licensing notice. (L.N. 140 of 2024)

On receipt of an application under subregulation (1)(a) in respect of a motor vehicle which is licensed and the licence fee under subregulation (1)(b), the Commissioner may, within the 4 months immediately before the expiry of the vehicle licence (existing vehicle licence), license the vehicle for the further period stated in the application, and the licence takes effect immediately after the expiry of the existing vehicle licence. (L.N. 140 of 2024)

If, after the expiry of a vehicle licence of a motor vehicle, the Commissioner receives an application under subregulation (1), the Commissioner may license the vehicle for the further period stated in the application, and the licence takes effect from the date specified in the relevant licensing notice, which date must not be earlier than the following date—

Where the Commissioner licenses a motor vehicle pursuant to subregulation (6), the licence fee payable to the Commissioner for the licence shall be the licence fee under subregulation (1)(b) and an additional fee of 0.33% of the appropriate annual licence fee for each day of the unlicensed period since the previous licence expired: Provided that the additional fee shall not be payable if the Commissioner is satisfied that the motor vehicle has not been used on a road during the period when it was not licensed. (L.N. 172 of 1989; L.N. 140 of 2024)

On licensing a motor vehicle under these regulations, the Commissioner must issue to the registered owner—

If the latest displayable vehicle licence of a motor vehicle is issued on or after 30 December 2024, on licensing the vehicle under subregulation (5) or (6) and issuing a licensing notice for the licensing—

To avoid doubt, a displayable vehicle licence may be deemed one or more times under subregulation (8A)(b) to be a renewed vehicle licence of the relevant motor vehicle, and each of such deeming does not affect the date of issue and effect of the displayable vehicle licence and each previous deemed renewed vehicle licence. (L.N. 140 of 2024)

In the case of a disabled person who wishes to have licensed a private car of which he is the registered owner and in respect of which, under regulation 9 of the Road Traffic (Driving Licences) Regulations (Cap. 374 sub. leg. B), he has proved his fitness to drive—

In the case of a disabled person who wishes to have licensed a motor cycle or a motor tricycle of which he is the registered owner and in respect of which, under regulation 9 of the Road Traffic (Driving Licences) Regulations (Cap. 374 sub. leg. B), he has proved his fitness to drive, no licence fee shall be payable. (34 of 1993 s. 14)

The Commissioner may license a motor vehicle subject to such conditions as the Commissioner thinks fit. (L.N. 140 of 2024)

If, because of circumstances beyond the Commissioner’s control, the Commissioner is unable for the time being to issue a licensing notice or vehicle licence, the receipt issued by the Commissioner for the payment of the appropriate licence fee is deemed to be a valid vehicle licence in place of the vehicle licence to be issued—

(Repealed L.N. 88 of 1992)

Despite the amendments of these regulations by the 2024 Amendment Regulation—

Where the vehicle licence of a motor vehicle (original vehicle licence) is not in the current specified form, if the Commissioner decides to—

the Commissioner may issue the duplicate vehicle licence or updated vehicle licence in the current specified form. (L.N. 140 of 2024)

For the purposes of subregulation (14), a vehicle licence is issued in the current specified form if the vehicle licence is issued in the form currently specified under subregulation (8)(b) and contains the particulars currently specified under subregulation (8)(b). (L.N. 140 of 2024)

In this regulation—

A vehicle licence issued to a registered owner shall remain the property of the Government and the Commissioner may require a vehicle licence to be returned to him at any time.

A certificate of allocation shall remain the property of the Government and the Commissioner may require a certificate of allocation to be returned to him at any time. (25 of 2005 s. 18)

Any police officer or other officer authorized by the Commissioner shall have power to seize a vehicle licence that is cancelled, and for that purpose to detach it from a motor vehicle, and to seize a certificate of allocation that is cancelled. (25 of 2005 s. 18)

Subject to subregulation (1A), a motor vehicle may be used on a road in Lantau only, if the vehicle is licensed under this regulation. (L.N. 172 of 1997)

Where a motor vehicle is licensed under this regulation and regulation 26, subregulation (1) shall be construed as permitting the motor vehicle to be used on a road in Lantau or Chek Lap Kok. (L.N. 172 of 1997)

Any person who wishes to have licensed for use only in Lantau a motor vehicle of which he is the registered owner may deliver to the Commissioner an application for such licence in a form specified by the Commissioner and shall pay to the Commissioner one quarter of the appropriate licence fee prescribed in Schedule 2:

Provided that regulation 21(9) shall apply to an applicant who is a disabled person for the purposes of that regulation and the licence fee payable under this subregulation shall be— (E.R. 3 of 2022) (a)for a licence for 12 months, one quarter of the licence fee payable under regulation 21(9)(a)(ii)(A) or (b)(ii)(A) (as the case requires); and (L.N. 169 of 2025) (b)for a licence for 4 months, 35% of the licence fee payable under paragraph (a) plus an additional fee of $15.

The Commissioner may license a motor vehicle for use in Lantau only, and where he does so, he shall cause the vehicle licence to be endorsed with the words “PERMITTED TO BE USED ONLY ON LANTAU” and the characters “祇准在大嶼山使用” in such manner as he shall think fit and shall cause such endorsement to be made on the registration document relating to the vehicle if he thinks fit.

