Seat belts mandatory for seated passengers on Hong Kong public transport and commercial vehicles from 25 January 2026

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Offenders will be liable to a maximum fine of HK$5,000 and imprisonment for up to three months.

New requirements for the mandatory fitting and wearing of seat belts on Hong Kong public transport and commercial vehicles came into effect on 25 January 2026.

Under the new regulations, seat belts must be installed in the following seats of newly registered vehicles:

• all passengers' seats in public and private buses;
• rear passengers' seats in private light buses and goods vehicles (GVs); and
• driver's seats and all passengers' seats of special purpose vehicles (SPVs).

Drivers and passengers occupying seats fitted with seat belts in these vehicles, regardless of whether they are newly registered, must wear them unless they have a reasonable excuse.

Vehicle owners, drivers or passengers who breach the requirements will be liable to a maximum fine of HK$5,000 and imprisonment for up to three months. All passengers are responsible for ensuring they wear seat belts.

In particular, any driver who drives a GV or SPV while a passenger under the age of 15 is seated in a rear seat or passenger seat without wearing a seat belt will be subject to a maximum fine of HK$2,000.

Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said during a television programme that the new measures are aimed at safeguarding passenger safety, not penalising the public.

She added that enforcement at the initial stage will focus on public education and publicity, and that officers will exercise discretion by balancing empathy, rationality, and the law.

In addition, from the same date, drivers are prohibited from placing more than two mobile telecommunications devices (MTDs) – i.e. mobile phones, tablet computers, or laptop computers – in front of them while driving. The diagonal length of each screen must not exceed 19 centimetres, and the devices must not obstruct the driver's view of the road and traffic, or any mirror, device, or camera-monitor fitted for viewing road conditions. Offenders will be liable to a maximum fine of HK$2,000.

Photo / HKSAR Government Press Releases