ExplainerWant to get an electronic Hong Kong driving licence? The Post tells you how
Transport Department rolls out new mobile app where drivers can get digital copy of their driving licence
About 2.5 million drivers in Hong Kong are no longer required to carry their physical driving licences if they have an electronic version, under a new policy that started on Monday.
The government has launched a mobile application that was previously expected to cost HK$12.5 million (US$1.59 million) to create, with the platform aiming to make it more flexible and convenient for drivers to present their licences.
The Post unpacks the beginnings of the service and how it works.
1. Why introduce e-driving licences?
The new licence format is the latest effort from the Transport Department to digitalise services, after launching online application options for most licences and driving tests over the past year.
The digital documents serve as an alternative to physical driving licences, allowing motorists to fulfil requirements that they must carry such permits for examination or inspection by law enforcement officers.
The department said it hoped the arrangement could “advance smart mobility” and offer greater convenience and flexibility to the city’s around 2.5 million drivers, who range from learners to instructors.
Authorities have said that, despite the launch of the e-licences, they will continue to issue physical copies to meet the needs of different people.