First case of vehicle owner convicted for prolonged unlicensed vehicle
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A spokesman for the Transport Department (TD) said, "We welcome the verdict, as it sends a clear message to all registered vehicle owners that unlicensed vehicles will remain registered under their names. They are held responsible to comply with the new requirement and handle their vehicles properly and in a timely manner. The new requirement aims to strengthen the regulation of prolonged unlicensed vehicles and address the improper abandoning of vehicles at source."
Since the new requirement took effect from December 22, 2025, the TD has been issuing notices to owners of vehicles unlicensed for two years or more. They must, within three months of the date of notice, renew the licence, or submit the supporting documents to the TD and cancel the registration of such vehicles after scrapping them or permanently shipping them out of Hong Kong. According to the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374E), the maximum penalty for the first conviction will be a fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for three months. For each subsequent conviction, the maximum penalty will be a $25,000 fine and six months' imprisonment. Prosecutions are ongoing.
The spokesman reminded vehicle owners that, upon conviction and if the fine has not been settled yet, the TD may, subject to the court's order, (1) refuse to issue or renew the driving licence of a convicted vehicle owner; (2) cease processing any application for transfer of ownership of the subject vehicle and any other vehicles under the convicted owner's name; and (3) refuse to issue a vehicle licence to the subject vehicle and any other vehicles under the convicted owner's name. Individual vehicle owners who have genuine difficulties in taking the required actions or have reasonable grounds for not licensing their vehicles may apply for an exemption from the TD. Details are available on the TD's website.
Vehicle owners may make use of the TD's e-Licensing Portal to check the licence expiry date of vehicles under their names and take proper action on their unlicensed vehicles. The TD will continue to remind vehicle owners to comply with the new requirement via publicity and public education. Members of the public may refer to the infographics as well as the thematic posts on handling vehicles in a timely manner and steps to cancel vehicle registration (Chinese only) on the Agent T Facebook page, visit the TD's website or call the hotline at 2804 2600 for details.
Ends/Monday, August 31, 2026
Issued at HKT 17:45
Issued at HKT 17:45
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