ALL residents who wish to drive in Hongkong are required to obtain a Hongkong Driving Licence either by passing a driving test or by exchanging a foreign licence issued in a place accepted by the Commissioner of Transport.
A list of the 31 countries with which Hongkong has reciprocal licensing agreements, together with full details of licensing requirements, can be obtained by calling the Transport Department Information Hotline on 801 7788.
Driving without a licence is a serious matter as it can affect your coverage by a third party insurance policy.
If, however unwittingly, you drive without the legally required insurance, you will receive a mandatory 12-month period of disqualification.
About a quarter of all people found driving while disqualified receive an immediate prison sentence with the remainder getting suspended sentences. Few are let off with a simple fine.
All such offences carry further terms of disqualification and, as can be seen from the scale of punishment, magistrates take a poor view of drivers who express contempt for the law.