Hong Kong’s Transport Department disclosed on 24 February that it has issued six pilot licences covering at least 60 autonomous vehicles since late 2024 and is now studying point-to-point commercial operations within designated zones.(news.rthk.hk) Total accident-free mileage is mounting, and officials say the city’s progress is on par with global peers.
Next on the roadmap is integrating driverless shuttles with other modes: proof-of-concept trials are under way to move luggage between West Kowloon high-speed-rail station and Airport Express Kowloon station. If successful, passenger-carriage pilots could follow, offering seamless transfers for cross-border travellers.
Officials also flagged the Northern Metropolis as a prime future test bed, including scenarios where autonomous vehicles cross into Shenzhen. Such trials would require new bilateral protocols on telematics data, insurance and customs pre-clearance—areas corporate mobility teams should watch closely.
![Hong Kong expands autonomous-vehicle testing to cross-border scenarios]()
For executives and engineers who will need to travel frequently between Hong Kong and mainland China to oversee these AV pilots, managing visas can quickly become a bottleneck. VisaHQ’s Hong Kong platform (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) streamlines applications for China visas and other regional travel documents, offering end-to-end tracking and expert support so mobility projects stay on schedule.
While Hong Kong’s left-hand-drive environment still challenges mainland-developed AV systems, regulators have convened an “Autonomous Vehicle Application Facilitation Taskforce” to refine licensing and safety frameworks. Industry insiders expect a consultation paper on commercial-service permits by mid-year.
For multinational companies managing commuter fleets or last-mile logistics in the Greater Bay Area, early adoption of driverless solutions could cut costs and support ESG goals. However, firms must prepare for cyber-security audits and new cross-jurisdiction liabilities once border-hopping AVs become reality.
Next on the roadmap is integrating driverless shuttles with other modes: proof-of-concept trials are under way to move luggage between West Kowloon high-speed-rail station and Airport Express Kowloon station. If successful, passenger-carriage pilots could follow, offering seamless transfers for cross-border travellers.
Officials also flagged the Northern Metropolis as a prime future test bed, including scenarios where autonomous vehicles cross into Shenzhen. Such trials would require new bilateral protocols on telematics data, insurance and customs pre-clearance—areas corporate mobility teams should watch closely.
For executives and engineers who will need to travel frequently between Hong Kong and mainland China to oversee these AV pilots, managing visas can quickly become a bottleneck. VisaHQ’s Hong Kong platform (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) streamlines applications for China visas and other regional travel documents, offering end-to-end tracking and expert support so mobility projects stay on schedule.
While Hong Kong’s left-hand-drive environment still challenges mainland-developed AV systems, regulators have convened an “Autonomous Vehicle Application Facilitation Taskforce” to refine licensing and safety frameworks. Industry insiders expect a consultation paper on commercial-service permits by mid-year.
For multinational companies managing commuter fleets or last-mile logistics in the Greater Bay Area, early adoption of driverless solutions could cut costs and support ESG goals. However, firms must prepare for cyber-security audits and new cross-jurisdiction liabilities once border-hopping AVs become reality.
