The queue ticketing system for driving licensing-related services will be implemented at the four Licensing Offices of the Transport Department starting from 13 March 2024 (Please click here for details). For driving licensing services and driving test applications processing over the counter, if no prior appointment has been made online or by phone, applicants are required to obtain a same-day queue ticket on-site before using the counter services.



3.     Driving in Hong Kong for Overseas Driving Licence Holders

For overseas driving licence holders who wish to drive in Hong Kong, they may do so through one of the following means-

(a)  Apply for a full driving licence by direct issue without test;
(b)  Apply for a temporary driving licence; or
(c)  Driving on strength of their valid overseas driving licence or international driving permit if they are visitors to Hong Kong (visitor means any person who arrives in Hong Kong other than to take up residence for a period exceeding 12 months).

3.1 Apply for a Full Driving Licence by Direct Issue without Test

Information icon 3.1.1 Criteria
      

(a) You have a full driving licence (not an International Driving Permit or learner's/ probationary driving licence) issued by one of the countries or places as listed in Appendix C, and the relevant full driving licence must be;
       (i) valid or has not expired for more than 3 years; and
  (ii) must be obtained through passing of driving test held in the issuing country or place;
      
(b)  The driving entitlement(s) for which you are applying must be equivalent to the class(es) which are authorized to drive by the issuing country or place; and
(c) You satisfy any one of the three requirements listed below:
   
       (i) the licence was originally issued to you on any date during a period of residence of not less than 6 months in the country or place of issue (supporting documents include the relevant passport showing records of entry and departure or an official statement of travel records, and school transcript or employer's testimonial with employment period specified, etc. Depending on the actual situation, applicants may be required to submit additional supporting documents for consideration of their applications. The required documents may vary depending on the situation of individual application.); or
       (ii) the licence has been issued to you for not less than 5 years immediately prior to the application; or
 

(iii) you hold a passport or equivalent travel document in the country or place in which the licence was issued.
Information icon 3.1.2 How to apply?
      
  •  Complete an application form TD63A (Digital/printed signature is not accepted. If the information provided in application form is amended, applicant shall sign next to the amended part for verification.); and

  • Submit it to Hong Kong Licensing Office (You can make an appointment for counter service through GovHK's website or by calling the 24-hour Interactive Voice Response System of the Appointment Booking Service at 3763 8080 to save waiting time. If no prior appointment has been made online or by phone, you are required to obtain a same-day queue ticket on-site before using the counter service (Please click here for details)).
      
Information icon 3.1.3 What to bring?
When you submit your application, please produce the originals and copies of the following documents:—
      
  • your Hong Kong Identity Card (if any)/Passport/other travel documents (original and photocopy); your Hong Kong Identity Card (if any)/Passport/other travel documents (if you meet the requirement in 3.1.1(c)(i) or (iii) above, you should also provide your Passport or travel document);
      
  • your Passport or other travel documents;
      
  • your overseas/PRC driving licence;
 
  • supporting documents to prove that you are eligible for this as application as mentioned in 3.1.1 above and any other relevant documents as required by the Commissioner;
 
  • where a document is not in Chinese or English, it must be accompanied by an officially certified translation
    (The following translation is acceptable:
    - Translation from the consulate of the country issuing the driving licence in Hong Kong; or
    - Translation from the official licensing authority issuing the driving licence; or
    - Translation by registered Hong Kong court interpreters who are not working in the Judiciary; or
    - Translation by a translator (not the applicant himself) of a registered local translation agency/private translator and the translator has to bring along with his/her identity document and relevant documents and declare the accuracy of the translation at Hong Kong Licensing Office of the Transport Department. For enquiries, please contact 2804 2600.);
 
  • Original Medical Examination Certificate (TD256) duly completed by a registered medical practitioner within 4 months from date of application to prove that you are medically fit to drive and control the class(es) of motor vehicle(s) to which your application relates (application to a person aged 70 or above);
 
  • Proof of present address (residential address and correspondence address) which is issued not more than 3 months from date of application (original or copy); and
 
  • Required fee (you may make enquiries at the enquiry counters of licensing offices or through 1823 Call Centre, refer to the licence fees table (TD341) at the licensing offices, or visit Transport Department's website for the latest required fee).

Notwithstanding that the documents and information required have been furnished, the applicants may still be required to submit further supporting documents and information in connection with the application(s) when necessary depending on the circumstances of each case.

 

Information icon 3.1.4 What You Should Note?
    

The "direct issue" mechanism is only applicable to private car, light goods vehicle, motor cycle and motor tricycle.

