New online booking system for direct issue driving licences set for March 16

The Transport Department (TD) announced that from March 16, applications for the direct issue of a Hong Kong Full Driving Licence will require advance online booking, marking the full implementation of the online appointment system for counter services.

The TD said that starting March 16, all applicants must make an appointment through the designated online Appointment Booking System (ABS) before attending a Licensing Office. The booking quota will be increased to 550 slots per working day and expanded to cover all four Licensing Offices. The existing “Online Same-day Queue Ticket” arrangement will be canceled on the same day.

Applicants who have already secured appointments through the current system will not be affected.

Under the new arrangement, the Kowloon Licensing Office in Cheung Sha Wan, the Kwun Tong Licensing Office in Kowloon East and the Sha Tin Licensing Office will each set up dedicated counters to process applications submitted with Mainland driving licences. The Hong Kong Licensing Office at United Centre in Admiralty will continue handling applications submitted with driving licences issued by all recognized countries and places.

To ensure an orderly rollout of the additional quotas, the enhanced booking system will launch next Tuesday, March 10. From March 10 to March 13, new appointment slots for the period between March 16 and April 10 will be released in phases. From March 16 onward, the system will open booking slots for the following four weeks, with updates made daily at 5pm on working days.

The TD said applicants must verify their identity when making an online booking. Hong Kong identity card holders are required to log in using a registered “iAM Smart” account. Non-HKIC holders or those without an “iAM Smart” account must upload identity documents and their driving licence as instructed. All applicants must provide an email address to receive a one-time password for verification.

If any information submitted is found to be untrue, the appointment will be canceled and the slot released for other applicants.

The eligibility criteria, required documents and applicable vehicle classes for direct issue applications remain unchanged.

The enhanced ABS incorporates security and traffic management measures, including a human-machine verification system and a virtual queue mechanism, to detect and block automated programs from securing bookings and to regulate online traffic.

With the full implementation of the online system, the 24-hour appointment hotline at 3763 8080 will cease accepting bookings for direct issue counter services from March 16.

The TD said the new arrangement aims to ensure fair and orderly access to services while improving operational efficiency across Licensing Offices.