Latest Search
Quote
| Back Zoom + Zoom - | ||||
|
LegCo Passes Ride-hailing Service Ordinance; 1st Batch of Licensed Platforms Expected to Commence Operations in 4Q26
Recommend 2 Positive 3 Negative 1 |
||||
|
||||
|
The Hong Kong government welcomed the passage of the Road Traffic (Amendment) (Ride-Hailing Service) Bill 2025 on Wednesday (15th). The ordinance will be gazetted on 24 October. The government plans to submit the subsidiary legislation detailing regulatory requirements to the Legislative Council for scrutiny in 1H26, with a view to completing the relevant legislative procedures in mid-2026. Subject to the preparatory work of the platforms that are granted ride-hailing service licenses, it is expected that the licensed platforms may commence operations in 4Q26. A government spokesperson said that the Road Traffic (Amendment) (Ride-Hailing Service) Ordinance 2025 introduces a regulatory framework for ride-hailing services, requiring platforms, vehicles, and drivers providing ride-hailing services to obtain licences or permits. Platforms holding ride-hailing service licences must maintain proper and efficient services and conduct due diligence on their vehicles and drivers. Ride-hailing vehicles must meet various requirements, including holding appropriate third-party risk insurance, complying with the requirements on the age and inspection of vehicles, and being linked to the driver (i.e. the vehicle must be registered in the name of an individual and be driven by its registered owner to provide ride-hailing passenger services), the spokesperson added. Also, ride-hailing vehicle drivers must meet specified conditions, such as being at least 21 years old, having no serious traffic convictions within the past five years, and have passed a relevant test. In addition to regulating ride-hailing services, the ordinance also strengthens penalties and arrangements related to illegal carriage of passengers for reward. This includes specifying that convicted drivers should be disqualified from driving for not less than 12 months (and not more than three years), and strengthening arrangements for the temporary suspension of vehicle licences and vehicle impoundments, enabling enforcement agencies to impound vehicles involved, even if the driver involved cannot be identified for the purpose of instituting criminal proceedings, thereby further combating illegal carriage of passengers for reward. AASTOCKS Financial News Website: www.aastocks.com |
||||
Copied to Clipboard
 |
||||
