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I have a driving licence issued by Mainland China/other countries, can I apply for direct issue of full Hong Kong driving licence without taking a driving test?

Transport Department

The direct issue mechanism is only applicable to issue of non-commercial driving licences (i.e. licences for driving private car, light goods vehicle, motor cycle or motor tricycle).  A person who has a full driving licence issued by any one of the recognised countries/places (e.g. Mainland China)may apply for direct issue of a Hong Kong full driving licence of the respective vehicle class authorized to drive by the issuing country or place, without taking the driving test or passing through the 12-month probationary driving period.
 

Eligibility for Application

You must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible to apply for direct issue of a full driving licence –

  1. Aged 18 or above
  1. Hold an overseas driving licence issued by one of the recognised countries or places (e.g. Mainland China). Please refer to the following list for the recognised countries / places:
    List of countries / places (displayed in alphabetical order)
  1. The overseas driving licence must be a full driving licence (Note: Probationary driving licence or international driving permit are not acceptable); and the licence must be:
    • valid or has not expired for more than 3 years (from the date of application); and
    • obtained through passing of driving test held in the issuing country or place.
  1. Satisfy any one of the requirements listed below:
    • have resided in the overseas country or place of issue for a period of not less than 6 consecutive months during which the licence was issued; or
    • have held the licence for 5 years or more immediately prior to the application; or
    • hold a passport or equivalent travel document of the country or place in which the licence was issued.
       

Application Procedures

Form
Supporting Documents

Please produce the originals and copies of the following documents (Original or copy is accepted for address proof):

  1. Document of identity
    • Hong Kong residents: HK Identity Card/Passport
    • Non Hong Kong residents: Passport
  2. The overseas driving licence. An officially certified translation is required if the licence is in a language other than English or Chinese. Officially certified translation is available from -
    • Ambassador; or
    • Translators registered at the High Court; or
    • Translator of registered local translation agency, and the translator has to declare at the declaration office of the Home Affairs Office that the translation is true.
  3. Address proof (Original/Copy).
  4. If an applicant is aged 70 or above, a medical examination report form TD 256(PDF) completed by a registered medical practitioner within 4 months before the date of application submission.
  5. Documentary proof that the applicant satisfies one of the following requirements –
    • To prove that the applicant has resided in the overseas country or place of issue for a period of not less than 6 consecutive months: stamps on the passport, student enrolment documents, employment letter, etc. Applications will be considered on individual merits; or
    • To prove that the applicant has held the licence for 5 years or more: the overseas driving licence; or
    • To prove that the applicant holds a passport or equivalent travel document of the country or place in which the licence was issued: the valid passport or travel document of the country / place issuing the driving license
Means of Submission

In person to the Hong Kong (Queensway) Licensing Office. If handled by an agent, the agent should bring his / her identity document in original for record purposes.

Validity & Fee

For validity period & fee of driving licence, please click here

Payment Method

Fees are to be paid after an application is approved. Payment methods include -
1. Cash;
2. FPS;
3. EPS; or
4. Crossed cheque payable to “The Government of the HKSAR”.

Checking Application Result
  • Upon receipt of an application, the Transport Department will issue an acknowledgement to the applicant that on which date the application result will be ready.  The applicant or his / her agent may visit the Hong Kong (Queensway) Licensing Office in person on that date to check the application result, bringing along the required documents as stated in the acknowledgement.  If handled by an agent, the agent should bring an authorisation letter issued by the applicant, and a copy of the applicant’s identity document.
  • To check the progress of the application, please call 2804 2640 as per the acknowledgement.
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Last update: 21 Dec 2020
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