🇭🇰 Hong Kong Guides
Buying a Car in HK: The Parking RealitySelling Your Car When Leaving Hong KongFirst Registration Tax Explained for ExpatsHong Kong Parking CostsTunnel Tolls ExplainedOpening a Bank Account in Hong KongCar Insurance for Hong Kong ExpatsConverting Your Driving Licence in HK🇸🇬 SG Guides →Hong Kong Car Guides for Expats
FRT, tunnel tolls, EV concessions and more — plain-English guides written by expats who've navigated it. Get the free PDF guide.
First Registration Tax (FRT) Rates — Feb 2024
First HK$150,000
46%
e.g. $150k car → $69k FRT
Next HK$150,000
86%
Cumulative from $150k–$300k
Next HK$200,000
115%
Cumulative from $300k–$500k
Remainder
132%
Everything above $500k
EV Concession: The private-EV FRT concession ended on 31 March 2026 and was not extended — private electric cars first registered on or after 1 April 2026 pay the full standard bands above. Waivers continue for commercial EVs, electric motorcycles and electric motor tricycles until 31 March 2028.
Getting Started
GUIDE 01
Should I Get a Car?
HK has world-class public transport — but a car still makes sense for some expats. Here's how to decide.
GUIDE 02
Buying Guide
FRT, first registration, and the full process of buying a car in Hong Kong.
GUIDE 03
Leasing Guide
Corporate leasing vs personal lease — pros, cons, and what actually works for expats.
Costs & Finance
GUIDE 04
FRT Explained
First Registration Tax is the biggest cost on any new car. Here's exactly how it's calculated.
GUIDE 05
Insurance Guide
Third-party vs comprehensive, NCD transfers, and getting a fair quote as an expat.
GUIDE 06
Petrol Prices 2026
What petrol actually costs in Hong Kong in 2026 — pump prices, the fuel-duty picture, and how to budget.
Ownership & Lifestyle
GUIDE 07
EV Guide
EV incentives, charging infrastructure, and the best EV choices in Hong Kong.
GUIDE 08
Licence Conversion
Convert your foreign driving licence to a Hong Kong one — who qualifies and how.
GUIDE 09
MOT & Maintenance
Statutory inspection schedule, trusted workshops, and keeping maintenance costs down.
GUIDE 10
Selling Your Car
Leaving HK? A six-week countdown for selling your car — dealer vs private, TD forms, and timing.
Tools & Services
In-Depth Articles
Buying & Selling
▸Buying a Car in HK: The Parking RealityHow first registration tax turns a HK$200k car into HK$312k, plus the real monthly cost of running it.Read →▸Selling Your Car When Leaving Hong KongA six-week exit plan for departing expats — dealer vs private vs auction, TD forms, the export route and the insurance gap.Read →
Running Costs
▸First Registration Tax Explained for ExpatsFour bands from 46% to 132%, worked examples, and why the EV concession has ended.Read →▸Hong Kong Parking CostsHK$1,500–3,500 in Sai Kung, HK$4,500–7,500 in Mid-Levels, HK$6,000–12,000 in Central. The full district-by-district breakdown.Read →▸Tunnel Tolls ExplainedHK$20–25 off-peak, HK$40 at the Cross-Harbour and Eastern crossings, HK$60 Western — plus monthly cost by commute route.Read →
Insurance & Licensing
▸Car Insurance for Hong Kong ExpatsHK$15–25k a year comprehensive, third-party minimums, NCD transfer from the UK, and the 30–40% expat loading explained.Read →▸Converting Your Driving Licence in HKHong Kong accepts UK and 30 other licences for direct conversion — the full list, application steps and fees.Read →
Your Guide
Patrick — Expat Car Adviser, Hong Kong
Patrick is the voice of the expat experience in Hong Kong — navigating FRT, buying, leasing and everything the official resources never explain clearly. His guides capture what expats wish they’d known from day one.
Patrick's Top Tips for Hong Kong
FRT is the killer cost — on a HK$600,000 car, you'll pay well over HK$500,000 in FRT alone. Factor this in from day one.
Don't budget for the EV FRT concession — it ended on 31 March 2026. It used to take up to HK$58,500 off a private EV (HK$172,500 under One-for-One), but a private EV first registered on or after 1 April 2026 pays full FRT. Run the EV-vs-petrol maths on the full tax figure, not the old concession.
Tunnel tolls add up fast if you cross between HK Island and Kowloon daily. Budget HK$2,000–3,000/month if you do this regularly.
Parking in Central or Wan Chai can hit HK$6,000–8,000/month. If your office is in the CBD, seriously reconsider whether you need the car on weekdays at all.