Hong Kong Introduces Online Same-day Queue Tickets for Driving License Applications Starting January 12

TD implements "Online Same-day Queue Ticket" arrangement for direct issue of Hong Kong Full Driving Licence

The Transport Department (TD) announced today (January 7) that,starting from next Monday (January 12), the Hong Kong Licensing Office (HKLO) at United Centre, Admiralty,will implementthe"Online Same-day Queue Ticket" arrangement for applications forthedirect issue oftheHong Kong Full Driving Licence ("direct issue"). This will fully replace the existing on-site ticketing arrangement, further streamlining application procedures, meeting increasing demand, and ensuring fair and orderly access to services forpersonsin need.

No on-site ticketing for direct issue in coming two days

Due totheabuse of the on-site ticketing arrangement, to prevent queuing for"direct issue"applications from affecting other licensing services while improving order management at the licensing office, the TD willcease theon-site ticketing for"direct issue"applications startingfromtomorrow (January 8). From January 12 onwards, applicants or their agents may obtain tickets online through the "Online Same-day Queue Ticket" service.In addition, the existing online appointment booking system for"direct issue"counter services remains unchanged, and applicants who have already booked appointments in advance may continue tovisitthe HKLO at their scheduled times to submit"direct issue"applications.

"Online Same-day Queue Ticket" arrangement

FromJanuary 12, the TD will open the system at 7amoneach working day to provide 300 same-day tickets. Each ticket allows submission of one"direct issue"application for the designated applicant. Applicants must access the "Online Same-day Queue Ticket" system via the designated webpage (www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/licences_and_permits/osqt/index.html) to obtain a ticket on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants are required to input to thesystemwith information such as the first four digits/characters of the identification document number, English name, and mobile phone number (including numbers registered outside Hong Kong).

Successful applicants will receive SMS notifications sentby#cefs@govhk and have tovisitthe HKLO counter at the specified timeslot stated in the message to submit their applications. Late arrivals or absentees will need to re-apply for a ticket through thesystem. The TD will continue to monitortheapplication demand and adjust the number ofsame-daytickets as necessary.

The "Online Same-day Queue Ticket" arrangement is provided with the assistance of the Digital Policy Office (DPO), which aims to facilitate remote same-day ticket collectionby "direct issue"applicants, eliminating the need for physical queuing and simplifying the application process. The TD willworkcloselywiththeDPO to ensure smooth and stable system operation.

The HKLO willput up notices on the new "Online Same-day Queue Ticket" arrangement for "direct issue" applications and deploy additional staff to maintain order, answer public enquiries, and provide assistance. Ticketing and queuing arrangements for other driving licence-related counter services remain unchanged.

A TD spokesman stressed that the department has always processed and verified each"direct issue"application in a stringent manner. Applicants must submit sufficient, true and accurate documentary proof and fully meet the eligibility criteria stipulated under the law before approval will be granted.

Towards full online services for"direct issue"applications

Further, the TD is working closely withtheDPO to enhance the online appointment booking system for"direct issue"counter services, including the introduction of new authentication technologies and expansion of system capacity, with a view to fully implementing online appointment booking services as soon as possible and extending "direct issue" counter services 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.

In the longer term, the TD is actively exploring the use of artificial intelligence technologies in"direct issue"application procedures. Applicants will be able to upload application documents for preliminary vetting online and only need to bring the original documents to the Licensing Office at their booked timeslot for verification. This will further reducetheneed for submission via agents.TheTD will continue to promote digitalisation of licensing services and announce details of new initiatives in due course.

Source: AI-found images

Public healthcare fees and charges reform shows initial success Accident and Emergency Departments focus resources on critical care

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson announced today (January 8) that since the implementation of the public healthcare fees and charges reform one week ago, operations in Accident and Emergency Departments (A&Es) of public hospitals have been functioning smoothly. The overall number of attendances has decreased. A&Es have been able to concentrate resources to serve critical and emergency patients, ensuring timely treatment for all critical and emergency patients and improving the efficiency of patient care.

During the past week (from January 1 to 7), a total of 32 147 patients attended the 18 A&Es under the HA. Among them, 1 807 patients were triaged as critical or emergency cases, 14 077 as urgent cases, while the remaining 16 263 as semi-urgent or non-urgent cases.

During this period, the daily average A&E attendances was 4 592, which included an average of 258 critical or urgent cases (5.6 per cent), 2 011 emergency cases (43.8 per cent), and 2 323 semi-urgent or non-urgent patients (50.6 per cent). Compared to the full year of 2025, the daily average A&E attendances was 5 210, comprising 228 critical or emergency cases (4.4 per cent), 2 156 emergency cases (41.4 per cent), and 2 826 semi-urgent or non-urgent cases (54.2 per cent).

The HA spokesperson said, "Over the past week, the number of A&E attendances and the proportion of patients of various triage categories at A&Es indicate that the public healthcare fees and charges reform has yielded initial results. Not only have the number and proportion of semi-urgent and non-urgent patients decreased, but all critical and emergency patients arriving at A&Es have been able to receive immediate treatment from healthcare staff. The vast majority of emergency patients received treatment within 15 minutes of arrival. Additionally, the proportion of urgent patients receiving treatment within 30 minutes has increased from 82.7 per cent last year to 88.8 per cent, while the average waiting time for urgent patients has decreased from 22 minutes to 19 minutes."

Following the implementation of the public healthcare fees and charges reform, the HA has regularised the A&E refund arrangements, which can facilitate less urgent patients in opting to other healthcare institutions after triage. From January 1 to 7 this year, a total of 257 A&E patients applied for refund, compared to 691 patients during the same period in 2025. The spokesperson reiterated that A&E is positioned to serve critical, emergency and urgent patients. Individuals with minor conditions or episodic illnesses, such as common colds, are encouraged to visit Family Medicine Clinics, private doctors, or 24-hour outpatient services of private hospitals. This enables A&E to concentrate resources on treating patients with urgent medical needs.

Currently, all A&Es are operating smoothly. While a small number of semi-urgent and non-urgent patients might experience longer waiting time when A&Es were handling a large volume of critical cases at certain period, the majority of these patients were treated and discharged within a few hours. All patients requiring admission after treatment in A&E can be admitted within four hours, with no patient remaining in the A&E for extended periods awaiting admission.

The HA will continue to closely monitor the operations of A&E to ensure that resources are focused on patients with urgent medical needs, in line with the objectives of the public healthcare fees and charges reform to strengthen support for "poor, acute, serious, critical" patients.

Source: AI-found images