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6h ago

Hong Kong Passes Law to Regulate Ride-Hailing, Bringing Uber Under Licensing Regime

Officials plan to set vehicle quotas in subsidiary rules next year, with the first licensed services targeted for late 2026.

FILE - Impounded vehicles meant for Uber service, center, are parked behind a police cordon line at a police station in Hong Kong, on May 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File)
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Overview

  • The legislation requires platforms, vehicles and drivers to obtain licences overseen by the transport commissioner.
  • Drivers must be at least 21, hold a private car licence for at least one year, have no serious traffic convictions within five years, pass a test and complete a pre-service course.
  • Operating a platform without a licence can draw fines up to HK$1 million and one year in jail, and arranging unlicensed cars or drivers carries jail terms and escalating fines per violation.
  • When granting platform licences, the commissioner may consider a company’s experience, financial capacity and intended investments.
  • Uber Hong Kong welcomed the law as a milestone and called for talks on vehicle quota mechanisms, citing concerns that caps could raise wait times and reduce driver earnings.