Government moves to tighten medical fitness checks for driving licences: annual health tests for commercial drivers aged 65 and up, stricter vision and reporting powers proposed

Table of Contents

  1. Key Highlights
  2. Introduction
  3. Why the Government is tightening medical fitness rules now
  4. What the proposed legislative changes would actually do
  5. What a modern medical fitness assessment looks like — and what Hong Kong might adopt
  6. How the assessment regime could be delivered: practitioners, capacity and training
  7. International precedents and lessons for Hong Kong
  8. Anticipated impacts on drivers and the transport industry
  9. Legal, ethical and privacy issues raised by expanded reporting powers
  10. Complementary strategies: technology, training and health programs
  11. Operational challenges and mitigation strategies
  12. What the timeline looks like and next steps
  13. Balancing road safety, fairness and livelihoods
  14. FAQ

Key Highlights

  • The Transport Department has proposed updating medical fitness standards for drivers, including revised vision criteria, new conditions that may prohibit driving, and extra items specifically for commercial vehicle (CV) drivers.
  • For CV drivers the age for mandatory medical certificates would be lowered from 70 to 65 and full licence validity would be cut to one year to require annual medical checks; the Commissioner for Transport would gain power to demand medical reports and suspend or cancel licences for non-compliance.
  • The Transport Advisory Committee supports the direction, while the Government plans to publish medical guidelines, refine forms after a trial health assessment, and present proposals to LegCo in the first quarter of 2026.

Introduction

The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) received a government briefing on January 28, 2026, outlining a suite of legislative changes aimed at strengthening the medical fitness certification regime for driving licence applicants and holders. The measures are focused on professional drivers of commercial vehicles, where age-related decline and medical events can have disproportionate consequences for road safety. The proposals include revised lists of disqualifying medical conditions and disabilities, upgraded vision standards, earlier and more frequent mandatory medical examinations for CV drivers, and expanded powers for the Commissioner for Transport to require medical reports and enforce licence suspensions or cancellations when safety concerns arise.

The proposals follow a trial health assessment and stakeholder consultations; the Government says it will table details, including a comprehensive set of medical guidelines and new examination certificates, to the Legislative Council’s Panel on Transport in the first quarter of 2026. The TAC’s chairman, Professor Wong Sze-chun, expressed support for a more robust assessment system that raises driver awareness of health issues and enables early treatment that can extend safe driving years and sustain industry operations.

The debate now turns to how these changes will be implemented in practice: what medical standards will apply, how assessments will be delivered and regulated, how industry impacts—especially on older commercial drivers and operators—will be managed, and how legal and privacy safeguards will be preserved. The remainder of this article explains the proposed measures, places them in a wider policy and international context, anticipates operational and legal challenges, and outlines what drivers and employers should do to prepare.

Why the Government is tightening medical fitness rules now

Hong Kong, like many advanced economies, has an ageing population and a growing share of older workers in certain sectors, including logistics, passenger transport and delivery services. Professional drivers typically spend long hours on the road and operate large or heavy vehicles; a sudden medical event or escalating impairment can trigger high-consequence collisions that harm other road users, passengers and pedestrians.

Authorities face two interlocking pressures. First, demographic change increases the number of older, often experienced drivers who may develop chronic medical conditions or sensory and cognitive declines associated with ageing. Second, professional driving remains essential to the economy; maintaining the ability of safe older drivers to continue working is both a public safety and social-economic consideration. The Government’s proposal responds to those pressures by aiming to identify drivers whose conditions impair safe vehicle control, and to detect remediable problems early so drivers can receive treatment and either continue driving under safe conditions or be transitioned out of duties that carry elevated risk.

The TAC briefing emphasized prevention: more frequent and targeted medical checks will raise drivers’ own awareness of physical changes and create early intervention opportunities. A captured quote from TAC Chairman Professor Wong Sze-chun stresses that annual checks for older CV drivers can prolong safe driving years and support the sustainable operation of the industry. That rationale underpins the core design choice to make annual fitness certification mandatory for older commercial drivers.

What the proposed legislative changes would actually do

The Government’s package breaks down into three main pillars: (1) updates to which diseases and physical disabilities disqualify someone from driving and higher vision standards; (2) more stringent certification requirements for commercial vehicle drivers; and (3) expanded enforcement powers for the Commissioner for Transport.

