[Vehicle License Renewal] Features of New Vehicle Licenses 2025| License Fees for Different Types of Vehicles | Renewal Documents and Three Main Methods (Including EV License Fee Calculator)
Author:
Anthony Chan
Created On:
2021-09-01
Edited On:
2025-01-09
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The Hong Kong government requires all vehicles to hold a valid vehicle license (commonly known as a "driving permit") to operate on public roads. How much does it cost to renew the licenses for private cars, vans, and motorcycles? Are there differences in calculating the license fees for electric vehicles? What are the procedures and required documents for renewing the licenses of new and used vehicles? How long is a vehicle license valid for? What should you do if it expires? Kwiksure is here to answer all these questions.
Vehicle License Renewal | When Should Drivers Renew or Apply for a License?
The law requires all vehicles to be registered and licensed before legally driving on roads. Generally, a vehicle only needs to be registered once, but the owner must renew the vehicle's license within four months before the existing license expires. If your vehicle license is set to expire in the next four months or has already expired but less than two years ago, you must provide and verify an electronic contact method before renewing.
Vehicle License Renewal | Providing an Electronic Contact Method
From November 18, 2024, applicants must provide and verify a Hong Kong mobile number or email address for electronic contact to process any of the 21 types of licensing or renewal services, including vehicle licenses and driving licenses. This prepares for electronic traffic law enforcement in 2025, allowing the Transport Department and Hong Kong Police to send notifications via the provided electronic contact method.
How to Verify Your Electronic Contact Method
- Online Applications: Verification is done instantly during the application process using a one-time password (OTP).
- Paper Applications: Pre-verification via the Transport Department's designated online platform is required. Use an OTP to verify the electronic contact method, and submit the verified contact details within three months of verification.
Important Notes:
- Verification is valid for three months. Ensure to use the verified contact method to submit your application within this period.
- Verifying your contact method does not update Transport Department records until the application is approved.
- Official SMS messages related to verification are only sent from “#TDeContact” and will not include hyperlinks.
How can I verify an electronic contact method?
If submitting the "license application" online, a one-time password will be used for immediate verification during the application process. If submitting a paper "license application," you must first verify your "electronic contact method" using a one-time password on the designated online platform of the Transport Department, then fill in the same verified "electronic contact method" on the form, and submit the application form within three months of verification.
Vehicle License Renewal | Three Methods to Renew Your Vehicle License
There are three main ways to renew your vehicle license:
- Book an appointment online or by phone, then visit a licensing office in person.
- Use the "iAM Smart+" app for online renewal.
- Apply by mail.
Method 1: Book Appointment Online/Phone and Visit Licensing Office
To apply for a license renewal, vehicle owners must make a free appointment through GovHK service between 4 months before the current license (commonly known as the "vehicle registration") expires and within 2 years after its expiration. Alternatively, you can call the 24-hour appointment hotline at 3763 8080 to schedule a visit to the Licensing Office and choose a time slot, with the maximum appointment period being 10 weeks.
After completing the appointment, you can either go in person or arrange for an agent (who must bring their original identification document for record purposes) to visit the chosen Licensing Office during the scheduled time. Bring along the required documents to renew your vehicle license, and you can receive the new license on the same day. (Starting from December 30, 2024, all newly issued vehicle licenses will no longer display an expiration date.) For each renewal, you can choose to renew for either four months or one year, depending on your needs.
Documents Required for Renewal:
- Completed license renewal application form (TD558)
- Proof of identity (original or copy)
- Address proof (issued within the past three months)
- Verified electronic contact method
Method 2: Renew Online Using "iAM Smart+" App
- *Note that this introduction is about "iAM Smart+" and not "iAM Smart," as only "iAM Smart+" has the digital signature feature.
- To activate the digital signature of "iAM Smart+," download the app and go to a post office's self-service registration station or registration counter with your identification card. Once registered, you can use "iAM Smart" to apply for various government online services, including online license renewal.
- Open the "iAM Smart+" app and click on "Online Application for Vehicle License Renewal" or tap "Scan QR Code" to scan the QR code.
- Enter your personal and vehicle information, then choose whether to renew the license for 4 months or 12 months.
- The Transport Department will immediately verify the vehicle insurance record through the online system of the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers. If approved, there is no need to upload a copy of the insurance policy or temporary policy.