Subject to this regulation, regulation 21 shall apply in respect of the documents which are required to be submitted with an application for a licence and the licensing of motor vehicles for use in Lantau.

A licence issued under this regulation and having effect immediately before the commencement* of the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulation 1997 (the Amendment Regulation) shall be taken as a licence issued in accordance with the Regulation as amended by the Amendment Regulation. (L.N. 172 of 1997)

A motor vehicle may be used on a private road in Lantau only, if the vehicle is licensed under regulation 23 or this regulation.

Any person who wishes to have licensed for use only on private roads in Lantau a motor vehicle of which he is the registered owner may deliver to the Commissioner an application for such licence in a form specified by the Commissioner and shall pay to the Commissioner one-tenth of the appropriate licence fee prescribed in Schedule 2:

Provided that regulation 21(9) shall apply to an applicant who is a disabled person for the purpose of that regulation and the licence fee payable under this subregulation shall be— (a)for a licence for 12 months, one-tenth of the licence fee payable under regulation 21(9)(a)(ii)(A) or (b)(ii)(A) (as the case requires); and (L.N. 169 of 2025) (b)for a licence for 4 months, 35% of the licence fee payable under paragraph (a) plus an additional fee of $15.

The Commissioner may license a motor vehicle for use on private roads in Lantau only, and where he does so, he shall cause the vehicle licence to be endorsed with the words “PERMITTED TO BE USED ONLY ON PRIVATE ROADS ON LANTAU” and the characters “只准在大嶼山的私家路上行駛” in such manner as he shall think fit and shall cause such endorsement to be made on the registration document relating to the vehicle if he thinks fit.

Subject to this regulation, regulation 21 shall apply in respect of the documents which are required to be submitted with an application for a licence and the licensing of motor vehicles for use on private roads in Lantau.

The Commissioner, on the surrender to him of a valid vehicle licence, may make a refund of a portion of the licence fee paid for the licensing of the motor vehicle relating to the unexpired period of the surrendered vehicle licence in accordance with the table in Schedule 6.

Where—

the Commissioner may make a refund of a portion of the licence fee paid for the licensing of the vehicle relating to the unexpired period of the vehicle licence in accordance with the table in Schedule 6.

(Repealed L.N. 172 of 1989)

Except as otherwise provided by the Ordinance, a motor vehicle must not be on or be used on any road unless a valid vehicle licence in respect of the vehicle is displayed— (L.N. 219 of 1987; L.N. 140 of 2024)

For the purposes of subregulation (1), if a receipt is deemed to be a valid vehicle licence pursuant to regulation 21(11) or 59(6), the receipt, or (for a receipt in the form of an electronic record) a clearly legible printout of the receipt that conforms to the specifications specified by the Commissioner in the receipt, must be displayed— (L.N. 140 of 2024)

If, in respect of a motor vehicle, no vehicle licence has been in force for 2 years or more, the Commissioner may send a notice to its registered owner requiring the owner to have the vehicle licensed.

A notice under subregulation (1) is to be sent by ordinary post addressed to the registered owner at the owner’s address appearing on the register.

The registered owner must comply with the notice to have the vehicle licensed not later than 3 months beginning on the date of the notice.

However, subregulation (3) does not apply if—

The registered owner of a motor vehicle may apply to the Commissioner for an exemption from the requirement under regulation 25A(3) in respect of the vehicle in a manner specified by the Commissioner.

The Commissioner may, on an application under subregulation (1), grant an exemption from the requirement in respect of the vehicle if the Commissioner is satisfied that it is not reasonably practicable for the registered owner to comply with the requirement.

However, no exemption may be granted under subregulation (2) if proceedings for an offence under regulation 60(2A) in respect of the vehicle have been instituted.

An exemption granted under subregulation (2)—

The Commissioner may, by giving reasonable notice to the registered owner, alter or cancel an exemption granted under subregulation (2).

The Commissioner may license taxis—

On the licensing of a motor vehicle as a taxi the Commissioner shall specify on the vehicle licence issued to registered owner under regulation 21(8), in English and in Chinese characters, the area within which the taxi is licensed to be available for hire or to carry passengers.

Subject to subregulation (2), where the Commissioner calls for tenders under regulation 26(1)(b), the Commissioner may license the number of taxis allocated pursuant to such tender only to a person whose tender the Commissioner has accepted.

Any person who fails to license the number of taxis allocated to him within the time specified in the notification of the allocation to him of the taxis following a determination by lot pursuant to section 23(5) of the Ordinance shall forfeit the right to license the number of taxis not then licensed.

Any person who transfers or purports to transfer his right to license any number of taxis allocated to him shall forfeit the right to license the number of taxis so allocated.

No person as registered owner or as driver shall cause or permit a taxi that is licensed to be available for hire or to carry passengers within the New Territories or Lantau to stand or to ply for hire or to be available for hire or to carry passengers in any area or place other than the permitted area.

No person as registered owner or as driver shall use or cause or permit to be used a taxi that is licensed to be available for hire or to carry passengers within the New Territories or Lantau for the carriage of any passenger from any place outside the permitted area to any other place whether in that area or in another area.

