[Road Trivia] How does Hong Kong deal with scrapped old cars?
♻️ Editor's Secret: How does Hong Kong deal with scrapped cars? Is the one-for-one exchange program a good idea?
1. What do you mean by "scrapped old car"?
"Scrapped vehicles" refer to vehicles that are no longer on the road and are being deregistered, sent for recycling or dismantling due to disrepair, serious damage, high repair costs, excessive emissions, legal requirements or voluntary abandonment .
Generally includes private cars, trucks, taxis, minibuses, buses, motorcycles, etc.
2. Hong Kong scrapping process complete guide
1. The owner decides to scrap the car
- If your vehicle is too old, has suffered a lot of damage, is not cost-effective to repair, cannot pass the vehicle inspection, or is ready to be replaced with a new one, you can choose to scrap it.
2. Notify the Transport Department to cancel vehicle registration
- You must apply to the Transport Department for cancellation of vehicle registration (Cancellation of Vehicle Registration ). Otherwise, even if the vehicle is no longer used, you will still be required to pay the license fees and liabilities.
- Complete the "Application Form for Deregistration of Vehicle" (TD184) and return it to the Transport Department together with the vehicle registration document and license plate.
- The Transport Department will cancel the license plate and officially register your vehicle as "out".
3. Arrange scrapping/dismantling/recycling
A. Directly to the approved scrap yard/scrap yard
- There are many approved vehicle recyclers/scrapping yards in Hong Kong that accept scrapped vehicles for dismantling and recycling of metals, parts and hazardous materials (such as air-conditioning refrigerants and batteries).
- Car owners can drive there themselves or ask a towing company to arrange transportation.
B. Participate in scrapping through the "One-for-One Program"
- If you are planning to switch to an electric car, you may want to consider using the government's "One-for-One Scheme" . Details are explained in the next section.
C. Certificate of Decommissioning
- The scrapping yard will issue a Certificate of Destruction , which the vehicle owner can use to cancel the vehicle, apply for a refund of unused license plate fees, apply for a one-for-one replacement program or for other purposes.
4. Environmental protection procedures
- In accordance with legal requirements, the car scrapping yard will first safely remove harmful substances such as fuel, air conditioning refrigerants, batteries, tires, etc. , and then separate metals, plastics and other materials for recycling.
- What can't be recycled goes to landfill or specialized disposal facilities.
3. Government regulations
- According to the Road Traffic (Vehicle Registration and Licensing) Regulations, scrapped vehicles must be deregistered, otherwise the license fees and insurance liabilities will continue to be calculated .
- Do not abandon your old car on the street or in illegal locations. Violators may be prosecuted and fined up to $50,000 and imprisoned for 6 months .
- Car dismantling yards must have a license and comply with the regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Transport Department to carry out dismantling.
4. "One-for-One Program": Detailed explanation of the discount for exchanging old cars for electric vehicles
1. What is the "One-for-One Scheme"?
- The official name is the " One-for-One Electric Private Car Scheme ", launched by the Hong Kong government in 2018 to encourage car owners to scrap their old cars and replace them with new electric cars , reduce pollution from old cars and promote new energy.
- Applicable to private cars only, not trucks, taxis, etc.
2. Eligibility
- Your private car must have been registered for at least 18 months and only one car can be registered under the car owner's name.
- When scrapping an old car, you must apply to purchase a new electric car at the same time and complete all procedures within the specified time limit.
- Old cars must be handed over to an approved scrapping yard to obtain a "Scrap Certificate".
- During the process, complete documents must be submitted to the Transportation Department and the Environmental Protection Department.
3. Get discounts
- The first registration tax exemption for new electric private cars is higher (much higher than for those who do not exchange for one for one), and you can save up to hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong dollars (depending on the price of the car).
- It will help reduce the burden of purchasing electric vehicles and attract more people to switch to other vehicles to reduce emissions.
4. Practical Steps
- Apply for the "One-for-One Replacement" scheme (EPD online/in person).
- Arrange for the scrapping of old vehicles and obtain a "Scrapping Certificate".
- Submit the cancellation and scrapping certificate to the Transport Department .
- Enjoy tax exemptions when purchasing and registering new electric vehicles .
- The new car is on the road and the old car is deregistered, completing a one-for-one replacement.
5. Notes
- Once an old car is deregistered and scrapped, it cannot be registered for use on the road again.
- All documents must be kept for easy verification.
- The plan is time-limited, please pay attention to government announcements.
5. Environmental protection and sustainable processing
- The metals from dismantled old cars will be recycled , plastics and rubber will be separated, and hazardous materials such as batteries and air conditioner refrigerants will be sent for professional disposal.
- Avoid illegal disposal, incineration, and unauthorized dismantling to reduce environmental pollution.
- In recent years, the government has strengthened supervision and promoted the circular economy, and has also implemented new recycling schemes for some parts (such as tires and glass).
6. Common Misunderstandings and Editor’s Tips
1. "Can I just sell it to a second-hand dealership instead of scrapping it?"
- If the car still has value and is roadworthy, it can be sold second-hand; however, under the "one-for-one" scheme, the car must be scrapped and cannot be transferred second-hand.
2. “Can I abandon my car and not deal with it?”
- Absolutely not! Abandoning a vehicle is illegal and will result in prosecution and towing. The vehicle owner bears full responsibility and fines.
3. “Is there any deregistration fee for a scrapped car?”
- Yes! You can also apply for a refund of the unused portion of your license fee when you cancel your registration.
4. Editor's suggestion
- Before changing your car, remember to compare new car discounts, estimate the time for the scrapping process, and make an appointment with the scrapping yard in advance.
- Keep all scrapping and cancellation documents for future proof if needed.
- If you want to apply for the "one-for-one replacement" scheme, remember to follow the guidelines and do not dispose of your old car indiscriminately.
VII. Summary
In Hong Kong, scrapping of old cars must go through the process of "cancellation of registration" → "handing over to an approved scrapping yard" → "environmentally friendly dismantling/recycling" . The entire process is regulated by law to ensure the safety of citizens and the environment.
The "One-for-One Scheme" is an important measure taken by the government to promote electric vehicles, phase out highly polluting old vehicles, and reduce emissions and waste .
Whether you are changing your car voluntarily, because it failed the vehicle inspection, or you want to reduce carbon emissions and be environmentally friendly, you must strictly follow the procedures and don't "abandon your car randomly"!
If you have any other questions about scrapping, replacing a car, environmental protection, or electric vehicle policies, please leave a message and ask me! I'll help you break it down one by one to ensure you have no worries when it comes to driving or replacing a car! ♻️🚗🔧
