Who is required to apply for a probationary driving licence? |
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Within 3 years after passing all parts of the motor cycle, motor tricycle, private car or light goods vehicle driving test, a person can apply for a probationary driving licence for the respective vehicle class.
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What should you pay attention to before applying for a probationary driving licence? |
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A probationary driving licence holder will only be allowed to apply for a full driving licence for the related class of vehicle upon satisfactory completion of the probationary driving period. If the day after the completion date of probationary driving period is a non-working day for the Licensing Offices of Transport Department, e.g. Saturday, Sunday or a public holiday, the probationary driving licence holder concerned can only apply for a full driving licence at Licensing Offices on any subsequent working day. Hence, if you must apply for a full driving licence on the day immediately after the completion date of probationary driving period, please count the days before applying for a probationary driving licence with a view to ensuring that the day immediately after the completion date of probationary driving period is a working day for the Licensing Offices.
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How to calculate the probationary driving period? |
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The probationary driving period for each vehicle class is counted from the date of issue of a probationary driving licence to drive that vehicle class. It does not include any disqualification period ordered by a court or any period during which a person does not hold a valid probationary driving licence. If a person's probationary driving licence to drive a vehicle class is cancelled under regulation 12I of the Road Traffic (Driving Licences) Regulations (Cap.374B), the period commencing on the issue of the probationary driving licence to drive that vehicle class and ending on the cancellation of the licence will not be included in calculating the probationary driving period.
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What is required of a probationary driving licence holder? |
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For the purpose of enhancing road safety, holders of probationary driving licences are subject to additional driving restrictions on top of existing ones applicable to ordinary motorists. Specifically, probationary driving licence holders are :
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(a) |
required to display "P" plate at the front and rear of the vehicle they are driving (in the case of a private car or light goods vehicle, display of the "P" plate on the windscreens is also acceptable, but the "P" plate must be displayed on the left-hand side of the windscreens);
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(b) |
not allowed to carry any passenger on the motor cycle or motor tricycle they are driving (applicable to motorcyclists only); |
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(c) |
not allowed to drive their vehicles at a speed in excess of 70 km/h, even if they are driving on roads with speed limit above 70 km/h; and |
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(d) |
not allowed to drive their vehicles on the offside lane of expressways where there are 3 or more traffic lanes. |
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