Nothing in this regulation shall prevent a taxi that is licensed to be available for hire or to carry passengers within the New Territories or Lantau from travelling to or from any place outside the permitted area if it is for the sole purpose of attending a vehicle examination centre for an examination arranged by prior appointment.

Where a taxi that is licensed to be available for hire or to carry passengers within the New Territories or Lantau is travelling to or from a vehicle examination centre pursuant to subregulation (3), no passengers may be carried for hire or reward.

The Commissioner may cause or, by permit in writing, permit to be erected or placed on or near any road leading from inside the permitted area for New Territories taxis to any place outside that permitted area a traffic sign of the type shown in Figure No. 1 in Schedule 11 and the meaning of that sign shall be in accordance with its content and the note relating to the Figure of that sign in the Schedule. (L.N. 262 of 1984)

The Commissioner may cause or, by permit in writing, permit to be erected or placed on or near any road leading from inside the permitted area for Lantau taxis to any place outside that permitted area a traffic sign of the type shown in Figure No. 2 in Schedule 11 and the meaning of that sign shall be in accordance with its content and the note relating to the Figure of that sign in the Schedule. (L.N. 172 of 1997)

The Commissioner may by notice in the Gazette amend the names of the roads specified in Schedule 7 upon the names of the roads having been changed. (L.N. 101 of 1992)

Any visitor who brings a motor vehicle into Hong Kong from a place outside Hong Kong and who desires to obtain an international circulation permit in respect of the vehicle, may deliver to the Commissioner an application, in a form specified by the Commissioner, for the permit. (L.N. 170 of 2025)

If an applicant for an international circulation permit—

the Commissioner may issue to the applicant free of charge an international circulation permit in respect of the vehicle in Form 4 of Schedule 8. (L.N. 170 of 2025)

If the Commissioner is not satisfied with the copy of any document produced under subregulation (2)(b), the Commissioner may require the applicant to produce the original of the document. (L.N. 170 of 2025)

An international circulation permit may be issued either in paper form or in the form of an electronic record. (L.N. 170 of 2025)

The Commissioner—

Section 52(1) of the Ordinance shall not apply to a vehicle in respect of which an international circulation permit is in force.

The following particulars shall be supplied in an application under subregulation (1)—

An international circulation permit shall not be granted for any period exceeding 12 months from the date on which the motor vehicle was last brought into Hong Kong.

Within 72 hours after any change of name, address, e-contact means or identity document of a holder of an international circulation permit previously provided by the holder to the Commissioner, the holder shall notify the Commissioner in writing of such change. (20 of 2021 s. 88)

The Commissioner may require a person who has given a notification under subregulation (1) to provide such information or to produce such document as the Commissioner may reasonably require as proof of the change within 14 days from the day on which the requirement is made, and the person shall comply with such requirement.

The Commissioner must assign to a motor vehicle in respect of which the Commissioner has issued an international circulation permit— (L.N. 170 of 2025)

During the currency of an international circulation permit, regulation 8 shall apply to the motor vehicle to which the permit relates as if the reference therein to the registered owner was a reference to the holder of an international circulation permit and references to the registration mark were references to the registration mark assigned to the motor vehicle under subregulation (1):Provided that—(a)regulation 8 shall not apply to a registration mark assigned under subregulation (1)(a)(i) if the corresponding requirements of the law under which, or authority by whom, the registration mark is issued are complied with, and if any letters in the registration mark are in Roman characters and any numbers therein are in ordinary European numerals; and(b)a registration mark assigned under subregulation (1)(a)(i) need not be displayed on the front of the vehicle if that is not required by the law under which or the authority by whom the registration mark is issued.

The holder of an international circulation permit shall, during the currency of the permit issued in respect of a motor vehicle to which a registration mark is assigned under subregulation (1)(a)(i), display at the back of the vehicle so as to be clearly distinguishable a nationality sign indicating the country or place in which the vehicle is registered. (3 of 2002 s. 15)

During the currency of an international circulation permit issued in respect of a motor vehicle in respect of which a visitor’s registration document was produced and to which a registration mark is assigned under subregulation (1)(a)(i), regulation 7(3) shall apply in respect of a visitor’s registration document as it applies to a registration document.

This regulation shall apply to a trailer drawn by a motor vehicle to which an international circulation permit relates, during the currency of the permit, as if references to the registration mark were references to the registration mark assigned to the motor vehicle under this regulation.

Where the Commissioner assigns a registration mark to a motor vehicle under regulation 34(1)(a)(ii) or (b), the Commissioner shall issue with the international circulation permit a registration card free of charge in such form and containing such particulars as the Commissioner thinks fit. (25 of 2005 s. 20)

A registration card may be issued either in paper form or in the form of an electronic record. (L.N. 170 of 2025)

A police officer or the Commissioner may request the holder of a registration card to produce the card for inspection. (L.N. 170 of 2025)

A person to whom a request is made under subregulation (3) must, within 72 hours after the request and at the place specified by the police officer or the Commissioner at the time of the request, produce for inspection—

A motor vehicle in respect of which an international circulation permit is in force must not be on or be used on any road unless the document mentioned in subregulation (2) is displayed—

The document is—

This section applies if any of the following events occurs—

On the occurrence of the event, the international circulation permit ceases to be valid.

