*******************************************************
The special arrangement for renewal of expiring and expired vehicle and driving licences implemented in previous years before the Budget Day has proved to be effective in avoiding a rush. The arrangement will be adopted again this year.
"The special arrangement has been effective in maintaining the number of applications for renewal of vehicle or driving licences during the last few days before the Budget announcement at more or less the normal level. There have been no abnormal queues and the arrangement has been well received by the public," a Transport Department (TD) said today (February 16).
Details of the arrangement for this year are as follows:
* All vehicle licences eligible for renewal on or before Budget Day (February 23 ), i.e. vehicles that are registered at the time of renewal and with licence expiry dates falling on or before June 22, can be renewed at the present rate, whether for four months or 12 months, at any time up to and including June 22.
* All full Hong Kong driving licences and driving instructor's licences eligible for renewal on or before Budget Day (February 23), i.e. those with expiry dates falling on or before June 22 and those which have expired for less than three years at the time of renewal up to June 22, can be renewed at the present rate at any time up to and including June 22.
The special arrangement only applies to the renewal of expiring and expired vehicle licences, full driving licences and driving instructor's licences meeting set conditions. It does not apply to any other licensing services.
There is no need for eligible licence holders to rush to TD licensing offices to have their licences renewed on speculation that those licence fees may be increased in the coming Budget.
"The arrangement is made solely to deal with the potential problem of long queues. The contents of the Budget are a separate issue on which the TD has no information," the spokesman stressed.
At present, applications for renewal of vehicle and driving licences can be submitted through the Internet, by post and by placing in the drop boxes in the four licensing offices of TD and designated Post Offices. Members of the public are encouraged to renew their licences through these channels.
Ends/Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:31
NNNN