- Confirm your address information and upload proof of address (you can use utility electronic bills, such as water, electricity, or gas bills, as proof of address).
- Once you have confirmed that all information is correct, you can make an online payment using JCB, credit card, PPS, or UnionPay.
- After completing the process, the new vehicle license will be sent to your correspondence address by registered mail within approximately 10 working days.
Method 3: Apply by Mail (Licensing Office Visit Not Needed)
To apply for a vehicle license by mail, you can follow these steps:
- Request the application form by fax at the consultation service centers of the Home Affairs Department, post offices, or the Licensing Office, or call the Transport Department's customer service hotline at 2804 2600. You can also download the form (TD558) from the online link.
- Complete the application form.
- Send the completed form along with the relevant supporting documents and fees to P.O. Box 79, Central Post Office, Sha Tin (the department encourages applicants to send it by registered mail to avoid losing important documents).
- If the renewal is successful and the vehicle owner still holds an old-style vehicle license (printed with an expiration date), the Transport Department will send the new vehicle license (without an expiration date) to your correspondence address by registered mail within 10 working days after receiving the completed application. If you already have a vehicle license that does not display an expiration date, the Transport Department will send the "Vehicle License Notification" to your correspondence address by registered mail within 10 working days after receiving the completed application.
New Features for Vehicle Licenses in 2025
- No printed expiry date; future renewals won't require replacement.
- Includes a QR code for quick access to information such as license expiry details.
- No need to submit the registration document or roadworthiness certificate during renewal.
- Insurance verification will be done online in real-time.
Sources：Transportation Department
Transport Department License Renewal｜What if your vehicle license has expired?
If vehicle owners apply for license renewal after the license expiration date, it is considered a late renewal. In such cases, owners may need to pay an additional late renewal surcharge (commonly referred to as the "late license fee") on top of the standard license fee. However, this fee may be waived if sufficient evidence is provided to prove that the vehicle was not used on the road during the entire unlicensed period. For details, please refer to the section below, "How to Apply for a Waiver of the Late Renewal Surcharge."
Calculation Method for the Late Renewal Surcharge:
Late Renewal Surcharge = Annual License Fee (excluding HK$114 Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Fund) × 0.33% × Number of Days Past Expiration
(The number of days is calculated from the day after the original license expiration date to the day before the new license becomes effective.)
Additionally, if the vehicle license has been expired for two years or more, the vehicle registration will be canceled. The owner will then need to go through the re-registration process before applying for a new vehicle license.
How to Apply for a Waiver of the Late Renewal Surcharge:
If the vehicle was not used on the road after the license expiration date, the owner can apply for a waiver of the late renewal surcharge. Owners must complete the "Declaration for Exemption from Additional Fee for Using Vehicle Without License After Expiry" section on page 2 of the TD558 Vehicle License Renewal Application Form, stating the entire period during which the vehicle was not in use.
If applying by post, the end date of the non-use period will be determined based on the postal date (postmark). As the application date received by the Transport Department may be later than the postmark date, resulting in additional late renewal fees, it is recommended to submit the application in person at a Licensing Office to avoid such charges.
Regardless of whether the late renewal surcharge is paid, the effective date of the new vehicle license will be the date of issuance.
How Long is a Vehicle Examination Certificate Valid?
All private vehicles in Hong Kong that have been licensed for six years or more (currently those manufactured in 2018 or earlier) must pass an annual vehicle examination and be issued a Certificate of Roadworthiness (vehicle examination certificate) to renew their license. The certificate is valid for license renewal within four months from its issuance date. However, the certificate must still be valid on the effective date of the new license; otherwise, a new vehicle examination is required.
Example: If the vehicle examination certificate is issued on January 1, it can only be used for licenses that take effect on or before April 30. If the new license takes effect in May or later, even if the renewal application is submitted before April 30, the original certificate will not be accepted, and the owner must undergo another vehicle examination.
For more details about vehicle examinations, refer to Used Car and License Renewal Vehicle Examination: Private Car Inspection Fees, Online Appointment Process, and Inspection Center List 2024.
Transport Department License Renewal｜2024 Vehicle License Fees
The license fee for private cars and light goods vehicles is determined by engine displacement, such as 1,500 cc – 2,500 cc. For light goods vehicles and electric vehicles, the license fee is calculated based on the vehicle's weight, with additional charges for exceeding certain weight limits.
