HZMB Self-Drive Information Table v3
| Category | Details | Fees/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable Scope | Travel via HZMB between Hong Kong, Macau, and Zhuhai; private vehicles cannot drive onto the bridge solely with ordinary tourist status. Relevant quotas, designated cross-border driving program qualifications, or only port park-and-ride must be arranged first. | From Hong Kong Port to Macau Port/Zhuhai Port is approximately 42 km, with official driving time around 40 minutes; actual total time should also account for city connections, ticket purchasing/waiting, immigration, and vehicle customs clearance. |
| Hong Kong Private Vehicle Quota for Hong Kong-Macau (City) Travel | The tenth batch in May 2026 comprises a total of 1,400 Hong Kong quotas: 1,000 for qualified category (500 individuals, 500 companies), 400 for open category (200 individuals, 200 companies). Open category is available to all Hong Kong permanent residents and Hong Kong registered companies; qualified category for individuals requires employed work or company establishment in Macau; companies must have Hong Kong/Macau registration or Macau-connected operations. | Online registration ballot from 2026-05-07 09:00 to 2026-05-20 17:15; successfully allocated quotas expected earliest from 2026-07-13 allow unlimited trips via the bridge to enter/exit Macau city; valid until 2029-07-12. |
| Hong Kong Quota Driver Eligibility | Designated drivers must be Hong Kong permanent residents holding valid Hong Kong full driver's license for private vehicles; after mainland filing, obtain temporary motor vehicle driving permit. Designated drivers aged 70 or above must hold a mainland motor vehicle driver's license. Individual quota allows up to two designated drivers, with the first being the applicant; company quota allows up to three, who must be company employees or directors. | Holders of Hong Kong full driver's license can drive/stay in Macau for up to 14 days without procedure; exceeding 14 days requires free registration with Macau Public Security Police Force Traffic Division. |
| Hong Kong Quota Vehicles and Documents | Before traveling on the bridge, Hong Kong private vehicles must complete Hong Kong Closed Road Permit, Macau Vehicle Border Crossing Permit, Vehicle Customs Electronic Tag (RFID), Mainland Temporary Entry Motor Vehicle Driving License, Mainland Compulsory Insurance, Macau statutory vehicle insurance, and other requirements from the three places. | Hong Kong Closed Road Permit: HKD 744 flat rate for 12-36 months; less than 12 months at HKD 62 per month. Macau Vehicle Border Crossing Permit: MOP 100; RFID free. Mainland filing and insurance charged at actual rates by respective organizations. |
| Macau Private Vehicle Quota for Hong Kong-Macau Travel | For Macau quota vehicles traveling to Hong Kong, designated drivers must be Macau residents holding relevant driver's qualification documents or special driving permits issued by Macau authorities. Each individual/company quota allows up to three designated drivers; vehicles must be Macau-registered private-use light passenger vehicles, not for paid passenger carrying. | Administrative procedures such as renewal or driver replacement commonly cost MOP 1,000; Macau quota vehicles must also hold CRP, ICP, Macau Customs Vehicle Border Crossing Permit/RFID, Mainland temporary plates, and valid insurance from all three places. |
| Macau Vehicle Documents for Hong Kong Entry | Macau private vehicles traveling to Hong Kong must apply to Hong Kong Transport Department for "International Circulation Permit" (ICP) and "Closed Road Permit" (CRP). | ICP maximum 12 months, free; CRP fees from 2026 at HKD 744, actual validity period based on quota and permit rules. |
| HZMB Main Bridge Tolls | The main bridge is located in Mainland waters, toll stations charge according to Mainland law. Small passenger vehicles (private cars, taxis): RMB 150 per trip; cash lanes accept RMB cash, bank cards, Alipay, WeChat Pay, Macau Wallet, UnionPay, etc.; non-stop electronic toll lanes use national standard ETC (YueTong Card). | Approximately HKD 173 / MOP 178 (based on reference exchange rate of 2026-05-10: CNY 1 ≈ HKD 1.152, MOP 1.186; actual posting based on payment channel exchange rate). |
| Driving Rules and Road Restrictions | The main bridge and Hong Kong connection road adopt "right-hand traffic" keeping to the right, opposite to general Hong Kong roads; no U-turns, fuel stations, gas stations, or restrooms along the bridge sections. | Before using the bridge, complete refueling, restroom breaks, and itinerary checks at Hong Kong Airport/Tung Chung or Macau urban areas. Inclement weather, low visibility, or incidents may trigger speed limits, lane closures, or bridge closure. |
| Vehicle Clearance and Customs | Vehicles using HZMB to enter/exit Hong Kong must clear customs at the Hong Kong Port vehicle inspection pavilion; Customs may inspect driver, vehicle, and cargo. Drivers and passengers entering Hong Kong must declare prohibited/restricted items and dutiable goods; drivers do not enjoy passenger duty-free benefits. | Hong Kong Port has private vehicle immigration inspection pavilions; large cash items or cargo must be declared in advance or on-site according to Hong Kong Customs regulations. Macau Port also requires processing of person and vehicle clearance according to Macau Customs and boundary control requirements. |
