Hong Kong, China Special Administrative Region Imposes Vehicle Lighting and Speedometer Standards

Hong Kong, China Special Administrative Region has mandated that all motor vehicles must be equipped with two white light lamps visible from a reasonable distance during dark or poor visibility conditions, and must include an approved speedometer, as required by Chapter 374A^{1, 2}.

HONG KONG – VEHICLE SAFETY

Hong Kong Mandates Front Lights and Speedometers

Manufacturers and importers must equip vehicles with white front lamps and approved speedometers.

20 km/h Speed limit for exemption

What changed

Two front lamps emitting white light required for visibility in dark or poor visibility conditions¹.

Approved speedometer mandatory for construction and maintenance of vehicles².

Exemption for vehicles under 20 km/h or vehicles specifically for the disabled^{1, 2}.

Who it affects

Manufacturers must fit approved lights and speedometers during vehicle construction^{1, 2}.

Importers must ensure compliance before bringing vehicles into Hong Kong^{1, 2}.

Hong Kong — vehicle lighting and speedometer standards

Hong Kong, China Special Administrative Region has updated its vehicle safety standards to require that every motor vehicle, excluding those restricted to 20 km/h or vehicles for the disabled, must be fitted with two lamps capable of emitting white light to the front for visibility in low-light conditions and must include a certified approved speedometer as part of the vehicle’s construction or maintenance. These requirements apply directly to manufacturers and importers bringing vehicles into Hong Kong and are enforced under the Chapter 374A Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations^{1, 2}. The regulation establishes mandatory technical specifications for both front lighting and speedometer installation, ensuring compliance with road traffic safety standards^{1, 2}.

Front Lighting Requirements

Every motor vehicle must be equipped with two lamps capable of emitting white light to the front, visible from a reasonable distance during dark hours or in conditions of poor visibility, and must be installed in the specified manner and position as required by Chapter 374A. This regulation directly applies to vehicle producers and importers who bring vehicles into Hong Kong, imposing a mandatory requirement on the design and installation of front lighting systems¹.

Speedometer Compliance

Every car, except those prohibited by law from traveling above 20 km/h or vehicles for the disabled, must be equipped with an approved speedometer as required by Chapter 374A. Manufacturers or importers of such vehicles are obligated to ensure that each car complies with this requirement by fitting an approved speedometer in accordance with the regulations².

Sources

↩ elegislation.gov.hk — hk / cap374A https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap374A?xpid=ID_1438403119404_001&_lang=zh-Hant-HK
↩ elegislation.gov.hk — hk / cap374A!zh Hant HK@2025 09 11T00:00:00 https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap374A!zh-Hant-HK@2025-09-11T00:00:00