  1. Updating disqualifying conditions and vision standards
  • The legislative proposal would revise the list of medical conditions and physical disabilities that prohibit driving. While the government has not published the full list in the briefing note, the intention is to reflect current medical evidence and common causes of driving impairment. Examples commonly considered in such lists include uncontrolled epilepsy, significant cognitive decline, unstable cardiovascular disease, untreated sleep disorders that cause excessive daytime sleepiness, severe motor impairment, and vision loss that compromises the ability to detect hazards.
  • Vision standards will be updated. Visual acuity, visual field, binocular function, and contrast sensitivity all influence driving safety; the Government’s proposal notes upgraded vision standards but has not yet released the numerical thresholds or testing procedures. Additional vision-related items will be set out for CV drivers in recognition of their operating environments and vehicle sizes.
  1. Tightening requirements for commercial vehicle drivers
  • The mandatory age at which commercial vehicle drivers must submit a medical examination certificate would fall from 70 to 65. This lowers the threshold at which older professional drivers enter a regime of closer medical scrutiny.
  • The validity period for a full driving licence held by professional drivers would be shortened to one year, effectively mandating annual medical check-ups. Shorter licence validity forces yearly renewal and reassessment, rather than longer multi-year cycles.
  • The changes are explicitly targeted at CV drivers, reflecting the heightened risk they carry because of vehicle mass, passenger counts, or the professional nature of their work.
  1. Strengthening oversight and enforcement
  • The Commissioner for Transport would be empowered to require medical reports or information from any driver whose health conditions give rise to doubts about fitness to drive. This creates a statutory mechanism for follow-up investigations of suspected impairment.
  • Failure to comply with a request for a medical report could result in licence suspension or cancellation. The Government frames this as an enforcement backstop to manage drivers who refuse assessment despite credible concerns.

The Government told TAC members it has already run a trial health assessment and is preparing medical guidelines and new certificate forms. Those guidelines will be refined after considering stakeholder views and feedback from the trial.

What a modern medical fitness assessment looks like — and what Hong Kong might adopt

The Government’s announcement leaves the detailed contents of the new medical assessment to forthcoming guidelines. However, accepted medical practice for evaluating fitness to drive identifies several key domains. The likely components of Hong Kong’s updated examination, derived from international standards and occupational health practice, are set out below.

  • Vision testing
    • Visual acuity (distance and near): drivers need sufficient clarity to read road signs, assess speed and detect hazards. Standards typically state minimum acuity with or without correction.
    • Visual field: peripheral vision is essential to spot pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles approaching from the side. A restricted horizontal field can make lane changes and hazard detection unsafe.
    • Binocular function and depth perception: these support safe judging of distances when overtaking or manoeuvring.
    • Contrast sensitivity and low-light function: night-time driving and poor weather require more than basic acuity; reduced contrast sensitivity can increase crash risk.
    • Colour vision: total colour blindness is rare, but deficient colour perception may affect signal recognition in some circumstances; many authorities accept corrective measures or compensatory training where appropriate.
  • Cardiovascular assessment
    • History and examination for syncope (fainting), unstable angina or recent myocardial infarction. A sudden loss of consciousness at the wheel risks catastrophic accident outcomes.
    • Assessment of arrhythmias, uncontrolled hypertension and other cardiac conditions that can cause sudden incapacitation.
  • Neurological and cognitive assessment
    • Screening for seizure disorders and assessment of seizure-free intervals where relevant.
    • Cognitive screening to detect dementia or other disorders that impair attention, decision-making and executive function. Mild cognitive impairment may require closer monitoring or restrictions.
    • Evaluation of motor control and coordination, which influence steering, braking and pedal operation.
  • Metabolic and endocrine conditions
    • Diabetes control is a common issue. Hypoglycaemia can precipitate loss of consciousness. Assessments typically focus on hypoglycaemia history, awareness and glycaemic control measures in insulin-treated drivers.
  • Sleep disorders and fatigue
    • Obstructive sleep apnoea causes excessive daytime sleepiness and is overrepresented among drivers with collisions. Screening questionnaires, and where indicated, referral for sleep studies or treatment (e.g., CPAP) are part of modern fitness protocols.
  • Medication review
    • Many commonly used drugs affect alertness and psychomotor function. Medical guidance assesses whether a driver’s medication regimen poses unacceptable risk.
  • Musculoskeletal and mobility assessment
    • Conditions affecting limb function, range of motion, or strength can impede safe vehicle control; adaptations or restrictions may be required.
  • Mental health considerations
    • Severe psychiatric illness with acute symptoms or medication-induced impairment can be disqualifying until stabilized. Confidentiality and appropriate referral pathways are critical.
  • Functional and occupational testing
    • Beyond isolated medical tests, practical assessments of driving-related functions (reaction time, ability to perform emergency maneuvers) may be applied in borderline cases.