Private Car (Petrol) License Fees
| Private Car (Petrol) License Fees | ||
| Engine Displacement | Annual Fee* | Four-Month Fee* |
| Up to 1,500 cc | $5,074 | $1,804 |
| 1,500 cc – 2,500 cc | $7,498 | $2,653 |
| 2,500 cc – 3,500 cc | $9,929 | $3,504 |
| 3,500 cc – 4,500 cc | $12,360 | $4,355 |
| Over 4,500 cc | $14,694 | $5,171 |
| *Includes the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Fund levy of HK$114 annually or HK$38 for four months. | ||
Private Car (Light Diesel) License Fees
|
Private Car (Light Diesel) License Fees |
||
|
Engine Displacement |
Annual Fee* |
Four-Month Fee* |
|
Up to 1,500 cc |
$6,972 |
$2,469 |
|
1,500 cc – 2,500 cc |
$9,396 |
$3,317 |
|
2,500 cc – 3,500 cc |
$11,827 |
$4,168 |
|
3,500 cc – 4,500 cc |
$14,258 |
$5,019 |
|
Over 4,500 cc |
$16,592 |
$5,836 |
| For private cars using light diesel fuel as defined under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), Section 69, an additional fee of HK$1,898 applies. | ||
Electric Vehicle License Fees
*Only for reference
|
Net Weight^ |
Annual Fee |
Four-Month Fee |
|
Up to 1 ton |
$572 |
30% + 35% of annual fee |
|
Per additional 250 kg (rounded up) |
$124 |
|
|
Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Fund levy |
$114 |
$38 |
As mentioned above, the licensing fee for electric vehicles is based on the vehicle's net weight, making it cheaper compared to private cars, commercial vehicles, and even motorcycles. It can also be divided into annual licensing fees and four-month licensing fees.
Example: For a 2024 Tesla Model 3 Long Range with a net weight of 1,765 kg, the annual license fee is calculated as: $572 + ($124 × 4) + $114 = $1,182
Motorcycle and Motor Tricycle License Fees
|
Annual Fee |
Four-Month Fee |
|
$1,314 |
$488 |
Light Goods Vehicle License Fees
|
Permitted Gross Weight |
Annual Fee |
Four-Month Fee |
|
Up to 1.9 tons |
$2,229 |
$809 |
|
Over 1.9 tons |
$4,254 |
$1,517 |
Electric Bus License Fees
|
Permitted Gross Weight |
Annual Fee |
Four-Month Fee |
|
Net weight not exceeding 1 ton |
$572 |
30% + 35% of annual license fee
|
|
Additional fee for every 250 kg of net weight (rounded up if less than 250 kg) |
$124 |
|
|
The Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Fund levy for each bus or electric bus is $114 annually and $38 for four months. |
||
Public Bus License Fees
|
Permitted Gross Weight |
Annual Fee |
Four-Month Fee |
|
Driver; and |
$25 |
30% + 35% of annual license fee
|
|
Additional fee per passenger seat |
$50 |
|
|
The Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Fund levy for each bus or electric bus is $114 annually and $38 for four months. |
||
Private Bus License Fees
|
Permitted Gross Weight |
Annual Fee |
Four-Month Fee |
|
Driver; and |
$25 |
30% + 35% of annual license fee
|
|
Additional fee per passenger seat |
$45 |
|
|
The Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Fund levy for each bus or electric bus is $114 annually and $38 for four months. |
||
Taxi License Fees
|
Annual Fee |
Four-Month Fee |
|
$3,159 |
$1,134 |
Public Minibus License Fees
|
Annual Fee |
Four-Month Fee |
|
$8,429 |
$2,979 |
Private Minibus License Fees
|
Annual Fee |
Four-Month Fee |
|
$2,749 |
$991 |
License Renewal FAQs
Q：How do I confirm if my online license renewal application has been successfully submitted?
If all required documents are complete, the Transport Department will send the new license to your correspondence address via registered mail within 10 working days. If you do not receive the new license after this period, please call 1823 for inquiries.
Q：Can I apply for license renewal before my current license expires?
Yes, license renewal applications can be submitted up to 4 months before the license expiry date.
Q：How do I verify my electronic contact information?
For online applications, verification can be completed instantly using a one-time password during the application process. For paper applications, electronic contact information must be pre-verified on the Transport Department's designated online platform using a one-time password. The verified contact information must then be provided on the application form and submitted within three months of verification.