| Park & Ride (Non-City Self-Drive) | If Hong Kong vehicle owners do not wish to enter Macau city, they can apply for "HZMB Macau Port Park & Ride Program," drive to Macau Port East Parking Lot, then walk to complete immigration and transfer to Macau public transport. Maximum two designated drivers, with one being the applicant, must hold Hong Kong full driver's license. | Hong Kong application fee is fully free; must purchase required vehicle insurance for Macau and Mainland, plus actual Macau parking fees. Generally takes about 12 working days for processing by both local government agencies. |
| Golden Bus/Port Shuttle Bus | Hong Kong-Macau and Hong Kong-Zhuhai routes operate 24 hours; approximately every 5 minutes during peak hours, 10-15 minutes off-peak, 15-30 minutes late night. Passengers exit the port, board the bus at the departure platform, and after arriving at the other port complete immigration or transfer to city transport. | Priced in HKD from Hong Kong: Adult Day HKD 65, Concession HKD 33; Adult Night HKD 70, Concession HKD 35. Priced in MOP from Macau: Adult Day MOP 65, Concession MOP 33; Adult Night MOP 70, Concession MOP 35. |
| Other Public Transport Alternatives | Besides Golden Bus, cross-border buses, cross-border taxis, Hong Kong Airport/city connectivity to Hong Kong Port then transfer are available; Hong Kong Port local connections include B4 (Airport), B5 (Sunny Bay), B6/B6S (Tung Chung), and multiple A-line airport buses. | Cross-border bus and taxi fares vary by operator and destination; generally more expensive than Golden Bus but can reduce transfers or provide direct service to hotels/city areas. |
Self-Drive Application Process
Using the example of applying for the 2026 Hong Kong-Macau (City Area) Regular Quota for Hong Kong private cars, the first step is to determine which category of quota you belong to: If you are a Hong Kong permanent resident, the newly introduced open category for 2026 no longer requires that you must work or operate a company in Macau; If you wish to use the eligibility category, you must have been employed or operating a company in Macau before the ballot registration deadline. For company applications, you must verify whether the vehicle registration owner, Hong Kong registration, Macau registration, or connected company relationship meets the Transport Department's requirements. The second step is to submit the ballot registration through the Hong Kong Government One-Stop Portal during the designated period. For the 2026 eleventh batch, the registration period is from 2026-05-07 09:00 to 2026-05-20 17:15; Each applicant or company may only submit one registration across the four categories, and duplicate registrations will not be processed. Obtaining a registration number after completion does not mean approval has been granted—it only indicates entry into the ballot and assessment process.
After the ballot, the Transport Department will invite applicants in sequence to submit qualification documents, cross-border vehicle closed road permit applications, vehicle owner consent letters, designated driver consent letters, and regular quota application forms. At this stage, prepare the designated driver information: individual quotas allow up to two designated drivers, with the first being the applicant; company quotas allow up to three, who must be company employees or directors. All designated drivers must be Hong Kong permanent residents holding valid Hong Kong full private car driving licenses; since the main bridge section falls within Mainland waters, vehicles and drivers must also complete Mainland registration and obtain temporary driving permits. The third step involves processing vehicle licenses and insurance, including Hong Kong Closed Road Permits, Mainland temporary entry vehicle movement permits, Mainland Compulsory Traffic Insurance, Macau statutory vehicle insurance, Macau vehicle border crossing permits, and RFID. Open category applicants must submit Compulsory Traffic Insurance copies earlier, while eligibility category applicants generally purchase and submit upon Transport Department notification. After各自的政府审批后，申请人才正式成为配额持有人。首次出发前，仍须按澳门海关通知预约在澳门口岸申领及张贴车辆边境通行证与 RFID；未完成相关牌证、保险、备案和指定司机安排前，即使已中签亦不可自行驾车过桥入澳门市内。
The logic for Macau private cars traveling to Hong Kong is similar, but the main process is managed by Macau's Transport Bureau, OneHome/BizHub, Macau Customs, Hong Kong Transport Department, and the Mainland registration platform. Macau quota vehicles must be Macau-registered private-use light passenger vehicles, and designated drivers must be Macau residents holding Macau driving qualifications. Quota holders must ensure CRP, ICP, Macau RFID, Mainland temporary permits, and trilateral insurance all remain valid; during vehicle, license plate, or driver changes, the relevant vehicle or driver typically cannot use the quota for passage. In practice, applicants should view "quota, Hong Kong-Macau-Mainland permits, Mainland registration, trilateral insurance, customs RFID, and designated drivers" as a unified set of travel conditions—missing any single item could result in denial at the border crossing.