The Government’s trial health assessment and forthcoming guidelines will determine the exact combination and thresholds for Hong Kong. Standardisation of how tests are administered and interpreted will matter for fairness and consistency; the new certificate forms the Government plans to introduce aim to bring uniformity to reporting and decision-making.

How the assessment regime could be delivered: practitioners, capacity and training

Any expansion of mandatory medical checks for an entire occupational cohort raises immediate operational questions. Who will perform the medical examinations? How will quality and consistency be guaranteed? How quickly can drivers access appointments?

  • Medical workforce and accreditation
    • General practitioners and occupational health physicians are typically tasked with performing fitness-to-drive assessments. To ensure uniformity, the Government’s guidelines may require accreditation, training modules, or certification for physicians who sign medical certificates for driving licences.
    • A registry of authorised medical practitioners could be established, coupled with continuing education on the guidelines and reporting obligations.
  • Testing facilities and specialist referral pathways
    • Vision testing beyond simple Snellen charts (for example, formal visual field testing) requires equipment and trained technicians. For conditions requiring specialist input (neurology, cardiology, sleep medicine), the guidelines should specify referral criteria and turnaround expectations.
    • For annual assessments to be feasible, the system must scale to meet demand—public and private clinics may need to expand appointment capacity.
  • Waiting times and access equity
    • Mandatory annual checks will increase appointment volume. The Government and industry stakeholders will need to plan to avoid long waits that disrupt livelihoods. Options include phased implementation, longer transitional lead-times, subsidised assessments for low-income drivers, and use of mobile clinics or employer-arranged arrangements.
  • Standardised reporting and electronic records
    • New certificate forms will facilitate consistent reporting. Electronic submission and secure transmission to the Transport Department would speed processing and reduce administrative burden. Privacy safeguards and data security will be necessary to protect sensitive health information.
  • Cost and funding
    • Medical assessments carry direct costs that will be borne by drivers, employers or a mix of both. Policymakers will face pressure to mitigate financial impact on drivers, for example through subsidies, negotiated fees with clinics, or allowing employers to cover costs as part of occupational health obligations.

International precedents and lessons for Hong Kong

A number of other jurisdictions have implemented stricter medical fitness requirements for professional drivers, and their experiences hold relevant lessons. Rather than recite strict rules from single countries, the following themes emerge across mature regulatory systems:

  • Targeted frequency increases for professional drivers Several jurisdictions require more frequent medical checks for those who drive as their occupation, particularly for passenger-carrying vehicles or heavy goods vehicles. The rationale is that the potential harm from a sudden medical event in a bus or heavy truck is greater than in a private car.
  • Earlier age thresholds Some systems lower the age threshold for intensified checks to 65 or younger, recognising that age-related risks begin to accumulate before 70. Regulations balance the objective risk profile against the need to avoid arbitrary exclusion of safe older drivers.
  • Condition-specific rules Rules for epilepsy, for instance, commonly specify seizure-free intervals before driving is permitted (sometimes with additional medical review). Vision standards and diabetes guidance are also commonly specified with practical, measurable criteria.
  • Use of conditional or restricted licences Rather than blanket bans, many countries use conditional licences—such as daylight-only restrictions, speed-limited endorsements, or vehicle adaptations—to allow drivers with manageable impairments to continue working safely.
  • Medical certification and occupational health integration In several systems, occupational health frameworks and employer responsibility play a role. Employers of commercial drivers may be required to implement health checks, manage fatigue, and keep health records.
  • Emphasis on rehabilitation and remediation Policies aim to detect remediable conditions (untreated sleep apnoea, uncontrolled diabetes, vision correctable by surgery or lenses) and support drivers through treatment so they can return to safe work.

Instituting more frequent mandatory checks is operationally feasible but requires investment in administrative capacity, medical training, and stakeholder communication to avoid unintended workforce disruptions.