The holder of the international circulation permit must—

If the event is one mentioned in subregulation (1)(a), the holder of the international circulation permit must also, within 72 hours after the event occurs, notify the Commissioner in writing of—

If a condition of an international circulation permit is contravened, the Commissioner may, by written notice to the holder of the permit, cancel the permit.

If an international circulation permit issued in respect of a motor vehicle is cancelled under subregulation (1), the holder of the permit must—

Where any vehicle in respect of which an international circulation permit is issued—

the vehicle shall be registered and licensed under these regulations with effect from the date the vehicle was first brought into Hong Kong.

No person shall drive or use or suffer or permit to be driven or used any vehicle to which subregulation (1) applies unless the vehicle is registered and licensed in accordance with that subregulation.

Subject to subregulations (2), (2A), (2B) and (3), the provisions of Part II shall apply to a trailer as if references therein to a motor vehicle and registered owner were references to a trailer and registered owner of a trailer respectively and references therein to a registration mark were references to the registration mark assigned to the trailer as referred to in subregulation (2). (L.N. 262 of 1984; L.N. 240 of 1985; 25 of 2005 s. 21)

The registration mark assigned to a trailer pursuant to regulation 6(1)(a) shall consist of the letter “T”, as the suffix, preceded by a number. (25 of 2005 s. 21)

On registering a trailer, the Commissioner shall assign to the trailer a permitted gross vehicle weight which shall be such weight as he shall determine after considering—

The assignment by the Commissioner of a permitted gross vehicle weight to any trailer on registration of the trailer on or after 25 August 1984, and prior to the commencement* of the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1985 (L.N. 240 of 1985), is hereby declared to be valid and shall be deemed to have been validly assigned under subregulation (2A). (L.N. 240 of 1985)

Regulation 17(2)(b)(ii) shall not apply in the case of the transfer of ownership of a trailer. (L.N. 262 of 1984)

Any person who wishes to have licensed a trailer of which he is the registered owner shall deliver to the Commissioner an application therefor in a form specified by the Commissioner and shall, subject to subregulation (2), pay to the Commissioner the following licence fee—

Where a trailer is to be licensed for use only in Lantau, the applicant shall pay one quarter of the appropriate licence fee prescribed in Schedule 2.

On receipt of an application and the licence fee under regulation 38 in respect of a trailer, the Commissioner may license the trailer for the period stated in the application, and the licence takes effect from the date of issue of the relevant licensing notice. (L.N. 172 of 1989; L.N. 140 of 2024)

Subject to subregulation (1) and regulation 38, Part III (except regulation 21(1A)(c), (3), (9) and (9A)) applies to the licensing of a trailer as if the trailer were a motor vehicle. (L.N. 140 of 2024)

(Repealed L.N. 140 of 2024)

Any owner of a rickshaw who wishes to have the rickshaw licensed shall—

An application under subregulation (1) shall be signed by the owner of the rickshaw or by some person duly authorized by him in writing.

Before a rickshaw is licensed, the Commissioner may require the owner thereof to produce the rickshaw for examination at any place specified in such requirement.

On receipt of an application and the licence fee under subregulation (1) at any time during the period of 4 months immediately preceding the date of expiry of the vehicle licence, the Commissioner may license the rickshaw for such period, not exceeding 12 months, as is stated in the application and such licence shall take effect from the date of expiry of the existing vehicle licence. (L.N. 172 of 1989)

On the licensing of a rickshaw the Commissioner shall issue to the owner of the rickshaw, for display on the rickshaw in accordance with regulation 41(1), a vehicle licence in a form and containing such particulars specified by the Commissioner and a number consisting of not more than 3 digits.

The owner of a licensed rickshaw to whom a vehicle licence is issued under regulation 40(5) shall display—

No person shall drive or use or suffer or permit to be driven or used any rickshaw on which a vehicle licence and vehicle licence number is not displayed in accordance with subregulation (1).

If any person being a manufacturer or repairer of or dealer in vehicles wishes to obtain a trade licence in respect of any vehicle used by him he shall deliver to the Commissioner an application for a trade licence in a form specified by the Commissioner and shall deposit with the Commissioner the sum of $1,000 and, if the trade licence is for a period of one year, pay to the Commissioner the trade licence fee prescribed in Schedule 2.

An application under subregulation (1) must state the applicant’s name, address, e-contact means and identity document number. (20 of 2021 s. 89)

Where a trade licence is for a period less than one year, the applicant shall pay to the Commissioner the licence fee calculated by the Commissioner by multiplying one-tenth of the trade licence fee prescribed in Schedule 2 by the number of months for which the licence is applied for, any part of a month counting as a month.

The Commissioner, on being satisfied that the applicant—

shall issue to the applicant a trade licence in accordance with the application together with a set of 2 trade plates with a weather-proof holder for the trade licence attached to one trade plate.

The Commissioner, on being satisfied that the applicant—

may issue to the applicant a trade licence in accordance with the application together with a set of 2 trade plates with a weather-proof holder for the trade licence attached to one of them. (L.N. 88 of 2012)

Regulation 24 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to trade licences to the same extent as that regulation applies to vehicle licences.

