The government on Thursday unveiled a bill to regular ride-hailing services which would allow the use of older vehicles.

According to a planned regulatory framework introduced by the Transport and Logistics Bureau in July, participating vehicles must not be in use for more than seven years.

Under the Road Traffic (Amendment) (Ride-hailing Service) Bill 2025 that will be gazetted on Friday, vehicles must be less than 12 years old to obtain or renew a licence.

The bureau said the bill aims to give the public safer, legal and more diverse travel choices, while ensuring fair competition and orderly development of the point-to-point transport sector.

Drivers, vehicles and platforms will be required to obtain a licence under the proposal.

Companies running ride-hailing platforms must meet strict entry requirements, including being registered in Hong Kong, proving financial capacity, showing operational experience, and meeting director qualification standards. They must also ensure reliable service and carry out proper checks on their drivers and vehicles.

Drivers, meanwhile, must be at least 21 years old, hold a Hong Kong permanent identity card, have no serious traffic convictions in the past five years, and pass a government test.

Authorities expect the first licensed platforms to begin operating as soon as the fourth quarter of next year.

The Road Traffic (Amendment) (Ride-hailing Service) Bill 2025 will be tabled for first and second reading at the Legislative Council next week.