N環球 
Hong Kong weighs lottery for 10,000 ride-hailing vehicle permits as 16,000 sign up for exam
Transport Secretary Mable Chan said on October 24 that about 16,000 people have registered for the new joint taxi and ride-hailing examination, and the government is considering a lottery to allocate the first 10,000 ride-hailing vehicle permits, with details expected in November.
Why it matters
Hong Kong's ride-hailing regulatory framework is taking shape: platform licences and vehicle permits are approved separately, and the first batch of vehicle permits is capped at 10,000 while exam registrations have already passed that number. How the permits are allocated will decide who gets into the trade first. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said on October 24 that details are expected next month, with a lottery under consideration.
Full report
About 16,000 people have registered for the combined taxi and ride-hailing written examination since it launched in early August, with a pass rate above 60 percent. Chan said officials are examining whether applicants who took or completed the test early could receive better odds in a lottery, and that the government also wants room for younger people and those intending to drive part-time.
Applications from platform operators close at noon on October 30, and the first list of approved platforms is expected in late November or early December, assessed on operating experience, financial strength, local presence and service quality. Guidance on how individual drivers apply for vehicle permits is targeted for publication in November. Platform, vehicle and driver approvals are separate, and all three are required.
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