Each trade licence shall contain—

If a trade plate is issued under regulation 43(1), it must display the letter “T”, followed by the number allocated in respect thereof, in red on a white background in a form specified by the Commissioner. (25 of 2005 s. 22; L.N. 88 of 2012)

If a trade plate is issued under regulation 43(1A), it must display the letter “T”, followed by the number allocated in respect of the plate, in blue on a white background in a form specified by the Commissioner. (L.N. 88 of 2012)

Trade plates issued in respect of a trade licence shall remain the property of the Commissioner and shall not be altered in any way after issue, except by the Commissioner.

When a trade licence is cancelled or expires without being replaced by a new trade licence bearing the same number, the person to whom the set of trade plates relating to the licence were issued shall return the set forthwith to the Commissioner. (L.N. 88 of 2012)

Upon return of the set of trade plates to him under subregulation (4), the Commissioner shall repay the deposit made in respect thereof less such amount as the Commissioner shall consider necessary to make good any damage to such trade plates.

When a vehicle other than a motor cycle or trailer is being used under a trade licence, the holder of the trade licence must display or cause the driver or the authorized user to display—

When a motor cycle or trailer is being used under a trade licence, the holder of the trade licence must display or cause the driver or the authorized user to display a trade plate issued to the holder with the trade licence attached to it on the rearmost part of the motor cycle or trailer in a vertical position, so that every letter and numeral of the trade plate is vertical and is distinguishable from the rear of the motor cycle or trailer.

When a vehicle other than a motor cycle or trailer is being used under a trade licence by an authorized user or by a prospective purchaser for the purpose of test or trial, the authorized user or prospective purchaser must display the trade plates in accordance with the requirements of subregulation (1)(a) and (b).

When a motor cycle or trailer is being used under a trade licence by an authorized user or by a prospective purchaser for the purpose of test or trial, the authorized user or prospective purchaser must display the trade plates in accordance with the requirements of subregulation (2).

The holder of a trade licence may, either generally or in a particular case, authorize in writing an employee of the holder who engages in the holder’s business as a manufacturer or repairer of or dealer in vehicles to use the trade licence.

The holder of a trade licence must—

The holder of a trade licence must also ensure that the authorization—

If an authorized user is not a person designated under subregulation (5), the authorized user must obtain the approval of such a person or the holder of the trade licence before using the trade licence.

The holder of a trade licence may designate a person to give the approval for the purposes of subregulation (4).

The holder of a trade licence must not designate a person under subregulation (5) unless the person is in charge of or responsible for managing the holder’s business as a manufacturer or repairer of or dealer in vehicles.

If the holder of a trade licence authorizes an authorized user to use the trade licence under subregulation (1), the holder must maintain a record of the authorization containing the particulars specified in Schedule 13.

The holder of a trade licence must immediately produce the record of the authorization for inspection on request by any police officer or the Commissioner.

While driving a vehicle in use under a trade licence or being present and in charge of a non-left-hand drive vehicle in use under a trade licence by a prospective purchaser for the purpose of test or trial, an authorized user must—

A trade licence must not be used in respect of any vehicle other than a vehicle that is in the possession of the holder of the trade licence in the course of the holder’s business as a manufacturer or repairer of or dealer in vehicles.

A trade licence must not at any time be used in respect of a vehicle that is being used for the conveyance of passengers for hire or reward or in respect of a vehicle that is being used for the conveyance of goods in the course of trade or for the delivery or removal of goods.

Unless used pursuant to a movement permit issued under regulation 53, a non-left-hand drive vehicle must not be used under a trade licence issued under regulation 43(1) if an application for registration and licensing of the vehicle under these regulations would be unsuccessful by virtue of failure to comply with the Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374 sub. leg. A) or for any other reason.

A left-hand drive vehicle must not be used under a trade licence issued under regulation 43(1A) unless the vehicle—

Subject to subregulations (1) and (2) and regulation 46, a trade licence issued under regulation 43(1) may be used only for driving—

Subject to subregulations (1) and (2) and regulation 46, a trade licence issued under regulation 43(1A) may be used only for driving—

A vehicle must not be used under a trade licence for any purpose other than a purpose for which the vehicle is authorized by these regulations to be used under the licence.

When a non-left-hand drive vehicle is being used under a trade licence, the number of passengers carried in or on the vehicle must not exceed 2, except where the Commissioner has given permission in writing for the carrying of more than 2 passengers in which case the number of passengers must not exceed the number specified in the permit.

When a left-hand drive vehicle is being used under a trade licence—

When a left-hand drive vehicle is being used under a trade licence, the driver of the vehicle must, on request by any police officer or the Commissioner, immediately produce evidence that the vehicle was imported into Hong Kong not more than 12 months ago.

The holder of a trade licence must maintain a register of all journeys made by vehicles in use under the trade licence.

The holder of a trade licence must ensure that—

A person who enters the particulars in the register must ensure that the particulars are entered clearly and legibly.

The holder of a trade licence must immediately produce the register maintained under subregulation (1) for inspection on request by any police officer or the Commissioner.

