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The Government published a consultation paper today (July 12) inviting views from the public on the proposal to amend the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations, Cap 374E regarding the issuance of the Certificate of Particulars of Motor Vehicle.
In accordance with the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations, the Commissioner for Transport is required to maintain a register of vehicles, which shall contain 18 items of particulars, including general information of registered vehicles as well as the full name, address and identity document of registered vehicle owners.
The Commissioner shall, on payment of a prescribed fee (currently $45), supply to any person making an application any particulars in the register in respect of a vehicle's Certificate of Particulars of Motor Vehicle.
A Government spokesman said, "To better protect privacy and ensure the proper use of the personal particulars of registered vehicle owners kept in the register, the Government proposes to amend the Regulations to specify the purpose of the register and empower the Commissioner to release the personal particulars of a registered vehicle owner only under specified conditions.
"Unless these conditions are met, only vehicle particulars would be provided in the Certificate. The proposed amendments also include a sanction provision to penalise those applicants who use the personal particulars of registered vehicle owners for purposes other than those declared."
Starting from today till September 11 (Sunday), the Government will conduct a public consultation exercise for two months to collect views from the public on the proposed changes before proceeding with the legislative amendments. The consultation paper can be downloaded from the websites of the Transport and Housing Bureau (www.thb.gov.hk) and the Transport Department (www.td.gov.hk), and the public can send in their views by post (VALID and Licensing Division of Transport Department, Room 506-508, 5/F, Harcourt House, 39 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai), fax (3101 5561) or email (vldenq@td.gov.hk).
Ends/Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Issued at HKT 11:25
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