Arrangement to avoid pre-Budget queues at TD Licensing Offices

To reduce the long queues appearing at Transport Department's Licensing Offices before the Budget Day as in previous years, the Commissioner for Transport, Mr Robert Footman, announced today (February 28) that a new arrangement for the renewal of expiring and expired vehicle licences and driving licences has been put in place this year.

"The new arrangement removes the need for holders of eligible vehicle and driving licences to rush to Transport Department counters to have their licences renewed on speculation that these licence fees may be increased in the coming Budget," Mr Footman said.

"The arrangement is solely made to deal with the problem of long queues. The contents of the Budget are a separate question on which this department has no information," he added.

Because such licences can be renewed up to four months in advance of expiry, the arrangement is as follows -

	All vehicle licences eligible for renewal on or before Budget Day (March 7, 2001), i.e. those with expiry dates falling on or before July 6, 2001 and for vehicles registered at the time of renewal, can be renewed at the present rate, whether for four months or 12 months, at any time up to and including July 6, 2001.
	All full Hong Kong driving licences eligible for renewal on or before Budget Day (March 7, 2001), i.e. those with expiry dates falling on or before July 6, 2001 and those which have expired for less than three years at the time of renewal up to July 6, 2001, can be renewed at the present rate at any time up to and including July 6, 2001.
	The arrangement above applies only to renewal of expiring and expired vehicle or driving licences. It does not apply to any other licensing services.

These measures aim at discouraging holders of driving and vehicle licences from queuing at Transport Department's counters in the few days to Budget Day on March 7.

Last year, over 40,000 vehicle licences were renewed during the three days before Budget announcement, about five times the normal number. This had resulted in long queues, with waiting times lengthening from the normal 30-60 minutes to 2.5-4 hours in crowded surroundings. This had also caused crowd control and potential safety problems, resulted in deteriorated service quality for the public, and exerted tremendous pressure on staff.

Transport Department is actively exploring alternative means to improve and increase outlets for the delivery of licensing services, including the issue and renewal of licences through electronic means. At present, applications for renewal of vehicle and driving licences can be made on-line, through personal computers and public kiosks under the Electronic Service Delivery scheme. Applications may also be made by post. The public is encouraged to renew their licences through these channels.

End/Wednesday, February 28, 2001