Planning to drive in the GBA? Here’s what you should know

The Greater Bay Area (GBA), which comprises Hong Kong, Macau and nine cities in Guangdong Province in Mainland China, continues to be a very popular destination with Hong Kong residents. During the recent Easter holidays, huge numbers of people took the opportunity to visit various locations in the GBA, with many of them using the high-speed rail links between Hong Kong and the rest of the region.

But did you know that it is also possible to drive private cars from Hong Kong to the GBA using the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB)? Last year, it was announced that the first applicants, some 1,600 lucky vehicle owners drawn from a ballot, could apply for a Closed Road Permit, enabling them to travel to Guangdong Province using the HZMB. At present, the ballot has a cap of 300 applications per day, but this could be increased gradually if the system operates smoothly. The Hong Kong government estimates that more than 450,000 car owners and passengers from Hong Kong will benefit from the programme in time.

If you are a car owner and are lucky enough to be drawn in the ballot, you could soon find yourself driving to Zhuhai and beyond, whether for family visits, leisure or simply just to enjoy the journey across what is the world’s longest fixed sea crossing, spanning approximately 55km. However, there are some important considerations to bear in mind. The first is that drivers in Mainland China drive on the left – not on the right like in Hong Kong and Macau. This is probably seems obvious to most Hong Kong drivers, but is still important to remember when you cross the border into the mainland. A moment’s forgetfulness could cause an unwanted accident, after all.

Secondly, it is worth noting that some of the other rules of the road differ between Hong Kong and Mainland China. There are contrasting speed limits, for example, for various types of roads. For instance, in Hong Kong the speed limit for all roads is 50km/h unless stated otherwise, going up to 110km/h for the fastest roads. In Mainland China, however, most city roads have an 80km/h limit and highways have a 120km/h limit. Remembering these differences could prove critical if you are driving in the GBA for the first time.

Another essential consideration is having the right insurance to protect you during cross-border journeys. Motor insurance requirements in Hong Kong and Mainland China differ, so find a policy that covers you, as a Hong Kong driver, while in the GBA.

MSIG’s HZMB Hong Kong Cross Border Motor Vehicle Insurance plan provides one-stop protection, including the compulsory traffic accident liability protection of up to RMB200,000. This is essential if you are unlucky enough to be involved in a traffic accident as it protects you financially against causing death, bodily injury or property damage to third party, as well as the cost of associated medical expenses. The coverage can even be extended up to RMB5,000,000 beyond the standard coverage for Third Party Liability, while up to RMB100,000 per seat for Driver and Passenger Liability, which should give you the reassurance you need when driving on unfamiliar roads in Mainland China.

When driving to the GBA via the HZMB, you should ensure you are protected against any eventuality and are not leaving anything to chance. Enjoy all the opportunities the GBA has to offer, but remember to keep yourself, your passengers and other road users safe by having adequate insurance for your needs.

Find out more about MSIG’s HZMB Hong Kong Cross Border Motor Vehicle Insurance plan, please click here.

If you are living in Macau, we also provide HZMB Macau Cross Border Motor Vehicle Insurance, please click here.

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If you have any queries, please feel free to contact us .

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