Non-Driving Alternatives
The most stable and accessible alternative is the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Shuttle Bus ("Gold Bus"). The Gold Bus operates two routes—the Hong Kong-Macau route and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai route—operating 24 hours a day; daytime hours are 06:00-23:59, while nighttime is 00:00-05:59. Fares from the Hong Kong port to the Macau port or Zhuhai port are priced in Hong Kong dollars: adults pay HKD 65 daytime / HKD 70 nighttime; concessionary fares are HKD 33 daytime / HKD 35 nighttime. Fares from the Macau port to Hong Kong are priced in Macau patacas: adults pay MOP 65 daytime / MOP 70 nighttime; concessionary fares are MOP 33 daytime / MOP 35 nighttime. Concessions typically apply to children aged 3 to 11 or under 1.2 meters in height, eligible persons with disabilities, and seniors aged 65 and above; children under 3 years old or under 95cm in height who do not occupy a seat travel free of charge. Regarding frequency, during peak hours buses run approximately every 5 minutes, every 10 to 15 minutes during off-peak hours, and roughly every 15 to 30 minutes during late night hours; the official guidance also indicates that normal waiting times are typically under 30 minutes.
If departing from Hong Kong city, travelers typically first take Airport Bus routes A, B4, B5, B6/B6S, a taxi, or the MTR to reach the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port. After completing Hong Kong departure procedures, they board the Gold Bus. Upon arrival at the Macau Port, they complete entry formalities and transfer to Macau city buses, taxis, or hotel shuttle buses. For those wishing to minimize transfers, cross-boundary direct buses or cross-border taxis are options worth considering; these services operate from Hong Kong city, the airport, or designated stops to Macau hotels/the Cotai area or Zhuhai, with fares and schedules set by the operators, typically higher than the Gold Bus but more convenient for passengers carrying luggage, traveling with elderly companions, or family groups. Another alternative is the Macao Port Park & Ride scheme, where drivers simply park their vehicles at the East Car Park of the Macao Port, and passengers then enter Macao and transfer to public transportation. This does not equate to obtaining a self-drive quota to enter Macao's urban area, but it is easier to secure than a full Hong Kong-Macau self-drive quota.
Main Sources
- Hong Kong Government Press Releases: May 2026 Batch 11 Quota for Hong Kong Private Vehicles for Cross-Boundary Travel between Hong Kong and Macau and Public Category.https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202605/01/P2026043000315.htm
- Hong Kong Transport Department: May 2026 Batch 11 Quota, Designated Drivers, Vehicle Licences, Fees and Application Procedures.https://www.td.gov.hk/tc/public_services/licences_and_permits/closed_road_permit_for_cross_boundary_vehicles/rqhptmb11/b11/index.html
- Hong Kong Section of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge: Driver's Guide, Main Bridge Tolls, Traffic Arrangements, 40-Minute Journey and Clearance Tips.https://www.hzmb.gov.hk/tc/notes.html
- Transport Bureau of Macau / Macao Government Portal: Macau Quota, Designated Drivers, CRP/ICP, RFID, Mainland Registration and Renewal Information.https://www.dsat.gov.mo/hzmb/car_cross_2025.aspx
- Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Shuttle Bus and Hong Kong Transport Department: Bus Frequencies, Schedules, Payment Methods and Hong Kong Port Connecting Transport.https://www.hzmbus.com/en/message.html?tab=1
- Exchange Rate Reference: Wise CNY/HKD and CNY/MOP Mid-Market Rates.https://wise.com/gb/currency-converter/cny-to-hkd-rate
Data Date: 2026-05-10
Data Sources / Related Verification
This article's data is compiled from internal FactcheckDocs (MO_datatable_交通費率_v3.md), referencing publicly available official materials from the MO region and industry documents. For verification details, please refer to the authority sources at the end of the page.
