Hong Kong extends stranded vehicle measures

The measures were rolled out last December.

Hong Kong will extend its special measures to help stranded vehicles with expired licences trapped outside of the city to return for examinations and license renewal until 31 December, the Transport Department announced.

The measures were implemented to assist cross-boundary vehicles which are still stranded in the Mainland or Macao to return to Hong Kong to complete the vehicle examination and licence renewal procedures.

The measures were supposed to end on 30 June.

Vehicle owners who want to apply for the assistance will need to send an application to the Transport Department at least two weeks in advance. After approval, eligible vehicles may be driven back to the city on a specified date via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge port along a designated route to a specified car park or location. The vehicle may then be transferred through a self-arranged towing service to a local designated car testing centre for examination prior to the license renewal.

The approved vehicle should also be driven by a designated driver who has successfully made an appointment under the Return2hk or Come2hk Scheme on the date of examination.

The Transport Department urged vehicle owners to submit their applications as early as possible in person or through an agent by email, post or via a drop-in box as the a daily limit is set for the number of returning vehicles.

The department also said it will publish a notice in the gazette to exempt the cross-boundary vehicles approved to return to Hong Kong on a specified date from the regulations on vehicle registration licensing.