While driving a vehicle in use under a trade licence or being present and in charge of a non-left-hand drive vehicle in use under a trade licence by a prospective purchaser for the purpose of test or trial, an authorized user must—

If a vehicle is constructed for use by 1 person only and is being used under a trade licence by a prospective purchaser for the purpose of test or trial, the holder of the trade licence must ensure that the duplicate copy of the register or the part of the register specified in subregulation (5)(a) is kept on board the vehicle for inspection by any police officer or the Commissioner.

Any person who wishes to drive a motor vehicle, or wishes a motor vehicle to be driven, on a road closed in accordance with the Road Traffic (Traffic Control) Regulations (Cap. 374 sub. leg. G) (closed road) may apply to the Commissioner for a closed road permit and the Commissioner may issue such a permit subject to such conditions and in respect of such period as the Commissioner may think fit. (L.N. 166 of 2025)

A closed road permit may be issued to the holder of a trade licence for use in connection with the trade licence in relation to any vehicle that is in the possession of the holder in the course of the holder’s business as a manufacturer or repairer of or dealer in vehicles. (L.N. 88 of 2012)

Without affecting subregulation (1), a closed road permit issued under subregulation (1A) is subject to the conditions specified in subregulations (1C) and (1D). (L.N. 88 of 2012)

A closed road permit issued under subregulation (1A) may be used only for driving—

A motor vehicle in use in connection with a trade licence under a closed road permit issued under subregulation (1A) may only be driven on a closed road within a boundary control point specified in the permit. (L.N. 88 of 2012)

A closed road permit is not to be valid for more than—

No fee is to be charged for the issue of a closed road permit except—

Where a fee is, under subregulation (3), chargeable for a closed road permit, the fee is— (L.N. 168 of 2025)

Every person to whom a closed road permit is issued, and every person who drives a motor vehicle to which such permit relates on a closed road, must comply with the conditions, if any, of the permit. (L.N. 166 of 2025)

Any person who—

may apply to the Commissioner for a permit for that purpose (hereinafter referred to as a bus lane permit, prohibited zone permit or restricted zone permit, as the case may be) and the Commissioner may issue such a permit free of charge subject to such conditions and in respect of such period as the Commissioner may think fit.

No bus lane permit, prohibited zone permit or restricted zone permit shall be valid for more than 12 months. (L.N. 52 of 2007)

Every person to whom a bus lane permit, prohibited zone permit or restricted zone permit is issued, and every person who drives or uses a motor vehicle to which such permit relates in a bus lane, prohibited zone or restricted zone, as the case may be, shall comply with the conditions, if any, of the permit.

The registered owner of a motor vehicle which is not permitted to be used or driven on an expressway under regulation 4(1) of the Road Traffic (Expressway) Regulations (Cap. 374 sub. leg. Q) may apply to the Commissioner for a permit (expressway permit) which authorizes him to drive his vehicle or cause it to be driven by another person authorized by him on an expressway.

The holder of a trade licence or of a movement permit may also apply to the Commissioner for an expressway permit that authorizes the holder to—

The Commissioner may, on receipt of the payment of the appropriate fee prescribed in Schedule 2, issue an expressway permit subject to such conditions and for such period as the Commissioner may think fit.

No expressway permit shall be valid for more than 12 months. (L.N. 52 of 2007)

The holder of an expressway permit and any person who drives on an expressway a motor vehicle to which such permit relates shall comply with the conditions, if any, of the permit.

In subregulation (1A)—

The Commissioner may issue a goods permit for the carriage, for hire or reward, of goods other than personal effects in a vehicle registered as a—

An application for a goods permit shall be in a form specified by the Commissioner and shall be accompanied by the goods permit fee prescribed in Schedule 2.

On receipt of an application under subregulation (2) and the prescribed fee, the Commissioner may issue a goods permit for a period not exceeding 12 months and subject to such conditions as he may impose.

The Commissioner, on receipt of an application in a form specified by him and the excess passengers permit fee prescribed in Schedule 2, may issue an excess passengers permit subject to such terms and conditions as appear to him necessary authorizing the carriage of passengers in or on a goods vehicle in excess of the maximum passenger seating capacity of the class of vehicles as specified in the Third Schedule to the Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374 sub. leg. A). (L.N. 172 of 1989)

Before issuing an excess passengers permit under subregulation (1) the Commissioner may cause the goods vehicle to be examined.

An excess passengers permit issued under subregulation (1) may be issued for a period not exceeding 12 months but shall in any event expire on the date of expiry of the vehicle licence relating to the vehicle.

On the application of the owner of a vehicle which is not licensed and which—

the Commissioner, on payment to him of the movement permit fee prescribed in Schedule 2, may issue to the owner a movement permit authorizing the vehicle to be used for that purpose. (23 of 2002 s. 94)

An application under subregulation (1) must state the name, address, e-contact means and identity document number of the owner of the vehicle concerned. (20 of 2021 s. 91)

In any movement permit, the Commissioner may exempt the vehicle to which the permit relates from compliance with such provisions of the Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374 sub. leg. A) as he may consider necessary.

It is a condition of every movement permit that—

The holder of a movement permit to which a vehicle relates and the driver of the vehicle must each ensure that, if the vehicle is being used in any area where boothless tolling applies, the display movement permit plate requirement is complied with in respect of the vehicle. (20 of 2021 s. 91)

The display movement permit plate requirement means that—

For the purposes of subregulation (3AAB), a movement permit plate for a movement permit is a plate that— (E.R. 3 of 2022)

The Commissioner may impose on a movement permit—

A movement permit issued under subregulation (1) shall be valid for a period not exceeding 12 months.

