Can Hong Kong License Plate Vehicles Travel Beyond Guangdong?

[VonRose]

Vehicles with Hong Kong and Macau license plates are not permitted to travel beyond Guangdong Province. According to the "Reply from the Ministry of Public Security on the Use of 92-Style Vehicle License Plates for Vehicles Entering and Exiting Mainland China from Hong Kong and Macau" (Public Traffic Management [2000] No. 112), it is explicitly stipulated that the driving area for vehicles entering and exiting mainland China from Hong Kong and Macau is restricted to within Guangdong Province. This means that, as per the regulations in this reply from the Ministry of Public Security, such license plates can only be used within Guangdong Province and should not appear in other mainland cities. More details are as follows: Special License Plates: These are common special license plates in Guangdong, known as "Hong Kong Private Vehicle Entry and Exit Mainland License Plates," commonly referred to as "Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau License Plates." Traffic Regulations: The relevant regulations for Guangdong-Hong Kong cross-border license plates are issued by the Traffic Management Bureau of the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department, aimed at facilitating business travel between the two regions. According to the regulations, applying for a Guangdong-Hong Kong cross-border license plate requires payment of a handling fee.

[Eddie]

I frequently drive between Hong Kong and the mainland, so I know quite a bit about Guangdong-Hong Kong license plates. Hong Kong-plated vehicles (mainly those with Yue Z plates) are allowed to enter mainland China's Guangdong Province, designed initially for convenient travel to places like Shenzhen and Guangzhou. However, driving beyond Guangdong to other provinces is more complicated. Theoretically, it's possible to apply for special permits, but the procedures are cumbersome: you need to obtain a pass from the transport bureau, update vehicle registration, and adjust insurance coverage for mainland travel. Many people find it too troublesome and only drive within the Pearl River Delta. If caught driving beyond without permission, penalties range from fines to vehicle impoundment—hardly worth the risk. My advice is, if you really want to travel across provinces, consider parking in Shenzhen and taking the high-speed rail or renting a car instead. It saves time, effort, and ensures safety.