Hong Kong court quashes government decision to refuse permits to 2 Uber drivers

High Court deems Commissioner for Transport’s rejection of applicants in 2018 to be based on ‘impractical, illogical and unworkable’ premise

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The High Court in Admiralty. Photo: Warton Li

Published: 5:20pm, 3 Jul 2025Updated: 11:44pm, 3 Jul 2025

A Hong Kong court has quashed a government decision to refuse hire car permits to two prospective Uber drivers seven years ago, rejecting authorities’ contentions that the move could open the floodgates for ride-hailing services and private vehicles to operate as “pseudo-taxis”.

In a written judgment handed down on Thursday, the High Court found that the commissioner for transport’s dismissal of two litigants’ requests for a permit in 2018 to be based on an “impracticable, illogical and unworkable” interpretation of the legal requirement that would likely render all first-time applications unsuccessful.

The court also dismissed the government’s argument that the legislature had only intended for taxis to provide personalised point-to-point journeys, ruling that it would effectively impose a categorical ban on ride-hailing operators and run contrary to authorities’ clear assurance that they would not be excluded from providing point-to-point services.

Mr Justice Russell Coleman ordered the Transport Tribunal to consider the matter afresh, but noted his ruling “would be practically determinative” of the applications for a permit in the applicants’ favour.

He stressed the judgment only concerned the correct interpretation of the law governing the issuance of hire car permits and not the government’s policy on e-hailing platforms.

The government is currently considering legalising Uber and other ride-hailing services by introducing a regulatory framework amid popular demand and complaints against poor taxi services.

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Hong Kong court quashes government decision to refuse permits to 2 Uber drivers

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}High Court deems Commissioner for Transport’s rejection of applicants in 2018 to be based on ‘impractical, illogical and unworkable’ premise

High Court deems Commissioner for Transport’s rejection of applicants in 2018 to be based on ‘impractical, illogical and unworkable’ premise