The great driving licence handout

More driving licences are issued under a scheme which allows non-local drivers to obtain a Hong Kong licence without a test than through the city's driving examinations, Transport Department figures show.

Lawmakers are now calling for a review of the list of countries which have an exchange agreement with Hong Kong and the screening procedure for drivers.

Last year, 36,873 licences for private cars, light goods vehicles and motorcycles were issued through the "direct issue" scheme, 1,055 more than those issued through a local driving test. In 2011, 30,930 people passed their driving test in Hong Kong, compared to 34,660 licences issued under the scheme.

The proportion of mainland drivers obtaining a licence through the scheme increased from 43.8 per cent in 2008 to 60.2 per cent last year.

NeoDemocrats lawmaker Gary Fan Kwok-wai said one man had complained to him about not being able to obtain a British licence under the exchange scheme after the authorities there told him they had reasons to believe he had not passed the Hong Kong driving test and rejected his application.

Fan said if Hong Kong did not tighten its screening process more countries might follow suit and impose stricter requirements. "Then Hong Kong driving licences will be depreciated," he said.