(Repealed 23 of 2002 s. 94)

If there is any change of name, address, e-contact means or identity document number of the holder of a movement permit issued in respect of a vehicle, the holder must—

If the Commissioner—

the Commissioner may issue an amended movement permit to the holder. (L.N. 197 of 2022)

In this regulation—

A Part VIII permit must be issued in a form specified by the Commissioner and must contain the relevant particulars prescribed in Schedule 9.

A Part VIII permit is only effective while it is displayed on the front of the vehicle as near as possible to the vehicle licence displayed in accordance with regulation 25.

For a Part VIII permit issued in respect of a vehicle that is a Part VIII e-permit, while a proper printout of the e-permit is displayed on the vehicle, the printout is deemed to be the original Part VIII permit. (L.N. 197 of 2022)

For a receipt in the form of an electronic record that is deemed to be a valid Part VIII permit for a vehicle pursuant to regulation 59(6), while a clearly legible printout of the receipt (that conforms to the specifications specified by the Commissioner in the receipt) is displayed on the vehicle, the printout is deemed to be the original receipt. (L.N. 197 of 2022)

Where any condition of a trade licence or Part VIII permit is contravened, the Commissioner may, by giving notice in writing to the holder of the licence or permit at the address provided in the application for the licence or permit or at the holder’s address last known to the Commissioner (or in the case of a goods permit, excess passengers permit, long load permit or wide load permit by giving notice in writing to the person to whom it was issued), cancel the trade licence or permit, whether or not any person is or will be prosecuted for an offence under regulation 60(1). (L.N. 262 of 1984; L.N. 88 of 2012; L.N. 197 of 2022)

If a trade licence is cancelled under subregulation (1), the holder of the licence must—

If a Part VIII permit issued in respect of a vehicle is cancelled under subregulation (1), the holder of the permit must—

A police officer or any other officer authorized by the Commissioner may—

If—

the registered owner of the vehicle may apply to the Commissioner in a form specified by the Commissioner for a duplicate registration document or vehicle licence, and the Commissioner upon being satisfied as to such loss, destruction, defacement or illegibility and upon receipt of any registration document or vehicle licence which has been defaced or is illegible, shall issue a duplicate registration document or vehicle licence, marked as such, on payment of the appropriate fee prescribed in Schedule 2 (or without payment of a fee where in the case of a vehicle licence the Commissioner is satisfied that the figures or particulars on it have become illegible through no fault of the registered owner) and the duplicate registration document or vehicle licence so issued shall have the same effect as the original registration document or vehicle licence.

If an ICP-related document (original document) is lost, destroyed, defaced or damaged—

If a trade licence is lost, destroyed or defaced or a Part VIII permit is lost, destroyed, defaced or damaged—

If a certificate of allocation is lost, destroyed or defaced, the personalized registration mark holder may apply to the Commissioner in a form specified by the Commissioner for a duplicate certificate of allocation, and the Commissioner upon being satisfied as to such loss, destruction or defacement and upon receipt of any certificate of allocation which has been defaced, shall issue a duplicate certificate of allocation, marked as such, on payment of the appropriate fee prescribed in Schedule 2 and the duplicate certificate of allocation so issued shall have the same effect as the original certificate of allocation. (25 of 2005 s. 23)

No person may apply for—

On the issue of a duplicate of a specified document under this regulation, the original of the document ceases to be valid. (L.N. 170 of 2025)

If a duplicate of a specified document is issued under this regulation on the ground that the original of the document is lost and, during the currency of the duplicate, the original of the document is found, the specified person for the document must—

If the original of an international circulation permit (original ICP) issued in respect of a motor vehicle is an e-ICP, the person to whom the permit was issued must ensure that, after the issue of a duplicate of the permit, no printout of the original ICP is displayed on the vehicle. (L.N. 170 of 2025)

If the original of a Part VIII permit (original permit) issued in respect of a vehicle is a Part VIII e-permit, the person to whom the permit was issued must ensure that, after the issue of a duplicate of the permit, no printout of the original permit is displayed on the vehicle. (L.N. 197 of 2022; L.N. 170 of 2025)

Where due to circumstances beyond his control the Commissioner is unable for the time being to issue a duplicate registration document, vehicle licence, trade licence, Part VIII permit or certificate of allocation under this regulation, the receipt issued by him for the payment of the fee for a duplicate registration document, vehicle licence, trade licence, Part VIII permit or certificate of allocation shall be deemed for the purposes of these regulations to be a valid registration document, vehicle licence, trade licence, Part VIII permit or certificate of allocation in place of the original registration document, vehicle licence, trade licence, Part VIII permit or certificate of allocation, until a duplicate registration document, vehicle licence, trade licence, Part VIII permit or certificate of allocation is issued or the expiry of a period of 30 days after the issue of the receipt, whichever is the earlier. (L.N. 197 of 2022)

In this regulation—

Notwithstanding anything in these regulations, the Commissioner— (20 of 2021 s. 92)

