The Ultimate Guide to Getting a Driver’s License
It is often a dilemma to decide whether to get a driver’s license or not in Hong Kong. On one hand, Hong Kong is extremely well connected by various networks of public transport, so much that access to a vehicle is not a necessity.
However, on the other hand, being able to drive in Hong Kong provides that extra convenience and flexibility.
Getting a driver’s license is very easy and straightforward in Hong Kong. Depending on which country you are from and how long you have had your license, you can either apply for a full license with your overseas driver’s license without test, or apply for a temporary driver’s license and take the road test to upgrade it to a full license.
This guide will take you through the steps you need to take to get your driver’s license conveniently.
In all cases, remember to make sure you satisfy all the requirements for the license you are applying for, and be sure to bring the relevant documents.
Apply for Full Driver’s License Without a Test
To qualify for a full driver’s license, you must hold a valid driver’s license from your country, or have a license that has not been expired for more than three years, and have passed your driving test in the country that is issued.
In addition, you must also satisfy one of these requirements to get your full license: reside in the country or place that issued your driver’s license for a period not less than 6 months, hold the license for 5 years or more prior to your application of a full driver’s license in Hong Kong, or hold a passport or equivalent travel document (such as permanent resident card) of the country or place in which your license was issued.
Once you have met these requirements, simply bring the copies of these documents in person to the Hong Kong Licensing Office at 3/F, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Hong Kong (Closest exit is Exit D of Admiralty MTR Station):
- Application form TD36A
- Hong Kong Identity Card (original and photocopy) OR
- Relevant travel documents (original and photocopy)
- Your overseas driver’s license (original and photocopy)
- Proof of address issued within the past 3 months, such as water/gas/phone bills or statements
- Any supporting documents
- Official translated documents if your driver’s license is not in English
- Completed medical exam report form TD256 by a paediatrician for applicants aged 70 or above
Regarding validity, licenses for applicants aged 60 and below are valid for 10 years, and licenses for applicants aged 70 and over have an option of having a 1-year or a 3-year driver’s license.
For applicants who are 60–69, the validity of their license is 3 years.
Fees are: annual license fee ($52) x number of years of valid period (e.g.1 year) + annual levy for Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Fund (TAVA) ($38) x number of years.
Apply for Temporary Driver’s License
If your driver’s license is not issued by an approved country, your option is to apply for a temporary driver’s license and take a driving test within 3 months of arrival in Hong Kong.
Like applicants for a full license, you must also either reside in the country or place that issued your driver’s license for a period not less than 6 months, hold your license for 5 years or more prior to your application for a Hong Kong driver’s license, or hold a passport or equivalent travel document in the country or place where your driver’s license is issued.
Simply fill in a TD181 form and bring it in person, along with these documents, to Hong Kong Licensing Office at at 3/F, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Hong Kong (Closest exit is Exit D of Admiralty MTR Station):
- Hong Kong Identity Card (original and photocopy) OR
- Relevant travel documents (original and photocopy)
- Your overseas driver’s license (original and photocopy)
- Proof of address issued within the past 3 months, such as water/gas/phone bills or statements
- Any supporting documents
- Official translated documents if your driver’s license is not in English
- Completed medical exam report form TD256 by a paediatrician for applicants aged 70 or above
The validity period for licenses for persons aged 60 and below, aged 60-69, and aged 70 and over are the same as applicants for a full driver’s license, as you can apply for a full license after you pass your driver’s test.
Remember, you can only apply for the license for the vehicle that you have licensure for. For example, you can only apply for a Hong Kong private car driving license if you hold a license for cars.
The fees for driver’s licenses are as follows:
- $600 for persons aged 60 or below
- $270 for a three-year license or $90 for a one-year license for persons aged 70
- For applicants aged 60–69, it is the annual license fee ($52) x number of years your license is valid + annual levy for Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Fund ($38) x number of days that your license is valid.
Remember to bring your fees to the Licensing Office when you apply for your license.
Now, what if you have to take the driving test? You can apply for a learner’s driving license with your Hong Kong identity card or passport, proof of address, medical form TD256 for applicants aged 70 and over, and a TD82 form for your driving test appointment by post to any of these licensing offices.
The driving test is composed of a written test and a road test.
However, unless you have your own vehicle, you may want to check out packages from driving schools in Hong Kong, such as Hong Kong School of Motoring and Lee Kin Driving School, which have one-stop packages, from taking care of all the paperwork for licensing offices (such as application for Learner’s License and Driver’s License) to having refresher courses and vehicle rentals for your driving exam.