TD responds to Office of The Ombudsman's direct investigation report on arrangements for counter services at Licensing Offices
In response to the report released by the Office of The Ombudsman on its direct investigation into "Arrangements for Counter Services at Licensing Offices of Transport Department", the Transport Department (TD) today (June 29) responded as follows:
The TD has always attached great importance to licensing services, and is committed to optimising the application processing workflow and enhancing the relevant queue ticketing and appointment booking systems. The TD appreciates the Office of The Ombudsman for its recommendations on improving the counter services of the Licensing Offices (LOs) and the service arrangements for the direct issue of the Hong Kong Full Driving Licence ("direct issue"). The situation mentioned in the direct investigation report mainly concerns the operation prior to the full implementation of the online appointment for counter services for "direct issue" on March 16, 2026. Following the implementation of the new measures, situations regarding service quotas and queuing order have significantly improved.
A spokesman for the TD said, "As applicants for 'direct issue' can be directly issued with a Hong Kong Full Driving Licence without taking a local driving test, we must conduct rigorous checks including verification of the original documentary proofs issued by places outside Hong Kong and where necessary, approach relevant authorities to authenticate the documents for safeguarding road safety and the public interest."
There is a strong demand for "direct issue", with the number of applications increasing by more than two-fold from about 27 000 in 2021 to about 84 500 in 2025. To provide convenience to applicants and enhance the processing efficiency, the TD has continuously introduced various enhancement measures, including the full implementation of the online appointment for "direct issue" counter services, increasing the appointment quotas by 40 per cent to 550 per working day, and extending the service to all four LOs, thereby substantially enhancing the overall processing capacity and resource utilisation.
The enhanced online appointment system has been operating generally smoothly and stably since its launch. The system features a human-machine verification mechanism, virtual queue management, verification of the applicant's identity through "iAM Smart" and artificial intelligence (AI), and the use of a one-time password for verification. These have strengthened security and prevented the abuse of appointments, ensuring a smooth and fair operation, while safeguarding the rights of the public. Applicants can make appointments in a fair and orderly manner according to the system's instructions and submit their applications at the selected LOs, saving queuing time on site. If the information and supporting documents submitted by the applicant are in order, the approval can generally be completed on the same day with the driving licence issued.
The spokesman added, "We will continue to monitor the operation of the new arrangements, while at the same time actively explore the use of technology to optimise the application procedures for 'direct issue', with a view to further streamlining procedures and enhancing the experience. We will also adopt new AI technologies in e-licensing services to enhance work speed and efficiency, promoting the integrated development of digital technologies and transport. As for the recommendations of the Office of The Ombudsman on further improving the ticketing and queuing arrangements for the counter services of the LOs, we will keep monitoring the service performance and actively study feasible enhancement measures to enhance service quality and efficiency."
Currently, the TD has more than 20 licensing services available for online application, and has also rolled out various new e-licensing measures in recent years, including enhanced online application and renewal procedures for vehicle licences, the e-Licensing Portal one-stop online e-licensing platform, the International Driving Permit Self-service Kiosks, and the electronic International Circulation Permits, enabling the public to submit licence applications more conveniently. The TD will continue to promote online licensing services and enhance counter services to reduce the need for the public to visit the LOs in person, while providing a more convenient and efficient service experience.
Source: AI-found images
Marine Department implements facilitation measures to encourage yacht visits to Hong Kong
The Marine Department (MD) today (June 29) announced the implementation of cross-boundary facilitation measures for yachts.
A spokesman for the MD said, "The 2025 Policy Address proposed developing the yacht economy. The three measures introduced by the MD today will streamline vetting procedures and enhance port formality efficiency to facilitate the implementation of existing policies for yachts visiting Hong Kong, thereby attracting more yachts from the Greater Bay Area and around the world to choose Hong Kong as their destination and helping Hong Kong develop into a yachting hub in Asia."
Details of the three facilitation measures are set out below:
(1) Enhancing the Electronic Business System
The enhanced Electronic Business System (eBS) was launched today. The owner or master of a visiting yacht, without the need to engage local agents, can set up a personal account on the system, which allows one-stop submission of arrival information for the vessel, crew and passengers in advance, thus enabling preliminary vetting by the relevant departments (the MD, the Immigration Department and the Department of Health). The owner or master can complete port formalities for their vessels and settle the relevant fees via the system on their own.
The eBS' coverage also includes the following services:
- submission of a Pre-Arrival Notification to the MD for the purpose of applying for permission for the vessel to enter Hong Kong waters;
- reporting of the vessel's arrival;
- application for permission to navigate in Hong Kong waters and for the intended anchorage within designated anchorage areas for visiting yachts; and
- application for port clearance.
For details of the enhanced eBS, please visit the MD's website.
(2) Relaxing the requirements of berths for visiting yachts
The MD has improved the existing mechanism and developed a Dynamic Yacht Monitoring System, which allows visiting yachts to navigate safely and in an orderly manner in Hong Kong waters as well as to anchor in designated areas, without having to reserve berths at privately operated yacht clubs or piers. The five designated anchorage areas for visiting yachts are located at Stanley Bay, Tai Tam Bay, Repulse Bay, Three Fathoms Cove in Sai Kung, and Tai O, and are situated close to general navigation waters and popular recreational boating areas.
The Dynamic Yacht Monitoring System calculates the number and distribution of yachts permitted to anchor based on the actual size and draft reported by the yachts visiting Hong Kong, as well as the occupancy status of the anchorage areas, and provides real-time monitoring of the movements of visiting yachts within the designated anchorages. Visiting yachts using the designated anchorage areas must be equipped with an Automatic Identification System (AIS) and a Very High Frequency (VHF) radio to enable the MD to monitor their movements in real time and communicate with the yachts via VHF radio when necessary.
(3) Facilitating masters of visiting yachts from the Chinese Mainland to obtain required qualifications
To safeguard the safety of visiting yachts and other port users, the operator of any visiting yacht planning to navigate in Hong Kong waters for leisure purposes is required not only to comply with the requirements of their flag state authority but also to pass an examination on local knowledge of Hong Kong waters.
To facilitate operators of visiting yachts from the Chinese Mainland in obtaining qualifications for navigation in Hong Kong waters in advance, the MD has authorised the relevant Mainland authority to conduct Hong Kong Waters Local Knowledge Examinations on the Mainland. The MD has also approved seven training institutions to offer recognised training courses. Details of the training institutions can be found on the MD's website. The first batch of Mainland yacht masters has successfully passed the examination or received training in mid-June. Details about the examination and training have been uploaded to the MD's website. The MD will expand the relevant arrangements to overseas regions in due course.
The MD has also produced promotional leafletsto enhance the understanding of visitors arriving on yachts and the general public about the three above-mentioned facilitation measures.
The spokesman added that the MD will closely monitor the implementation of these measures, step up publicity and education on safe and orderly navigation and anchoring in Hong Kong waters, and continuously review and enhance the arrangements. The Government will also maintain close co-operation with the relevant authorities on the Chinese Mainland as well as the tourism industry, with an aim to foster a healthy, sustainable, and competitive environment for the development of the local yacht economy.
Source: AI-found images
