3.     Driving in Hong Kong for Overseas Driving Licence Holders

For overseas driving licence holders who wish to drive in Hong Kong, they may do so through one of the following means-

(a)  Apply for a full driving licence by direct issue without test;
(b)  Apply for a temporary driving licence; or
(c) 

Driving on strength of their valid overseas driving licence or international driving permit if they are visitors to Hong Kong (visitors mean that they arrive at Hong Kong other than to take up residence for a period not exceeding 12 months).

3.1 Apply for a Full Driving Licence by Direct Issue without Test

3.1.1 Criteria

      
  • Hold an overseas driving licence issued by one of the countries or places as listed in Appendix C;
      
  • The overseas driving licence must be:
   
      
(a)  valid or has not expired for more than 3 years; and
(b) must be obtained through passing of driving test held in the issuing country or place;
   
      
  • The driving entitlement(s) applied for must be equivalent to the class(es) which are authorized to drive by the issuing country or place; and
      
  • Satisfy any one of the requirements listed below:
   
      
(a)  have resided in the overseas country or place of issue for a period of not less than 6 months during which the licence was issued (supporting documents include the relevant passport showing records of entry and department or an official statement of travel records, and school transcript or employer's testimonial with employment period specified, etc.); or
(b) have held the licence for 5 years or more immediately prior to the application; or
(c) hold a passport or equivalent travel document of the country or place in which the licence was issued.

3.1.2 How to apply?

      
  • Complete an application form TD63A ; and
      
  • Submit it to Hong Kong Licensing Office.

3.1.3 What to bring?

      
  • Hong Kong Identity Card (original and photocopy);
      
  • Relevant travel document (e.g. passport) (original and photocopy);
      
  • Relevant overseas driving licence (original and photocopy);
 
  • An officially certified translation of your overseas driving licence if it is in a language other than English or Chinese;
 
  • Supporting documents to prove the eligibility for the application as mentioned above and any other relevant documents as required by the Commissioner (original and photocopy);
 
 
  • Medical examination report form TD256 duly completed by a registered medical practitioner (applicable to a person aged 70 or above); and
 
  • Required fee (you may make enquiries at the enquiry counters of licensing offices or through 1823 Call Centre, refer to the licence fees table (TD341) at the licensing offices, or visit Transport Department's website for information).

 

3.1.4 What You Should Note?

    

Since the extension of the Probationary Driving Licence Scheme to private car and light goods vehicle on 9.2.2009, a person who has passed the relevant driving tests, is required to apply for a probationary driving licence, and upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month probationary driving period, is eligible for issue of a full driving licence for private car and/ or light goods vehicle.  According to the relevant ordinance, "direct issue" mechanism can only allow an eligible applicant with a full driving licence issued by any one of the countries/ places listed under Schedule 4 of the Road Traffic (Driving Licences) Regulations, Cap. 374B, to apply for a Hong Kong full driving licence of the respective vehicle class (motor cycle, private car and light goods vehicle).  The "direct issue" mechanism is not applicable to those who only hold a probationary driving licence, or equivalent.
      

Applicants meeting all the requirements for direct issue of a full driving licence would be issued with a Hong Kong full driving licence without passing through the 12-month probationary driving period.

3.2 Apply for a Temporary Driving Licence

3.2.1 Criteria

      
  • Hold a valid overseas driving licence of which the issuing country or place is NOT on the list in Appendix C;
      
  • Apply for a driving test within 3 months after the date of arrival in Hong Kong; and
      
  • Satisfy any one of the requirements listed below:
   
      
(a)  have resided in the overseas country or place of issue for a period of not less than 6 months during which the licence was issued; or
(b) have held the licence for 5 years or more immediately prior to the application; or
(c)  hold a passport or equivalent travel document of the country or place in which the licence was issued.
        
      
  • If you subsequently fail in any part of the driving test, your temporary driving licence will be cancelled immediately.

3.2.2 How to apply?

      
  • Complete an application form TD181 ; and
      
  • Submit it to Hong Kong Licensing Office.

3.2.3 What to bring?

      
  • Hong Kong Identity Card (original);
      
  • Relevant travel document (e.g. passport) (original);
      
  • Relevant overseas driving licence (original);
 
  • An officially certified translation of your overseas driving licence if it is in a language other than English or Chinese;
 
  • Other relevant supporting documents (original);
 
 
  • Medical examination report form TD256 duly completed by a registered medical practitioner (only for applicants aged 70 or above); and
 
  • Required fee (you may make enquiries at the enquiry counters of licensing offices or through 1823 Call Centre, refer to the licence fees table (TD341) at the licensing offices, or visit Transport Department's website for information).