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1.
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How to identify a private car is issued with a hire car permit?
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The Transport Department has launched the Online Checking System for Hire Car Permit to facilitate the public in checking whether a private car with a particular registration mark has been issued with a valid HCP for carriage of passengers for hire or reward in advance of an intended journey. To access the Online Checking System for Hire Car Permit, please visit the webpage below:
https://www.gov.hk/hirecarpermit
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2.
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What are the consequences of using a private car without a valid hire car permit to carry passengers for hire or reward?
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In accordance with section 52(3) of the Road Traffic Ordinance, Cap. 374, no person shall drive or use a motor vehicle; or suffer or permit a motor vehicle to be driven or used, for the carriage of passengers for hire or reward unless a hire car permit is in force in respect of the vehicle. Any person who contravens this section commits an offence and is liable on a first conviction to a fine at level 3 and to imprisonment for 6 months; and on a subsequent conviction to a fine at level 4 and to imprisonment of 12 months.
Moreover, in accordance with sections 90 to 93 of Cap. 374, if a person is convicted under section 52(3), the licence of his/her vehicle may be suspended for a period of 6 months on first offence; and a period of 12 months on subsequent offence in respect of the same vehicle. The vehicle concerned shall be delivered into the custody of Transport Department during the vehicle licence suspension period.
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3.
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Are there any special conditions that a hire car permit is subject to?
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Under Regulation 14(5) of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations, Cap. 374D, a hire car permit shall be subject to such of the conditions set out in Schedule 3 as are specified in the hire car permit and to such other conditions as the Commissioner for Transport may from time to time specify in the hire car permit. Some of the major conditions are:
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1.
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(a)
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The hire car service shall be operated only from an address -
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(i)
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specified in the hire car permit issued therefor; and
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(ii)
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registered with the Commissioner.
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(b)
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No hire car service hiring shall commence unless there is first recorded in the specified form of record at the address mentioned in paragraph (a) or at such other address (if any) specified in the hire car permit-
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(i)
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the name of the person hiring the private car; and
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(ii)
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a brief description of the journey for which the private car is hired.
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2.
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Touting is not allowed. The permit holder shall not provide hire car service in respect of one private car to more than one hirer at separate fares at one time.
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3.
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The hire car permit shall be displayed on the left-hand side of the vehicle's windscreen and in such a manner that the permit is clearly visible from the front of the vehicle for easy inspection.
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4.
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A hire car permit holder shall not place or cause to be placed on or in the private car any marking, words, sign or device visible on or from the outside of the car except such as may be approved or required by law or by the Commissioner in writing.
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5.
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The private car shall not be fitted with any equipment permitting the driver to transmit and receive messages by radio, unless the hire car permit is for an hotel hire car service or an airport hire car service.
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6.
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A private car in respect of which a hire car permit is issued for an hotel hire car service shall not be hired other than for the conveyance of guests of an hotel which is specified in the hire car permit and of persons bona fide accompanying such guests.
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7.
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A private car in respect of which a hire car permit is issued for a tour hire car service shall exclusively be used to provide tour hire car service to a designated travel agent and it shall not be hired other than for the conveyance of visitors to Hong Kong and of persons bona fide accompanying such visitors on a journey which commences and terminates at the same point.
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Under Regulation 21 of Cap. 374D, any person who drives or uses any private car in respect of which a hire car permit is issued in contravention of any condition of the hire car permit commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $2,000 and to imprisonment for six months. If the offence is committed by any person other than the hire car permit holder, the hire car permit holder also commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $2,000 and to imprisonment for six months. The Commissioner for Transport may cancel the hire car permit concerned according to Regulation 22 of Cap.374D.
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4.
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What is the current composition of the Contract Hire Car Permits Selection Board?
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The Contract Hire Car Permits Selection Board currently comprises the following members:
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(i)
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Assistant Commissioner for Transport/ Administration and Licensing, Transport Department [Chairman];
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(ii)
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One non-official member from Transport Advisory Committee (Dr NG Ka-chui, Isaac);
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(iii)
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One non-official member (Mr CHAN Cham-man, Simon)
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(iv)
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Principal Assistant Secretary for Transport and Logistics 6, Transport and Logistics Bureau; and
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(v)
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Chief Transport Officer / Public Vehicles and Prosecution, Transport Department
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5.
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Which operators are granted with valid Private Service (Limousine) Hire Car Permits?
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As at 31 October 2024, the persons / companies listed in the hyperlink below have at least one private car issued with Private Service (Limousine) Hire Car Permit and have given consent for the Transport Department to publish their contact information on this Department's website to facilitate the public to contact them direct to enquire about the service details.
List of operators granted with valid Private Service (Limousine) Hire Car Permits (as at 31 October 2024)
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