Want to drive your own car north to Guangdong? The Northbound HK Vehicles scheme allows Hong Kong private cars to enter and exit Guangdong Province via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. From 13 October 2025 the scheme became more convenient — approved vehicles are no longer restricted to designated closed roads and no longer need to apply for a Closed Road Permit. All information in this article is compiled from the Northbound HK Vehicles official website (Transport Department) "Application Guidelines" and "FAQs"; scheme details may be updated, and any changes after publication are subject to official announcements.
Before You Apply: Requirements and Process Overview
Northbound HK Vehicles accepts online applications only. Applicants submit their application and supporting documents through the official designated website, and both the Hong Kong and Mainland governments jointly vet the application. Applicants must provide a correct email address when submitting, as all subsequent progress updates, Mainland approval results and renewal notices are sent by email (some steps also use Mainland mobile SMS notifications).
Eligibility: Person, Vehicle, Driver
- The applicant must be a Hong Kong resident holding a valid Hong Kong Identity Card and a Home Return Permit;
- The applicant must be the registered owner of the private car (the vehicle must be held in personal name and be a non-commercial private car);
- The vehicle must have 8 seats or fewer (including the driver), be less than 6 metres in length, and hold a valid Hong Kong vehicle licence;
- Each applicant may designate no more than two drivers for their private car; designated drivers must hold both Hong Kong and Mainland driving licences.
Vehicles that already hold a "Guangdong-Hong Kong Cross-Boundary Private Car Regular Quota" or a "Shenzhen Bay Cross-Boundary Private Car One-Off Special Quota" are not eligible to apply for Northbound HK Vehicles.
Ballot and Application Process
- Register for the computer ballot: Register via the official designated website. Ballots run in different rounds each month; the registration period, announcement date and submission period are published on the official website timetable;
- Submit application after winning the ballot: You must submit within the designated 13 calendar days allocated to you. Late submissions cannot be accepted and will not be automatically rolled into the next round;
- Joint vetting by both governments: The Transport Department conducts an initial vetting while Mainland authorities review in parallel, and will notify you by email or Mainland mobile SMS of the procedures you need to complete;
- Vehicle inspection: After receiving notification, take your vehicle to a designated inspection location in Hong Kong for examination — you do not need to drive the vehicle into the Mainland for inspection;
- Buy insurance: Purchase the "Motor Vehicle Traffic Accident Liability Compulsory Insurance" (Compulsory Traffic Insurance) or "equivalent first recognition" insurance that complies with national regulations;
- Wait for the electronic permit and electronic approval letter: After the Mainland authorities approve, they issue an "Electronic Temporary Entry Motor Vehicle Permit". The Transport Department takes about three working days to process after receiving the Mainland result, then notifies you by email and issues the electronic approval letter.
⚠️ Two easy pitfalls: once the application is submitted, vehicle and driver details cannot be changed (adding or removing drivers, changing vehicles, transferring ownership, changing licence plates, etc. are all not allowed). To make changes, you must re-enter the ballot and apply again. Also, the electronic permit's validity period must match the insurance validity period, with a maximum of one year.
Border Crossing Booking: the "Designated Dates Booking System"
This is the most practical detail for 2026, and the official wording is very clear:
- On Tuesdays and Wednesdays (except designated dates), you may cross via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port to Guangdong Province without booking;
- On Mondays, Thursdays to Sundays and designated dates, you must first book a designated date and time slot through the "Designated Dates Booking System", then travel in your selected time slot;
- "Designated dates" include Hong Kong or Mainland public holidays and their eves, days when the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge waives tolls, and dates announced by the authorities from time to time;
- The booking arrangement applies to the outbound journey only — vehicles returning to Hong Kong via the bridge do not need to book.
In addition, from 13 October 2025, approved vehicles are no longer restricted to designated closed roads, and existing permit holders no longer need to display the permit on the windscreen, but must still keep a valid permit and approval letter until the expiry date and present them for inspection by law enforcement officers.
Three Things to Bring When Departing
- A valid electronic permit issued by the Mainland authorities;
- A valid permit or electronic approval letter (the electronic approval letter must be downloaded or printed yourself);
- Proof of Mainland Compulsory Traffic Insurance or equivalent first recognition insurance.
The vehicle must carry the above documents to enter and exit the cross-boundary closed road and Guangdong Province.
Stay Limits and Renewal
The scheme stipulates: each entry into the Mainland allows a continuous stay of no more than 30 days, and the cumulative stay in the Mainland must not exceed 180 days per year. For renewal, those who meet the "renewal application eligibility" may skip the computer ballot and submit a renewal application online within the designated application period allocated by the Transport Department.
Bridge and Port Facilities (2026)
The official information mentions two useful facilities for self-drive travellers: Zhuhai has opened the "Bridge Port Service Area" (located on the north side of the Bridge Zhuhai Port), covering a commercial and leisure zone and a parking area with nearly 2,500 parking spaces (including 238 charging spaces); car owners can also use the "Bridge Port Real-Time Clearance" service on the "Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Zhuhai Port" or "Zhuhai Fabu" WeChat official accounts to check real-time vehicle clearance conditions at Zhuhai Port. During long weekends and long holidays, the Transport Department urges travellers to plan ahead and travel at off-peak times.
Bridge tolls, Mainland insurance fees and vehicle inspection fees are subject to adjustment — always refer to the latest announcements from the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Authority / Transport Department and insurance companies. This article does not list specific amounts.
FAQ
Can Northbound HK Vehicles use Shenzhen Bay or Lok Ma Chau Port?
No. The scheme currently only allows entry and exit to Guangdong Province via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge; other ports cannot be used.
If I miss the submission window allocated by the ballot, can I submit late?
No. The official rules state clearly: you must submit within the designated 13 calendar days allocated by the computer. If you fail to submit within the designated period, you must register for the next ballot round. Registration details are not automatically rolled into the next round.
How long is the validity period after approval?
The electronic permit is valid for a maximum of one year and must match the Mainland insurance validity period; the expiry date on the Transport Department's electronic approval letter will match the Mainland electronic permit.
What if the vehicle's details change while in the Mainland?
Official rules: if there are changes to the licence plate number, engine number, body colour, etc., transfer of registered ownership, or cancellation of vehicle registration in Hong Kong, the designated driver should drive the vehicle out of the Mainland back to Hong Kong, and the owner must promptly apply to the Zhuhai Public Security Bureau Traffic Management Department to cancel the electronic permit.
What should I watch out for when driving in the Mainland?
The Mainland operates under road traffic safety laws and a demerit point system; cross-boundary drivers must obey Mainland traffic rules. Before departure, it is advisable to familiarise yourself with the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge tolls and driver notices (see the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Section thematic website for details).
— Compiled by the HKSZ Life editorial team, your Shenzhen living guide; sources: Northbound HK Vehicles official website (Transport Department) "Application Guidelines" and "FAQs". Scheme details are subject to the latest official announcements.
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