Since the extension of the Probationary Driving Licence Scheme to private car and light goods vehicle on 9.2.2009, a person who has passed the relevant driving tests, is required to apply for a probationary driving licence, and upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month probationary driving period, is eligible for issue of a full driving licence for private car and/ or light goods vehicle.  According to the relevant ordinance, "direct issue" mechanism can only allow an eligible applicant with a full driving licence issued by any one of the countries/ places listed under Schedule 4 of the Road Traffic (Driving Licences) Regulations, Cap. 374B, to apply for a Hong Kong full driving licence of the respective vehicle class (motor cycle, private car and light goods vehicle).  The "direct issue" mechanism is not applicable to those who only hold a probationary driving licence, or equivalent.
      

Applicants meeting all the requirements for direct issue of a full driving licence would be issued with a Hong Kong full driving licence without passing through the 12-month probationary driving period.

If the driving licence holder has any driving entitlement(s) obtained through "direct issue" mechanism, the reference no. of the driving licence concerned would begin with a prefix "DI".

If necessary, licence holder may submit written application to the Transport Department for issuing a letter certificating his driving entitlement(s) obtained through "direct issue" mechanism or completion of driving test(s).

During the vetting process, this Department may, depending on the content of the application, request applicant/ relevant person to bring along with his/ her identity document and any other required documents to the Hong Kong Licensing Office of the Transport Department to make declaration/oath. For enquiries, please contact the Licensing Section of the Transport Department at 2804 2693 / 2804 2600.

3.2 Apply for a Temporary Driving Licence

Information icon 3.2.1 Criteria
      
  • Hold a valid overseas driving licence of which the issuing country or place is NOT on the list in Appendix C;
      
  • Apply for a driving test within 3 months after the date of arrival in Hong Kong; and
      
  • Satisfy any one of the requirements listed below:
   
      
(a)  have resided in the overseas country or place of issue for a period of not less than 6 months during which the licence was issued; or
(b) have held the licence for 5 years or more immediately prior to the application; or
(c)  hold a passport or equivalent travel document of the country or place in which the licence was issued.
        
      
  • The temporary driving licence is applicable to private car and light goods vehicle only. If the holder of a temporary driving licence subsequently fail in any part of the driving test, the temporary driving licence will be cancelled immediately and the relevant holder cannot apply for another temporary driving licence.
Information icon 3.2.2 How to apply?
  • Complete an application form TD181 (Digital/printed signature is not accepted. If the information provided in application form is amended, applicant shall sign next to the amended part for verification.); and
  • Submit it to Hong Kong Licensing Office (You can make an appointment for counter service through GovHK's website or by calling the 24-hour Interactive Voice Response System of the Appointment Booking Service at 3763 8080 to save waiting time. If no prior appointment has been made online or by phone, you are required to obtain a same-day queue ticket on-site before using the counter service (Please click here for details)).
Information icon 3.2.3 What to bring?
When you submit your application, please produce the originals and copies of the following documents:—
      
  • your Hong Kong Identity Card;
      
  • your Passport or other travel documents;
      
  • your overseas driving licence
 
  • supporting documents to prove that you are eligible for this as application as mentioned in 3.2.1 above and any other relevant documents as required by the Commissioner;
 
  • where a document is not in Chinese or English, it must be accompanied by an officially certified translation
    (The following translation is acceptable:
    - Translation from the consulate of the country issuing the driving licence in Hong Kong; or
    - Translation from the official licensing authority issuing the driving licence; or
    - Translation by registered Hong Kong court interpreters who are not working in the Judiciary; or
    - Translation by a translator (not the applicant himself) of a registered local translation agency/private translator and the translator has to bring along with his/her identity document and relevant documents and declare the accuracy of the translation at Hong Kong Licensing Office of the Transport Department. For enquiries, please contact 2804 2600.);
  • Medical Examination Certificate (TD256) duly completed by a registered medical practitioner within 4 months from date of application to prove that you are medically fit to drive and control the class(es) of motor vehicle(s) to which your application relates (application to a person aged 70 or above);
  • Proof of present address (residential address and correspondence address) which is issued not more than 3 months from date of application (original or copy); and
  • Required fee (you may make enquiries at the enquiry counters of licensing offices or through 1823 Call Centre, refer to the licence fees table (TD341) at the licensing offices, or visit Transport Department's website for the latest required fee).

Notwithstanding that the documents and information required have been furnished, the applicants may still be required to submit further supporting documents and information in connection with the application(s) when necessary depending on the circumstances of each case.

Information icon 3.2.4 What You Should Note?

During the vetting process, this Department may, depending on the content of the application, request applicant/ relevant person to bring along with his/ her identity document and any other required documents to the Hong Kong Licensing Office of the Transport Department to make declaration/oath. For enquiries, please contact the Licensing Section of the Transport Department at 2804 2693 / 2804 2600.