Hong Kong Transport Department to Launch Online Driving Licence Appointments and Improve Queue Ticketing System

TD provides convenience for direct issue of Hong Kong Full Driving Licence applications in multi-pronged approach

The Transport Department (TD) announced today (August 13) that new short, medium and long-term measures will be launched in phases towards the full implementation of online appointment services for application for direct issue of Hong Kong Full Driving Licence and quotas will be increased gradually, thereby improving efficiency and providing greater convenience to the public.

New arrangement on queue ticketing

From today onwards, new queue ticketing requirements will be imposed on agents submitting "direct issue" applications at the Hong Kong Licensing Office at United Centre, Admiralty. When obtaining a ticket, all agents are required to input their identification document numbers and those of each of the respective applicants into the queue ticketing system. Such information will be printed on the ticket. Counter staff will verify the information of both the ticket holder and the applicant(s) entered during application processing. If any information does not match that printed on the ticket, all applications concerned will not be processed.

A spokesman for the TD said, "The operation of the new arrangement today has largely been smooth. To ensure fair use of services by the public in need in an orderly manner, we will further enhance "direct issue" application procedures and provide more convenience for the public. We will expand our capacity and introduce new multi-pronged initiatives to promote digitalisation of licensing services."

Towards full implementation of online appointment services

Short-term measure: Strengthening checks to improve online appointment arrangements

Starting from September, the TD will strengthen co-operation with relevant issuing authorities of driving licences, including more checks on "direct issue" applicants' information in relation to Mainland driving licences provided via online appointments. If any information is found to be untrue, the relevant appointments will be cancelled and such quotas will be reopened for appointment by other applicants, enhancing the effective operation of the system;

Medium-term measure: Full implementation of online appointment for counter services to replace on-site queue ticketing arrangements and enhancement of processing capacity

In the fourth quarter, the TD will accept online appointments for "direct issue" counter services only and no on-site queue ticketing will be arranged. By that time, the counter services for "direct issue" will be expanded to the other three Licensing Offices, namely the Kowloon Licensing Office at Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, the Kwun Tong Licensing Office at Kowloon East Government Offices and the Sha Tin Licensing Office at Sha Tin Government Offices, and the number of appointment quotas will be increased. Applicants must upload proof documents when making online appointments for verification of eligibility. If any information is found to be untrue, the relevant appointments will be cancelled; and

Long-term measure: Studying full implementation of online application as facilitation

The TD is actively studying the use of artificial intelligence technologies in "direct issue" application procedures. Applicants who uploaded proof documents during online appointments with initial approval only need to bring their original application documents for verification at Licensing Offices during their booked timeslots. A full driving licence can then be issued within the same day. This provides convenience for them to submit applications on their own, reducing the need to submit applications via agents.

The spokesman stressed that the TD has been processing and verifying every "direct issue" application in a stringent manner. Applicants must submit sufficient, true and accurate documentary proof, and their applications will only be approved when they fully meet the eligibility criteria stipulated under the law.

The TD has introduced various e-licensing services in the past year, including the enhanced vehicle licence providing convenience for vehicle owners who do not need to replace the paper licence after renewal; the development of e-Licensing Portal which is an one-stop online platform for managing licences; setting up International Driving Permit (IDP) Self-service Kiosks; and the launch of E-Auction enabling the public to bid for their desired vehicle registration marks. Following more and more online government services connected to the "iAM Smart", applications for most licences and driving test services can now be submitted online. At present, about 60 per cent of applicants for IDP applications and 50 per cent of full driving licence renewal applications are submitted online.

The TD will continue to promote digitalisation of licensing services and details of the above new initiatives will be released in due course.

Source: AI-found images

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $1 million at airport

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (December 20) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $1 million.

A male passenger, aged 23, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds concealed inside vacuum-sealed bags in his check-in suitcase. He was subsequently arrested.

The arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The cases will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (December 22).

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $1 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases