What should I do if I am owner of vehicle(s) unlicensed for two years or more?

Transport Department (TD) will not cancel the registration of vehicles for being unlicensed for a long time
The Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulation 2024 was passed at the end of 2024.  The legislation aims at enhancing the vehicle registration and licensing regime to heighten deterrence against improper abandoning of unwanted vehicles with strengthened control at the source. The new legislation requires vehicle owners, within three months after receiving a notice sent by the TD, to renew the licence of their vehicles that have been unlicensed for two years, or cancel the registration of the vehicles with the TD after scrapping the vehicle or permanently shipping it from Hong Kong. Failing to do so will constitute an offence. The unlicensed vehicles will continue to be registered under the name of the owner, who has to bear all the legal liabilities associated with that vehicle.

Check vehicle licence expiry date on the e-Licensing Portal
Vehicle owners may make use of the e-Licensing Portal (https://elicensingportal1.td.gov.hk/elpweb/Login) of the TD to check the vehicle licence expiry date, handle licensing matters and take proper action on their unlicensed vehicles.
 

TD issue notices to registered owners of vehicles unlicensed for two years or more
The new vehicle registration and licensing regime will take effect from 22 December 2025.  Under the new regime, the TD will issue a notice to registered owners of vehicles unlicensed for two years or more. Vehicle owners must, within three months of the date of notice, renew the licence or cancel the registration of such vehicles.

Vehicle owners should take the following actions

1. Renew the licence of their vehicles. Please click here for the renewal procedures;
2. cancel the registration of the vehicles after scrapping the vehicle or permanently shipping it out of Hong Kong and submit a "Notification for Cancellation of Vehicle Registration" （TD184）together with a scrap certificate/shipping document to any Licensing Office; or
3. apply for an exemption from the TD for not licensing their vehicles. Please click here for the exemption reasons, application procedures and the exemption period.     

Failing to take action upon expiry of the three-month notice period will constitute an offence. The concerned vehicle owner may subject to penalty and imprisonment.
 

Other Information

• “New Vehicle Registration and Licensing Regime” thematic website of the TD.