Hong Kong Regulations

ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING LICENCES) REGULATIONS - REGULATION 11

Issue of full driving licences

Caution: This is a past version. See the current version here.

Adaptation amendments retroactively made - see 3 of 2002 s. 15

(1) Subject to paragraphs (2), (3), (3A) and (4) and regulations 6, 7, 8 and
9, the Commissioner shall issue a full driving licence to an applicant if he
has passed, within 3 years prior to the date of his application, a
driving test in respect of the class of motor vehicle to which his application
relates. (L.N. 259 of 1984)

(2) The Commissioner shall issue a full driving licence to an applicant to
drive a motor vehicle of the class to which his application relates if the
applicant holds a valid full driving licence for a class of motor vehicle
which the Commissioner accepts as evidence of his competence to drive a motor
vehicle of the class to which his application relates.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), the Commissioner may issue a full 
driving licence to an applicant if the Commissioner is satisfied that-

   (a)  some time within 3 years before the date on which the applicant makes
        the application he had held a driver's certificate or licence issued
        by a competent authority in any country or place listed in the Fourth
        Schedule authorizing him to drive motor vehicles of the class which he
        would be authorized to drive by the licence for which he has applied;
        and

   (b)  the certificate or licence was originally issued to the applicant
        after successful completion of a test of competence to drive motor
        vehicles of the class or description concerned conducted by or on
        behalf of the competent authority which issued the certificate or
        licence; and

   (c)  (i) the certificate or licence was originally issued to the applicant
        during a period of residence of not less than 6 months in the country
        or place of issue; (L.N. 259 of 1984)

        (ii)   the certificate or licence was originally issued to the
               applicant not less than 5 years immediately prior to the
               application; or

        (iii)  the applicant is the holder of a passport or other equivalent
               travel document issued in the country or place in which the
               certificate or licence was issued. (3 of 2002 s. 15)

(3A) Subject to paragraph (4), the Commissioner may issue a full 
driving licence to an applicant who is a consular officer or consular employee
(as defined in the First Schedule to the Consular Relations  Ordinance (
Cap 259)) if the Commissioner is satisfied-

   (a)  that some time within 3 years before the date on which the applicant
        makes the application he had held a driver's certificate or licence
        issued by a competent authority in the country or place of which he is
        a consular officer or consular employee authorizing him to drive motor
        vehicles of the class which he would be authorized to drive by the
        licence for which he has applied; and (3 of 2002 s. 15)

   (b)  as regards the requirements of paragraph (3)(b) and (c)(iii). (L.N.
        259 of 1984)

(4) No driving licence shall be issued under paragraph (3) authorizing any
person to drive-

   (a)  a public bus or private bus;

   (b)  a medium goods vehicle;

   (c)  a heavy goods vehicle; (L.N. 259 of 1984)

   (ca) an articulated vehicle; or (L.N. 259 of 1984)

   (d)  a special purpose vehicle.

(5) (Repealed 89 of 1994 s. 29)

(6) A full driving licence-

   (a)  may, subject to paragraph (6A), be issued on payment of the fee
        prescribed in the Second Schedule; and

   (b)  shall be valid-

        (i)    in the case of a driving licence issued to an applicant who is
               at or less than the age of 60 on the date of application, for a
               period of 10 years from the date of issue;

        (ii)   in the case of a driving licence issued to an applicant who is
               over the age of 60 but less than the age of 70 on the date of
               application, for- (A) a period from the date of issue up to the
               day before he attains the age of 70; or (B) a period of 3 years
               from the date of issue, whichever is the longer;

        (iii)  in the case of a driving licence issued to an applicant who is
               at or over the age of 70 on the date of application, for a
               period of one year or 3 years from the date of issue as the
               applicant chooses. (L.N. 183 of 1997)

(6A) No fee shall be payable in respect of a full driving licence issued to a
disabled person. (L.N. 183 of 1997)

(7) The Commissioner shall specify in a full driving licence the class of
motor vehicle, or the type within any class, that the licence  holder is
authorized to drive.