Anticipated impacts on drivers and the transport industry

The element of the Government’s proposal likely to generate most interest and concern among drivers and operators is the shortened licence validity and lowered age threshold for CV drivers. The practical and economic impacts include:

  • Increased administrative and medical costs for drivers Annual checks instead of multi-year renewals mean more frequent medical appointments and potential costs for tests and specialist referrals. For self-employed drivers or small operators, these costs are non-trivial.
  • Potential workforce friction and shortages If a significant share of older drivers are found temporarily or permanently medically unfit, operators could experience labour shortages. The sector already faces recruitment challenges in many markets; policymakers will need to consider transitional arrangements, retraining and incentives to attract or retain younger drivers.
  • Benefits for safety and industry sustainability Early detection and management of treatable conditions can prolong safe driving careers. By identifying drivers whose conditions are remediable, the measures can reduce crash risk while retaining experienced personnel.
  • Need for employer engagement Operators will need to plan for more frequent documentation, coordinate testing schedules, and possibly cover assessment costs. Large employers may be better placed than independent drivers to absorb these administrative tasks.
  • Stigma and workforce morale Enforcement powers that allow licence suspension for non-compliance could be perceived as punitive if not accompanied by clear communication, appeals, and support avenues. The Government’s publicity program will shape drivers’ acceptance of the changes.

The TAC’s support for enhanced measures is a signal to industry stakeholders to engage constructively in the rule-making process. The Government’s trial health assessment and stakeholder consultations are intended to identify operational pinch points and design mitigations.

Legal, ethical and privacy issues raised by expanded reporting powers

Granting the Commissioner for Transport power to require medical reports and to suspend or cancel licences for non-compliance is a substantive empowerment of the regulator. That authority raises questions about procedural fairness, medical confidentiality, and data protection.

  • Procedural fairness and due process Drivers must have clear notice of why a report is required, the process to comply, timelines and consequences of non-compliance. If a licence is suspended or cancelled, an independent appeals mechanism should exist that allows drivers to present medical evidence, undergo remedial treatment and seek restoration. Transparent guidelines specifying the grounds for action and the burden of proof will reduce perceptions of arbitrariness.
  • Medical confidentiality and data protection Medical reports contain highly sensitive personal information. The Transport Department must ensure secure handling, limit access to authorised staff, and comply with data protection law and medical confidentiality obligations. Public trust depends on clear protocols for storage, retention, and destruction of records, and on limiting use of health data to fitness-to-drive determinations.
  • Integration with other legal frameworks Decisions to suspend or cancel licences could trigger employment law consequences, insurance implications, and social welfare impacts. Coherent cross-agency coordination—between transport, health, employment and social services—would assist drivers who lose driving privileges because of medical issues.
  • Criminal liability and mandatory reporting by medical practitioners The proposals do not indicate whether medical practitioners will be legally required to notify the Transport Department about patients who are unfit to drive. Where mandatory reporting exists in other systems, it typically balances patient confidentiality against public safety, and often provides confidentiality protections and clear thresholds for reporting.
  • Appeal and review mechanisms A robust system includes a defined appeal process that allows drivers to request further assessment, present treating physician evidence, or obtain independent review. Clear timelines for appeals and interim measures (temporary permits, conditional licences) preserve fairness while managing safety risks.

Designing these safeguards will be essential to withstand legal challenge and maintain the confidence of drivers and medical professionals.

Complementary strategies: technology, training and health programs

Medical fitness checks address human factors directly. Complementary measures can further reduce crash risk and support older drivers in maintaining safe mobility.

  • Vehicle technology and adaptations Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot detection and adaptive cruise control, can mitigate the consequences of human error and compensate for some declines in reaction time or vision. For commercial operators, retrofitting or procuring vehicles with key ADAS features reduces the operational risk profile.
  • Occupational health and monitoring Employers can implement routine occupational health programs, including chronic disease management, sleep apnoea screening, mental health support and fitness-for-work protocols. Employer engagement reduces the regulatory burden by identifying issues early and managing remedial care.
  • Fatigue risk management Scheduling, mandated rest periods, and telematics-based monitoring of driving hours reduce fatigue-related incidents. Medical screening should be embedded within a broader fatigue risk management system for professional drivers.
  • Driver retraining and gradual role modification Where drivers are identified as having diminished capacity for certain tasks, alternative roles—such as yard operations, supervisory duties, or jobs with reduced driving—can preserve livelihoods while maintaining safety.
  • Public awareness and health promotion The Government intends to step up publicity so the industry is prepared. Health education campaigns and accessible guidance on how to prepare for medical checks, manage chronic conditions, and access treatment will ease transition.

