Direct issue of Mainland small vehicle and motorcycle driving licences takes effect Jan. 1

Formal agreement has been reached between the Guangdong authorities and the Government of the Hong Kong SAR on the direct issue of Mainland driving licences for small vehicles and motorcycles with effect from January 1, 2004.

Under this new arrangement, Hong Kong residents holding valid Hong Kong driving licences can apply for Mainland driving licences at the licensing offices of the Guangdong Public Security Bureau. Mainlanders who hold valid Mainland driving licences may continue to apply for direct issue of Hong Kong driving licences at the Transport Department in Hong Kong.

Detailed arrangements for the direct issue of Mainland driving licences to Hong Kong residents are as follows:

Provided they meet the criteria set by the Mainland authorities, such as age and physical requirements, a Hong Kong resident who holds a valid Hong Kong driving licence for private cars (Code 1) or above is eligible for the direct issue of a Mainland Class C driving licence for small vehicles.

A Hong Kong resident with a valid driving licence for motorcycles (Code 3) or motor tricycles (Code 22) - excluding driving licence Code 3A and Code 22A - can be directly issued with the Mainland Class E licence for driving motorcycles.

A Hong Kong resident with a valid Hong Kong driving licence for vehicles with automatic transmission - excluding motor cycle (Code 3A) and motor tricycle (Code 22 A) - may only be directly issued with a Mainland Class Z driving licence for vehicles with automatic transmission and a maximum capacity of eight passengers.

Hong Kong residents who wish to apply for the above Mainland driving licences should apply in person at any licensing offices of the Guangdong Public Security Bureau and complete the following procedures:

The Mainland driving licences directly issued to Hong Kong residents are equivalent to those held by Mainlanders and are subject to the same daily administrative operations that apply to Mainland driving licences held by Mainlanders. Holders are subject to regular review by relevant Mainland authorities and should have their licences renewed accordingly. Holders must receive training on traffic regulations. They must obtain a Point Record Card and, once a certain number of points is recorded, the licence holder will have to take a driving test. The Guangdong Public Security Bureau licence-issuing authority will cancel the Mainland driving licence of a Hong Kong resident if the Mainland driving licence is found to have been obtained illegally, or if the holder fails without reasonable grounds to present himself to the relevant Mainland authorities within three months of committing a traffic offence or being involved in a traffic accident, or if the holder fails to attend the review of his Mainland driving licence for two consecutive cycles.

Applications for changes in personal data and supporting documents must be submitted to the licence-issuing authorities within 30 days of the changes taking place. If the physical conditions of the licence holder differ from the time when the application is made, or if the holder no longer meets the additional requirements listed on the application form, he should register the changes with the licence-issuing authorities within 10 days. If the residential area of the licence holder in the Mainland no longer belongs to a jurisdiction under the control of the original licensing office, he should apply to the licence-issuing authorities for a transfer within 60 days. Non-compliance will be subject to penalty.

If the Mainland driving licence is obtained illegally or cancelled due to traffic offences, the licence holder will be barred for two years from reapplying for a Mainland driving licence, and barred for five years from direct issuance of a Mainland driving licence. He can, however, obtain a Mainland driving licence after the two-year debarment period by taking a driving test.

The Transport Department will continue to directly issue Hong Kong driving licences for private cars (Code 1) to Mainlanders holding Mainland Class C driving licences; Hong Kong driving licences for private car and light goods vehicles (Code 1 and 2) to Mainlanders holding Mainland Class A or Class B driving licences; and Hong Kong driving licences for motorcycles and motor tricycles (Code 3 and 22) to Mainlanders holding Mainland Class E or D driving licences. As the Guangdong Public Service Bureau will issue Mainland Class Z driving licences to Hong Kong residents starting January 1, 2004, we will reciprocate by directly issuing Hong Kong driving licences for private car swith automatic transmission (Code 1A) to Mainlanders who hold Class Z driving licences.

Mainlanders may apply for the direct issue of Hong Kong driving licences at the Hong Kong Licensing Office of the Transport Department in Hong Kong. They should produce the following documents: valid Mainland passport, Home Visiting Permit or equivalent travel document; a valid Mainland driving licence; and a completed Application form for Direct Issue of Hong Kong Full Driving Licence. Upon verification of the authenticity of these documents, the Licensing Office will issue to applicants licenses that are valid for a period of 10 years (except in the case of drivers aged 60 or above) with a prescribed charge. The relevant legislation of the Hong Kong SAR shall apply to Mainlanders holding valid Hong Kong driving licences.

Applicants can find detailed information and download application forms at the websites of the Traffic Police Headquarters of Guangdong Public Security Bureau (www.gdgajj.com) and the Transport Department of Hong Kong (www.info.gov.hk/td).

For more details about the direct issue of Mainland driving licences to Hong Kong residents, applicants may also contact the Traffic Police Headquarters of the Guangdong Public Security Bureau at 86 20 83111536.

Ends/Monday, December 22, 2003