The Transport Department on Friday announced that motorists driving to the mainland under the "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" (NBT) scheme will no longer need to apply for a closed road permit from October 13.

The same arrangement also applies to vehicles under the "Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Macau Port Park-and-Ride" scheme and the "Shenzhen Bay Ad Hoc Quotas for Cross Boundary Private Cars" scheme, which will take effect on October 20.

A closed road permit costs HK$540 to renew every year, and vehicles are typically required to display it while passing through closed roads connecting various control points.

The department expects more than 100,000 cars to benefit from the exemption.

"Upon receipt of the 'electronic approval letters' issued by the Transport Department, [drivers] can proceed to book their trips online or travel directly on days with no bookings required. This new arrangement will provide more convenience and attract more people to apply for NBT, enhancing their travel experience," a department spokesman said.