Frequently Asked Questions 常見問題
What are the toll rates for the HZMB?
RMB 150 per trip for small passenger vehicles, approximately HKD 173 / MOP 178. Cash lanes accept RMB cash, bank cards, Alipay, WeChat Pay, and Macau Wallet; electronic payment uses the Guangdong Tong card.
Do Hong Kong private vehicles need a quota to enter Macau?
Yes. The tenth batch in May 2026 offers a total of 1,400 quotas, divided into the qualified category (1,000) and open category (400). Application period runs from 2026-05-07 09:00 to 2026-05-20 17:15. Once approved, unlimited entries into Macau are permitted from 2026-07-13, valid until 2029-07-12.
What conditions must quota drivers meet?
Must be Hong Kong permanent residents holding a valid Hong Kong full driver's license; those aged 70 or above must hold a mainland motor vehicle driver's license. Individual quotas allow up to two designated drivers, while corporate quotas allow up to three.
What licenses and permits are required for Hong Kong vehicles going to Macau?
Hong Kong Closed Road Permit (HKD 744, valid for 12-36 months), Macau Vehicle Border Crossing Permit (MOP 100), RFID (free), Mainland Temporary Entry Motor Vehicle License, Mainland Compulsory Insurance, and Macau statutory vehicle insurance.
Are there any special driving rules on the bridge?
The bridge follows right-hand drive traffic with "keep right, exit left" – opposite to general Hong Kong roads. There are no U-turn facilities, gas stations, or restrooms along the way; refuel at Hong Kong Airport/Dongqing or in Macau city beforehand.
Macau Market Data: Key Statistics
Macau is the world's largest gaming market by gross gaming revenue (GGR), generating MOP 226.7 billion (approximately USD 28 billion) in 2024 according to the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ). This represents a full recovery to pre-pandemic levels, with 33.28 million visitor arrivals recorded by the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC). Macau's GDP per capita stands at approximately MOP 472,000 (USD 58,800), ranking among Asia's highest.
Macau operates as a free port with zero import duties on food, beverages, and electronics — a structural advantage making Japanese seafood, European luxury goods, and imported premium products more price-competitive than in Hong Kong (which levies 100% duty on spirits). The 55-kilometre Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge connects Macau to the Greater Bay Area in 40-50 minutes, positioning Macau as the premium consumption hub of the GBA's 86 million residents.
Macau holds 30 UNESCO World Heritage monuments and sites (inscribed 2005), the world's highest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants per capita (100+ establishments in the Michelin Guide Macau 2024), and 6 licensed gaming concessionaires operating 38 casinos. The gaming tax rate is 40% of GGR, funding approximately 80% of government revenue. (Sources: DICJ dicj.gov.mo; DSEC dsec.gov.mo; MGTO mgto.gov.mo; UNESCO whc.unesco.org)
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Macau unique as a travel and business destination?
Macau combines Asia's largest gaming market (MOP 226.7B GGR in 2024) with 30 UNESCO World Heritage sites and free-port status. As the only city in the Greater Bay Area with significant Portuguese-era heritage, Macau offers a unique East-meets-West experience, with over 100 Michelin-recommended restaurants and zero import duties on premium goods.
How many visitors does Macau receive annually?
Macau received 33.28 million visitor arrivals in 2024, according to the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC). The majority arrive from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia, with increasing numbers from Japan, Korea, and Europe following the easing of travel restrictions.
What is Macau's economic profile?
Macau's GDP per capita is approximately MOP 472,000 (USD 58,800), placing it among Asia's wealthiest economies. Gaming revenue accounts for approximately 80% of government income, with the DICJ reporting MOP 226.7 billion in GGR for 2024. The Macau government maintains zero public debt and substantial fiscal reserves.
What are the best areas to explore in Macau?
Macau Peninsula contains most of the UNESCO World Heritage sites including the Ruins of St. Paul's, Senado Square, and A-Ma Temple. Taipa Village offers authentic local dining and the Taipa Houses Museum. Cotai Strip (reclaimed land between Taipa and Coloane) houses major integrated resorts. Coloane is known for its beaches, Hac Sa Beach, and traditional Macanese cuisine.
How does Macau's free port status benefit consumers?
As a free port, Macau levies zero import duties on most goods including food, beverages, electronics, and luxury items. This makes imported Japanese seafood, European wines, and premium consumer goods significantly more affordable than in neighbouring Hong Kong (which applies 100% duty on spirits) or mainland China. The Macau Customs Service (Alfândega de Macau) maintains this free-trade status as a constitutional guarantee.
