TD takes measures to meet upsurge in driving licence renewals

The Transport Department today (March 8) announced measures to be taken to meet an upsurge in renewal of driving licences.

     Speaking at a press briefing today, Principal Executive Officer of the department Mrs Margaret Chan said the 10-year full driving licences issued by the department from 1997 would soon begin to expire. It was expected that about 1.3 million driving licences would be due for renewal between 2007 and 2009.

     She urged the holders of full driving licences to check when their licences would expire and to renew them as soon as possible.

     Driving licences can be renewed within four months before the expiry of the current licence. Those who want to retain their driving qualification but do not need to drive can renew their licence within three years after the licence has expired.

     Mrs Chan said the department was fully prepared for the large-scale renewal exercise. Application for renewal can be made by post, by drop box, in person or by agent at the licensing offices of the department or via the Internet (at http://www.gov.hk/drivinglicence).

     She said the department encouraged applicants to submit their application form by post, or into the drop boxes at the department’s licensing offices or in 20 drop-boxes located at post offices in 18 districts of Hong Kong.

     Applicants can put the completed form, together with a copy of the identity document and a cheque for the required licence fee, into the drop boxes (no postage is required). Applicants can also put the applications for change in personal particulars (including the address) into these drop-boxes if they wish to inform the department of any change.

     Applicants wishing to renew their driving licences at the department’s licensing offices are advised to make advance booking of counter services by dialling the 24-hour booking hotline (Tel: 3763 8080) or making an appointment through Internet at http://www.gov.hk/tdabs.   The department will also set aside some time slots at each licensing office to cater for “walk-in” applicants, but the slots are limited.

     “We advise applicants, who want to save time on queuing at licensing offices or who have not been allocated with counter service slots to use drop-box, postal services or through the Internet for licence renewal,” Mrs Chan said.

     “A Renewal Notice and Application Form will be sent to licence holders before expiry of their licences to remind them of the renewal as well as facilitating them to renew their licences,” she said

     Announcements will be broadcast on TV and radio, poster boards will be erected at tunnels, and notices stuck on parking meters to remind licence holders of the renewal.  Posters and leaflets (including the location of drop boxes) will be available for distribution at the department’s licensing offices, post offices and district offices.  Application form for renewal can also be downloaded from http://www.td.gov.hk.  For enquiries, please call hotline: 1823.

Ends/Thursday, March 8, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:37