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The Transport Department (TD) today (July 7) reminded people that the five-day week arrangements has been implemented. Starting from tomorrow (Saturday),the TD Headquarters, Regional Offices, Licensing Offices, Driving Test Appointment Office, Driving Test Offices and Driving Test Written Test Centre, as well as Kowloon Bay, To Kwa Wan and Sheung Kwai Chung Vehicle Examination Centre will be closed on Saturdays.
The TD will deploy staff members outside licensing offices, driving test appointment offices, driving test offices and driving test written test centre, as well as vehicle examination centres to provide assistance to those people not aware of the new operation hours.
"We will put some commonly used application forms outside the entrance of the offices. Our staff members will assist the public to fill in the forms and put their applications into the drop boxes for our further action on Monday morning," a department spokesman said.
"Most counter services provided at the counters could be obtained by post, through ESDlife website or by sending an agent or using the drop-in box," he added.
The spokesman also pointed out that the application forms for the different types of licences could be obtained either from the department's website or the Home Affairs Department Public Enquiry Service Centres, fuel stations and the TD's car parks.
The drop-in boxes at the Licensing Offices were accessible throughout the day, even after office hours on weekdays and on weekends or holidays. For those applications submitted by post, ESDlife website or drop-in box, the department would return the new licence or required certificates within 10 working days by registered mail.
The spokesman also reminded people that renewal of full driving licences and vehicles could be done four months before their expiry and renewal would be effective from the date of expiry of the existing licence.
The spokesman stressed that emergency and essential services, including the monitoring of public transport services and traffic conditions by the Emergency Co-ordination Centre and operation of the control room for Area Traffic Control would continue to operate round the work. Other public services provided by the TD, including the new Kowloon Bay Vehicle Examination Centre and Driving Test Centres would not be affected.
People can visit the department's website (http://www.td.gov.hk), call the Government hotline 1823, the department's hotline 2804 2600 or the department's five-day week dedicated hotline 1834567, for the opening hours and other information.
Ends/Friday, July 7, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:29
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