Operational challenges and mitigation strategies

Turning policy into practice requires confronting foreseeable bottlenecks. The Government and industry will need to address several operational issues.

  • Scaling medical capacity Mitigation: accrediting a wide network of clinics, using employer-arranged assessments, and phasing in requirements to spread demand.
  • Standardising and training accredited medical practitioners Mitigation: mandatory training modules, online resources, and quality audits to ensure consistent application of guidelines.
  • Managing costs for individual drivers Mitigation: subsidies or employer cost-sharing, particularly for low-income or self-employed drivers; public clinic options for basic assessments.
  • Ensuring timely appeals and avoiding work disruption Mitigation: interim conditional permits, fast-track medical re-assessments, and clear timelines for processing.
  • Addressing the risk of workforce shortages Mitigation: workforce planning, driver recruitment drives, incentives for younger drivers, flexible work arrangements, and support for retraining.
  • Communicating changes clearly Mitigation: targeted outreach through driver unions, industry associations, trade media, and community centres; multi-language materials and on-the-road briefings.

The Government’s trial health assessment offers an opportunity to test and refine operational proposals, and to identify where targeted support will be necessary to avoid unintended consequences.

What the timeline looks like and next steps

The Government plans to report the results of the trial health assessment and the detailed legislative proposal to the Legislative Council’s Panel on Transport in the first quarter of 2026. Following that briefing, it intends to submit subsidiary legislation amendments to the legislature. The Transport Department indicated a desire to implement the new arrangements as soon as possible after legislative completion.

Key milestones to watch:

  • Publication of the full medical guidelines and the updated list of disqualifying conditions. These will determine the practical thresholds and testing procedures.
  • Release of the new medical examination certificates and instructions for authorised medical practitioners.
  • Regulatory consultations and any legislative committee debates in LegCo, where stakeholders can propose refinements.
  • Timing of the requisite subsidiary legislation and the commencement date for the new rules, including any transitional arrangements for drivers approaching the previous age threshold or licence expiry.
  • Publicity and training programs for medical practitioners, drivers and employers.

Practical advice for drivers and operators while the process unfolds:

  • Stay informed: follow Transport Department announcements and industry association communications for details on the new guidance and the timing of implementation.
  • Get a baseline health check: drivers—especially those aged 60 and above—should consider a comprehensive health review now to identify treatable conditions and document any stable medical management that would support continued licensure.
  • Employers should audit their workforce: identify drivers nearing the 65 threshold, plan for scheduling examinations, and budget for potential increased medical and administrative costs.
  • Medical practitioners should seek guidance: clinicians likely to perform assessments should familiarise themselves with the trial findings and be ready for forthcoming training and accreditation requirements.

Balancing road safety, fairness and livelihoods

The Government’s proposals aim to strike a balance: reduce the risk that medical impairment poses on the roads while preserving the mobility and livelihoods of drivers through early detection and remediation. The approach focuses on the higher stakes associated with commercial driving and uses age-based triggers to intensify oversight.

The final design will be judged on several criteria:

  • Does it measurably reduce the incidence of medical-impairment-related crashes?
  • Are the medical tests evidence-based, proportionate and consistently applied?
  • Do procedural safeguards protect drivers’ rights and medical privacy?
  • Are practical measures in place to prevent disproportionate disruption to the workforce and to support drivers who are treatable?

The TAC’s endorsement and the Government’s trial work indicate an intention to shepherd the reforms through stakeholder engagement. The effectiveness of that process—particularly how the Department addresses capacity constraints, costs, and appeals—will shape the reforms’ real-world outcomes.

FAQ

Q: Who will be affected by the new rules? A: The primary targets are commercial vehicle (CV) drivers. The Government proposes lowering the mandatory medical certificate age from 70 to 65 for CV drivers and shortening full licence validity for those drivers to one year. Broader updates to disqualifying medical conditions and vision standards would affect all driving licence applicants and holders where those specific conditions apply.

Q: When will the changes take effect? A: The Government planned to present trial results and the legislative proposal to the Legislative Council’s Panel on Transport in the first quarter of 2026. Subsequent timing for implementation will depend on the passage of subsidiary legislation and any transitional arrangements set by LegCo. The Transport Department has stated its intent to implement the new arrangements as soon as practicable following legislative completion.

