Commercial Vehicle Licences, Braking Distance and Speed 商用車輛的駕駛執照、剎車距離及車速
Most of the rules the Road Users' Code sets for drivers also apply to commercial vehicle drivers. You must hold a valid driving licence for the class of commercial vehicle you drive. Taxi drivers and operators must also follow additional rules, and details are available from any Licensing Office of the Transport Department.
To apply for a driving licence of the relevant commercial vehicle class, you must be aged at least 21 and must not have been convicted of dangerous driving causing death (or grievous bodily harm), drink driving or drug driving within the 5 years immediately before applying. Since 1 October 2020, you must have held a valid private car or light goods vehicle full driving licence for at least 1 year, or have obtained that full licence after completing the probationary driving period.
In general, the heavier the vehicle, the longer the braking distance. A heavy vehicle may need twice the braking distance of a car, so keep a longer distance from the vehicle in front.
The maximum speed limit is 70 km/h for medium and heavy goods vehicles and for buses, and 80 km/h for public light buses. If the limit for the road is lower, the lower limit applies. On an expressway with three or more lanes open, the right-most lane must not be used by medium and heavy goods vehicles, buses, recovery vehicles, motor vehicles towing a trailer or another vehicle, or light goods vehicles driven by probationary licence holders, unless they are heading for a right side exit. Public light buses must not enter an expressway at all unless authorised in writing.
Carrying Passengers and Using Bus Lanes 接載乘客及使用巴士線
Buses, coaches and public light buses are subject to additional rules in the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations and in the conditions of the passenger service licence. If you are employed to drive a public service vehicle, ask your employer which rules apply to you.
Stopping or changing speed or direction must not put your passengers or other vehicles at risk. After picking up passengers, do not move off until they are properly seated or, if standing is allowed, until they have grasped a secure handrail or hand-hold. Passengers may change seats or move towards the exit while the vehicle is moving, so drive smoothly and gradually.
Check the conditions near the doors carefully before opening or closing them, so that passengers are not trapped. Do not open the door or allow passengers to get on or off while the vehicle is in motion.
Bus lanes are for buses only, and a franchised bus lane is for franchised buses only. Cyclists are permitted to use a bus lane, so give them plenty of room when overtaking and be prepared for sudden sideways movements. Pedestrians may step into the lane unexpectedly, and other drivers may enter it to reach premises or take evasive action. If traffic in the normal lanes is slow or stationary, look out for pedestrians or motor cycles emerging from gaps between vehicles.
Goods Vehicles and Loads 貨車及載貨規則
Goods vehicle passengers, including work crew, must be carried only on properly provided and secured seats, not on loads or in the load-carrying part. Loads must be properly secured and covered if necessary, and the vehicle should be kept clean, for example by washing mud off the tyres before leaving a construction site. You must not smoke in or near a vehicle carrying inflammable or explosive goods. Use a reversing video device (RVD), if fitted, when reversing, and switch on the auxiliary illumination in low light.
You must not drive an overloaded vehicle, meaning one that exceeds its permitted gross vehicle weight or maximum permitted axle weight. Overloading affects the brakes, suspension and steering and makes the vehicle difficult to control. These weights include the vehicle, passengers and load, and for a goods vehicle they are shown on the vehicle licence or marked on both sides of the vehicle. You must not carry or support a load on the tailgate or allow any load to touch the roadway.
A load must not extend more than 1.5 metres beyond the front or 1.4 metres beyond the rear, and the overall width, including the load and vehicle, must not exceed 2.5 metres. The vehicle with its load must also not be higher than the overall height specified in the regulations, for example 3.5 metres for a light goods vehicle and 4.6 metres for a medium or heavy goods vehicle. With an overhanging load, you must show a red flag of at least 1 square metre at the rear extremity in daytime with good visibility. During the hours of darkness or in poor visibility, you must show a white light ahead at each side of the front of the load and a red light to the rear.
If a load falls or spills, stop in a safe place and try to deal with it if it is safe and practicable to do so. If you cannot clear it quickly and safely, try to warn other road users and fetch help. On major trunk roads and expressways, in tunnel areas and in control areas, use a mobile phone to inform the police or control centre, and never try to retrieve the fallen load yourself.
Long Vehicles, Towing and Traffic Restrictions 長車、拖車及交通限制
A long vehicle may not be able to keep within the normal traffic lane, particularly on narrow lanes or tight curves. Before an unusual manoeuvre, look out for pedestrians, motorcyclists or cyclists who may enter the swept path of your vehicle or one of your blind spots. On leaving a junction, stay in lane until you are well past it. Before driving an articulated vehicle, make the usual safety checks and also confirm that all twist locks are fully engaged and that the container and trailer are properly connected to the tractor, including braking and electrical connections.
When towing with a tow rope or chain, the gap between the two vehicles must not be greater than 4.5 metres, and the rope or chain must be clearly visible to other road users. The towed vehicle must be under the control of a driver who holds a valid licence for that class and can brake and steer it properly. A proper ON TOW sign must be fitted to the rear of the towed vehicle, with white letters and characters at least 150 mm high on a dark surface.
Commercial vehicles may be subject to specific bans. If a ban applies to your vehicle, including any load, you must not drive past the regulatory sign or on the road to which it applies. Bans may concern width, height, length, axle weight or gross vehicle weight. A time plate shows when the ban applies, and an Except for access plate allows a vehicle to enter the restricted road to reach adjacent premises or land where there is no alternative route.
A bridge or other overhead structure may restrict the headroom available, and the restriction may be temporary because of construction works. A warning sign shows the maximum headroom on that part of the road. A Restricted headroom ahead warning sign may have a supplementary plate showing the distance to the restriction.
Practice
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