Remember to renew your full driving licence

*******************************************

     Holders of full driving licences are reminded today (March 29) to renew their licences within three years after the expiry date.  They would otherwise be required to take the driving test again to obtain a new full driving licence.

     A Transport Department (TD) spokesman said that the validity of the 10-year full driving licences introduced in 1997 have been expiring since June 2007.  A driving licence shall not be renewed after three years of expiry according to the law.

     "Should driving licence holders fail to renew their full driving licences within three years after the expiry date, they will have to take the driving test again and to complete the probationary driving period before obtaining a full driving licence for private car, light goods vehicle, motor cycle or motor tricycle," the spokesman noted.

     "Furthermore, they will only be eligible to apply for a commercial driving licence two years after obtaining their full driving licence for private car or light goods vehicle."

     To remind licence holders to renew their driving licences in time, the TD will continue to issue reminder notices cum application forms to licence holders whose licences are due to expire in the coming months.  Also, the department will send reminder notices again to those whose licences are going to expire for three years but have yet to be renewed.

     Renewal applications can be submitted within four months before the licence expiry date or within three years after the licences have expired.  Holders of full driving licences can send the completed application form and the required documents by post or drop them in the collection boxes located at the TD licensing offices or the 20 designated post offices.  They can also renew their licences in person or by agent at the service counters of the licensing offices.  Licence holders with a unique password printed on the "Full Driving Licence Renewal Notice cum Application Form" or a valid digital certificate issued by recognised Certification Authorities may apply for renewal of driving licences online by logging on to www.gov.hk/drivinglicence .

     Applicants who wish to use the counter services at the licensing offices for renewal of driving licence are advised to make an advance booking by calling the 24-hour booking hotline 3763 8080, or through the Internet at www.gov.hk/tdabs .

     For details on the renewal of a full driving licence, please visit the TD website at www.td.gov.hk or call the department's hotline 2804 2600.  Leaflets are available for collection at the licensing offices and vehicle examination centres of the TD, post offices and district offices.

Ends/Monday, March 29, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:54

NNNN