Q: What medical conditions could prohibit driving under the proposed changes? A: The Government intends to update the list of disqualifying diseases and disabilities to reflect current medical evidence. Typically, prohibiting conditions include uncontrolled epilepsy with recent seizures, significant cognitive impairment, unstable cardiovascular conditions associated with syncope, severe uncorrected vision loss, untreated severe sleep apnoea leading to excessive daytime sleepiness, and other conditions where sudden incapacity is likely. Exact details will be contained in the forthcoming medical guidelines.

Q: What will the vision standards require? A: The briefing indicates upgraded vision standards for applicants and holders, and additional vision-related items for commercial drivers. These typically concern minimum visual acuity, sufficient visual fields, and functional binocular vision. The detailed numerical thresholds and testing methods will be specified in the new guidelines.

Q: How often will commercial drivers need to have medical checks? A: For CV drivers, the proposal shortens full licence validity to one year, which would necessitate annual medical check-ups. The age threshold at which this requirement begins would be lowered from 70 to 65.

Q: Who performs the medical examinations and issues the certificates? A: The Government plans to issue a comprehensive set of medical guidelines and new certificate forms. The guidelines will likely specify which medical practitioners are authorised to perform the exams. Expect provisions for accreditation, training, or registration of practitioners authorised to sign certificates.

Q: What happens if a driver fails to provide a requested medical report? A: The Commissioner for Transport would be empowered to demand reports from any driver whose health gives rise to doubts about fitness to drive. Non-compliance with such a request could result in licence suspension or cancellation. Drivers should be given notice, an opportunity to comply, and access to an appeal process.

Q: Can a driver appeal a suspension or cancellation? A: The proposal includes strengthened enforcement powers but any fair administrative regime should include appeal and review mechanisms. The Government’s forthcoming legislation and subsidiary regulations are expected to set out procedural safeguards, timelines and appeals processes.

Q: How much will the medical checks cost? A: The Government’s briefing did not detail costs. Costs will depend on the scope of tests, whether specialist referrals are needed, and whether employers or government subsidies offset fees. Drivers and operators should budget for more frequent assessments if the proposals proceed.

Q: Could drivers with treatable conditions keep driving? A: Many conditions that initially compromise fitness to drive are remediable. The policy emphasis in the Government’s statement was on early detection and treatment to extend safe driving years. Conditional licences, requirement for treatment and monitoring, or vehicle adaptations are common mechanisms that allow drivers to continue working safely.

Q: Will the Government help operators or drivers with implementation? A: The Transport Department said it will step up publicity to prepare the industry for new requirements. The trial health assessment and stakeholder consultation aim to refine guidance and address operational issues. Specific financial or logistical support measures, if any, will be clarified as proposals move through LegCo.

Q: How will medical confidentiality and data protection be handled? A: Medical reports are sensitive. The Transport Department must adhere to data protection laws and medical confidentiality principles. The Government’s guidelines should specify secure handling, limited access, data retention and disposal policies. Drivers should inquire about data protection measures when undergoing assessments.

Q: Will private car drivers be subjected to the new annual checks? A: The announced tightening focuses on commercial vehicle drivers. Updates to disqualifying conditions and vision standards may affect private licence holders where specific conditions apply, but the annual check requirement as described applies to CV drivers once the proposals are enacted.

Q: What practical steps should drivers take now? A: Drivers—especially those aged 60 or older—should obtain a current baseline health review, document stable management of chronic conditions, and ensure corrective measures (e.g., glasses for vision) are up to date. Employers should audit driver rosters and plan for certification scheduling. Medical practitioners should prepare for potential accreditation or training when guidelines are finalised.

Q: Where can I find the Government’s detailed guidance once it is published? A: The Transport Department will publish the medical guidelines and new certificate forms when finalised. The Government will report to the LegCo Panel on Transport and make subsidiary legislation available through official channels. Industry associations, unions and major employers will also share guidance to help members comply.

Answers in this FAQ summarise the Government’s January 28, 2026 briefing to the Transport Advisory Committee and describe likely operational implications. Final legal obligations and technical standards will be determined by the forthcoming medical guidelines and LegCo-approved subsidiary legislation. Keep an eye on official Transport Department announcements and industry notices for the exact rules and implementation dates.

RELATED ARTICLES