Hong Kong car passengers aged under 8 must travel in safety seats from November

Passengers under eight years old will need to use safety seats or similar equipment while travelling in private cars in Hong Kong from November 1.

A fixed HK$230 (US$29.60) fine would be issued to any drivers caught in breach of the new requirement, with serious cases to be referred to a court, where a penalty of up to HK$2,000 could be imposed, the Transport Department said on Monday.

“The new requirement aims to enhance protection for children and passenger safety,” a department spokesman said.

“Child restraining devices provide effective protection for child passengers in traffic accidents and they can substantially reduce the risks of being killed or seriously injured.”

The rule will apply regardless of whether a child sits in a vehicle’s front or back passenger seats. Children with a height of 1.35 metres (4.43 feet) or more, as well as those aged eight and above, will be exempt from the rule.

The requirement will take effect following the passage of the Road Traffic (Safety Equipment) (Amendment) Regulation 2024 by the Legislative Council in early November.