Driving licence in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Driving Licence issued by the Hong Kong Transport Department.

Driving licences in Hong Kong are issued by the Transport Department in Hong Kong. A full driving licence is usually valid for 10 years^[1] and is compulsory in order to drive a motor vehicle.^[2] Most driving licences are issued after the applicant passed a driving test for the respective type of vehicles. They may be issued without a test if the applicant is a holder of an overseas driving licence issued on passing a driving test by one of the approved countries.

Format

In Hong Kong, driving licence need to be use along with other identity document so it contain less information than most other counties. The current version only contain the holder's name, identity number (usually the same as HKID number), driving entitlements and date of issue.^[3]

Vehicle Classification Codes

• 1 Private
• 2 Light Goods Vehicle
• 3 Motor Cycle
• 4 Private Light Bus
• 5 Public Light Bus
• 6 Taxi
• 9 Private Bus
• 10 Public Bus
• 15 Invalid Carriage
• 16 Government Vehicle
• 17 Public Bus - Franchised
• 18 Medium Goods Vehicle
• 19 Heavy Goods Vehicle
• 20 Articulated Vehicle
• 21 Special Purpose Vehicle
• 22 Motor Tricycle
• A Class/Type of vehicle with automatic transmission

Probationary driving licence

After 1 October 2000, any person who applies to take a motorcycle or motor tricycle driving test is required to apply for a probationary driving licence upon passing the test. This scheme was extended to private cars and light goods vehicles in 2009. The holder of a probationary driving licence needs to undergo a 12-month probationary period. The probationary period will be extended by 6 months if convicted of a minor road traffic offence, and the licence will be cancelled if convicted of a serious road traffic offence.^[4]

Direct issue of a driving licence

As stated on the application form for direct issue of full Hong Kong driving licence,^[5] when a person has documentary evidence to the Commissioner's satisfaction that all of the following apply, the person is eligible to direct issue of a Hong Kong licence:

• One has a full driving licence (but not an International driving permit) during the past three years issued by one of the following countries or territories: Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Guernsey, India, Iceland, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa, Namibia, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States
• The driving entitlement(s) for which one is applying must be equivalent to the class(es) which are authorized to drive by the issuing country or place; and
• The driving licence was obtained by passing the relevant driving test(s) in the issuing country or place; and
• Satisfies one of the three requirements below:
  • The license was originally issued on any date during a period of residence of not less than 6 months in the country or place of issue (entry and departure stamps on a passport, school transcript or employer's testimonial with employment period specified are accepted as proof); or
  • The licence has been issued for not less than 5 years immediately before the application; or
  • Hold a passport or an equivalent travel document of the country or place in which the licence was issued.

References