[Car Knowledge] Vehicle License Renewal Procedures and Precautions
🚗 Editor's opening remarks
In Hong Kong, a vehicle licence (also known as road tax) is not a one-time, lifetime issue; instead, it has a validity period . Whether your car is new, used, or even a rare vintage, you must renew it in accordance with the Road Traffic Ordinance.
The Hong Kong Transport Department (Transport Department) has very strict management of vehicle license plates:
- Expired driving license = equivalent to driving without a license
- If you are stopped by the police, you may be fined, penalized, and appear in court.
- It will also affect the effectiveness of third-party insurance, and the consequences will be more serious in case of accidents.
Therefore, the editor would like to remind you that you must remember the expiration date of your car’s driving license, otherwise it is not as simple as just paying a fine.
📜 1. Legal Background and Validity Period
There are usually two types of validity periods for vehicle license plates:
- 12 months (standard)
- 4 months or 8 months (billed on a pro-rata basis, usually issued in special circumstances, such as when a new car is first registered or before it is sold)
Legal Terms :
- Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations
- All motor vehicles must have a valid license plate before they can be driven on public roads
- Whether you drive your car or not, you must keep your license plate valid (otherwise, parking on the street is also illegal)
📅 2. Renewal Timeline (I’ll highlight the key points for you)
The Transport Department allows renewal of vehicle licences up to 4 months in advance . The benefits of this are:
- Regardless of when you renew, the new maturity date is an extension of the original maturity date and there will be no "eclipse"
- Reduce delays in urgent license renewals
💡Editor 's example :
- Your vehicle license expires on December 1, 2025
- The earliest you can renew your visa is August 1, 2025.
- Even if you renew in August, the next expiration date will be December 1, 2026
🗂 3. Documents required for renewal
necessary:
-
Completed vehicle licence application form (TD20)
- You can get it from the Transport Department, or download and print it from gov.hk
- Original current (or expired) vehicle registration plate
- Third-party insurance certificate (valid until the new license takes effect)
- Hong Kong Identity Card (for the vehicle owner) / Company Registration Document (for commercial vehicles)
-
Vehicle inspection certificate (if applicable)
- Private cars/trucks over 6 years old need regular vehicle inspections
Optional (depending on the situation):
- If you are acting through an agent → Authorization letter is required
- Company license plate → Requires company seal
🛣 4. License renewal channels and steps (one by one)
A. Renew your license in person at the Transport Department
- Go to any Transport Department Licensing Office (there are branches in Kowloon, Hong Kong Island and the New Territories)
- Submit all documents → Pay the license plate fee (cash/EPS/Octopus/Credit Card) → Collect the new license plate paper on the spot
- Suitable for last-minute requests
💡 Editor's Tip: Avoid the beginning and end of the month, and around lunchtime, as there will be fewer crowds.
B. Apply by mail
- Send the application form, all copies of documents and a cheque to the designated PO Box (Transport Department)
- The processing time is about 4-6 working days, and the new license plate will be sent back
- Suitable for those who don’t want to queue but have time to wait⚠️ Remember to keep the mailing receipt
C. Online licence renewal (Transport Department e-Service)
- Log in to gov.hk (requires an iAccess account)
- Upload the required documents → Pay by credit card → New license plate will be sent back by registered mail
- The advantage is that it is available 24 hours a day. ⚠️ Not applicable to new cars that require vehicle inspection (certificate of conformity must be submitted in person)
💰 5. License plate fee reference (2025 example)
| Vehicle type | Annual Fee (HKD) |
|---|---|
| Private car (≤1,500cc) | $5,074 |
| Private car (>1,500–2,500) | $7,058 |
| Private car (>2,500cc) | $9,819 |
| Trucks/Light Commercial Vehicles | $6,318+ |
| motorcycle | $1,519 |
💡 Whether the fare includes or does not include the first registration tax is two different things. The renewal fee will be slightly adjusted by the government every year due to policy/environmental tax.
⏳ 6. Consequences of overdue license renewal
- If the license has expired but less than 15 days ago → you can still renew it (you need to pay the original period)
- Expired for more than 15 days → Unable to drive, need to re-apply for license plate, and may need to re-inspect the vehicle
- Driving on the road during the expiration period = driving without a license , up to a fine of $5,000 + 3 months imprisonment + points
🕳 7. Common traps I've seen
-
Ignore insurance date
- You must have valid insurance on the effective date of the new license, otherwise you will not be able to renew your license
-
Vehicle inspection period not completed
- The vehicle inspection report is only valid for a few dozen days. If you delay submitting the report for too long, you may need to re-inspect it.
-
Lack of transparency in agency fees
- Some agents will add a few hundred yuan in handling fees, so you can save a lot by doing it yourself.
-
No notification of address change
- The Transport Department will send renewal reminders to the old address. If you do not receive the notification, it is easy to expire.
-
I thought I wouldn't renew my license if I didn't drive.
- It is illegal to leave your vehicle on the street without driving it. Unless you report a "suspension" (SORN equivalent), you must renew your license.
📊 8. Editor's Lazy Flowchart (12 Steps)
| step | action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check the expiration date of your license plate | It can be done within 4 months |
| 2 | Check insurance certificate | The new expiry date must include the effective insurance period |
| 3 | If you need a vehicle inspection | Make an appointment for vehicle inspection one month in advance |
| 4 | Complete the TD20 form | Pre-filled online/over the counter |
| 5 | Prepare original and copy of documents | ID card, insurance, vehicle inspection certificate |
| 6 | Select a processing channel | On-site/ By mail/ Online |
| 7 | Pay the renewal fee | Accept multiple payment methods |
| 8 | Receive new license | On-site delivery/postal delivery takes several days |
| 9 | Place the license plate on the windshield | Must be posted in the specified position |
| 10 | Verify information | License plate number, expiration date |
| 11 | Save old license plates | In case of future requests for insurance or prosecution information |
| 12 | Mark down the next due date | Set an alarm |
🎯 Editor's Conclusion
Renewing your driving license in Hong Kong isn't a complicated process, but there are a few essential requirements: valid insurance, a passing vehicle inspection (if required), and the correct documentation . Applying early, without waiting for deadlines, is the best way to save both money and worry.
I've seen many drivers put it off, thinking "it'll be fine in a few days." They end up rushing to get their licenses past the deadline, and are often caught by the police driving without a license, receiving a fine of several thousand dollars. It's truly not worth it.