Despite anything in these regulations, the Commissioner—

Any person who without reasonable excuse contravenes any of the provisions of, or any requirement under, regulation 7(2) or (3), 8, 12M(1), 17(1), (2) or (6), 18, 19(1), (3), (4) or (6), 20(1) or (3), 22(1) or (1A), 36(2), 41, 43A, 44(3) or (4), 46A(2), (3), (4), (6), (7), (8) or (9), 48, 49(5), 50(3), 50A(4), 53(3AA) or (6), 57(2) or (2A) or 59(3), (5), (5AA) or (5A) or any condition imposed under regulation 40(4), 51(3), 52(1), 53(3) or (3A) or 54 commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 1. (L.N. 262 of 1984; L.N. 247 of 1991; L.N. 277 of 1992; L.N. 67 of 2005; 25 of 2005 s. 24; L.N. 52 of 2007; 20 of 2021 s. 93; L.N. 197 of 2022; L.N. 170 of 2025)

Any person who obstructs any police officer or other officer authorized by the Commissioner in the exercise of any power conferred by regulation 12P, 22(2), 35D or 57(3) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 1 and to imprisonment for 3 months. (25 of 2005 s. 24; L.N. 170 of 2025)

Any person who contravenes regulation 25A(3) commits an offence and is liable—

Subject to subregulation (7), if any vehicle is upon or used on any road in contravention of regulation 23(1), 25 or 29(1), (2) or (4), or is upon or used on any private road in contravention of regulation 23A(1), the registered owner and the driver of the vehicle at the time of such contravention each commits an offence and is liable— (L.N. 21 of 1989; L.N. 88 of 2012; E.R. 3 of 2022)

Any person who without reasonable excuse contravenes regulation 31A(1) or (2), 34(3), 35(4), 35B(3) or (4) or 35C(2) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 1. (L.N. 52 of 2007; L.N. 170 of 2025)

Subject to subregulation (7), if a motor vehicle in respect of which an international circulation permit is in force is on or used on any road in contravention of regulation 35A(1), the holder of the permit and the driver of the vehicle at the time of the contravention each commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 1 and to imprisonment for 3 months. (L.N. 170 of 2025)

If any vehicle is upon or used on any road in contravention of regulation 45, 46 or 47(1), (2), (3), (4)(c), (5), (6), (7), (8) or (9), the holder of the trade licence, the authorized user who is present and in charge of the vehicle in use under the trade licence by a prospective purchaser and the driver of the vehicle at the time of the contravention each commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 1. (L.N. 88 of 2012)

If any vehicle is upon or used on any road in contravention of regulation 47(4)(a) or (b), the holder of the trade licence commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 1. (L.N. 88 of 2012)

The driver of a vehicle who contravenes regulation 47(10) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 1. (L.N. 88 of 2012)

If a person—

the person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 2 and to imprisonment for 6 months. (L.N. 197 of 2022)

A person who knowingly makes any false or misleading entry—

commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 1. (L.N. 88 of 2012)

It is a defence to a charge alleging a contravention of regulation 25 or 35A(1) for the defendant to show that the vehicle to which the charge relates was, at the time of that contravention, parked on a private road. (L.N. 21 of 1989; L.N. 170 of 2025)

This regulation applies if a magistrate—

When imposing a fine on the convicted person, the magistrate must also make an order directing the Commissioner, for so long as the convicted person fails to pay the fine—

An order under subregulation (2) must specify—

The magistrate must cause a notice of the order to be sent to the Commissioner if the fine is not paid within 24 hours of the making of the order.

An order under subregulation (2) ceases to have effect if—

An order under subregulation (2)(b) ceases to have effect in respect of a motor vehicle if—

For the purposes of subregulation (6)(b), a certificate of clearance is valid for not more than 72 hours from the time of issue, but no day that is a general holiday is to be taken into account in computing that period of 72 hours.

In this regulation—

Schedule 10 shall have effect for the purposes of transition to the provisions of these regulations from the provisions of the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 220 sub. leg.) and the Road Traffic (International Circulation) Regulations (Cap. 220 sub. leg.) revoked by regulation 61 of these regulations and shall be in addition to and shall not derogate from section 23 of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance (Cap. 1).

(Repealed 89 of 1994 s. 31)

Regulation 11(1) shall not have effect in relation to a registration mark falling within the description in paragraph (b) of that regulation if—

In this regulation— (E.R. 3 of 2022)

(L.N. 169 of 2025)

If—

then in relation to payment of any fee under regulation 21 for the licence renewal, the pre-amended Schedule 2 continues to apply as if the Amendment Regulation had not been made.

Subregulation (4) applies if—

Regulation 21(7) has effect as if a reference in that regulation to the appropriate annual licence fee were— (L.N. 169 of 2025)

Subregulations (2), (3) and (4) have effect with respect to regulations 21(9), 23 and 23A and, accordingly, a reference to regulation 21 in regulations 21(9), 23(4) and 23A(4) is a reference to regulation 21 as read together with those subregulations.

In this regulation—

If the Commissioner received an application on or before 31 December 2025 for the issue of a closed road permit under regulation 49(1) or (1A), then in relation to any fee for the issue of the permit, the pre-amended Schedule 2 continues to apply as if the Amendment Regulation had not been made.