Buckle up, folks! A driving license is your golden ticket to hit the road, and the full version is good for a decade—unless you’re nearing the big 7-0. Over in Hong Kong, this magical card is a bit of a minimalist. It doesn’t bother with a mugshot, just a peek at your issue date, what you can drive, your ID number, and your name, all paired with your ID card.
i. Full license
A driver applies for this license after completing the probation period. It is valid for ten years lest you approach seventy-years old. A driver applies for the license, after passing a driving test, to be allowed to drive commercial vehicles.
PROCEDURE TO APPLY FOR A DRIVING LICENSE
Relocation to a new country also entails securing important documents including a driving license that can also double up as an ID proof to access local services and other facilities. It is important to know the procedures and rules involved in obtaining driving license in Tokyo or Hong Kong.
a. Complete all the necessary application forms that could be obtained from the Internet. The forms are also available in Licensing Offices and available Post Office, Public Enquiry Service Centres, Department of Home Affairs, and the Department of Transport.
b. Forward the completed forms along with other supporting documents by post or in person to licensing offices, after paying the required fee.
The licensing services in Hong Kong can be accessed at this link: https://www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/licences_and_permits/driving_licences/index.html
Tel: (852) 2804 2600
Hong Kong attracts lots of people for tourism and professional purposes and many also relocate. For them an established government ID proof like Driving License will be useful for a hassle free life style.
OPTIONS FOR INDIANS TO OBTAIN DRIVING LICENSE
Get an International Driving License
An Indian citizen who wants to drive a car or motorbike in a foreign country must obtain an International driving license or International Driving Permit from the local RTO office.
An international driver’s license will come in handy for an Indian to rent vehicles or drive in foreign lands, like Japan and Hong Kong, during their visit.
International Driving License means a translated copy of the original driver’s Licence issued by the State licensing authority in India. All Indian states issue International Driving License via the local RTO office or Motor Vehicle Department.
HONG KONG DRIVING LICENSE AND PROCEDURES
In Hong Kong, the procedures are unique for new Driving Permits or converting a Driving Permit into the Hong Kong pattern.
Visitors not planning to stay in Hong Kong for more than one year are allowed to drive using foreign driving licenses. If the stay exceeds that period, they must exchange their overseas driving licence for a Hong Kong version provided the licence has been issued by one of the approved countries.
In case the driving licence is not from an approved country, a temporary driving licence will be issued, until the Hong Kong driving test is cleared.
Citizens holding valid (not expired and obtained after passing the test at issuing place) overseas driving licenses in Hong Kong can apply for a full-fledged Hong Kong driving license without the driving test if the driving license was issued by an approved country.
For issuing a Hong Kong driving licence of the same class/category as the existing licence, an applicant must satisfy one of the following conditions:
• The applicant must have lived at least six months in the place where the licence was issued.
• He must possess the licence for at least five years before applying for the exchange.
• He must possess passport of the country where the licence was issued
If the above requirements are not met, a test will be compulsory. The Transport Department has all the information and the licence exchange application form (TD63A) can be downloaded.
The following documents are required:
• The original and photocopy of the overseas driving licence with a certi- fied translation if the language is other than English or Chinese.
• Hong Kong Identity Card and any other documentary proof of compliance with the above criteria
• Applicants above the age of 70 must have a medical certificate under form TD256
• Address proof issued in the last three months
• Required fee as specified
• Passport
• All supporting documents both in original and photocopy.
Temporary Driving Licences
• A temporary driving license will be is- sued if the applicant’s overseas driving license was issued by a country not on the approved list.
• A temporary driving license will be valid for 12 months before taking a driving test.
When to apply for Driving Test in Hong Kong
For the Hong Kong driving test, the appli- cation should be submitted within three months from the date of arrival in Hong Kong. If the applicant fails in any part of the driving test, the temporary license will be withdrawn and no fresh license will be issued.
NORMS FOR TEMPORARY DRIVING LICENSE IN HONG KONG
To receive a temporary licence, one of these re- quirements are compulsory:
• Must have lived for at least six months in the place where the license was issued.
• Or, there was a license for at least five years before applying for the temporary license
• Or, a passport of the country where the license was issued
• The Transport Department website has the temporary license application form (TD181) available for download.
Documents for a temporary license
• The application should be submitted in person to the Hong Kong Licensing Office with the following documents:
• Original passport
• Overseas driving license and an officially certified translation if the language is other than English or Chinese
• Hong Kong Identity Card
• Proof of address issued within the last three months
• Any other documentary proof of compliance with the above criteria
• A medical certificate for those applicants aged 70 or above
• Those not satisfying the above criteria will have to take a driving test in Hong Kong.
Even though the procedures may appear hard and time-consuming, it is ideal to follow the guidelines while applying for fresh driving permits or converting to the format of the country into where you have moved.