Ride-hailing operators, vehicles in Hong Kong to need renewable licences

Operators of ride-hailing platforms and vehicles in Hong Kong will need to apply for renewable rather than permanent licences under a proposed regulatory framework, to prevent speculative trading that is rampant in the city’s taxi trade, the Post has learned.

An insider on Thursday said the ride-hailing platforms would need to pay for the licences, which would have an expiry date.

The number of vehicles operating under each platform would also be capped, and the owner of each vehicle would need to pay for the time-limited licence and commercial insurance, the source said.

“Authorities prefer time-limited licences for both types to avoid repeating the speculative trading issues seen with taxi licences,” the insider added.

The source said that drivers who signed with the platforms would be required to pass a written test that was similar to one for cabbies.

But the insider stopped short of saying how much the licence fee would cost or the maximum number of vehicles allowed to join the scheme.