E-contact required for driving licences

November 1, 2024

Police Traffic Branch Headquarters Superintendent Nip Hoi-kwan:

After our implementation of the ticket digitalisation, if the driver or the vehicle owner has updated his electronic contact means to the Transport Department, we will start issuing electronic tickets to him or her.

At the same time, apart from that electronic ticket, we will provide a physical paper-form ticket during the transitional period so that (if) the driver or vehicle owner does not know how to handle the electronic ticket, he can still use the paper ticket to handle it.

Regarding the timeline, the Transport Department will start (to collect) electronic contact means on November 18. 

In fact, it takes around 12 to 16 months for the renewal of vehicle licences. 

By that time, over 80% of our (fixed) penalty tickets will be digitalised. So the majority of the penalty tickets could be digitalised in around one year's time.

From November 18, applicants for the new issue or renewal of 21 driving and vehicle licences must provide and verify their Hong Kong mobile phone number or email address as an e-contact means for receiving electronic messages issued by the Police Force and the Transport Department in the future.

Applicants will receive a one-time password during the online application process, the Transport Department explained in a press release, noting that applications cannot be processed if an e-contact means cannot be provided or verified, or if the e-contact provided is inconsistent with the verification record.

This is a necessary step in preparation for the Traffic e-Enforcement System to be implemented gradually in the first half of 2025, it added.

At a joint press conference held by the Police Force and the Transport Department on the arrangements, Police Traffic Branch Headquarters Superintendent Nip Hoi-kwan said that after implementing the Traffic e-Enforcement System, which entails the digitalisation of fixed penalty tickets, drivers who violate traffic rules will be given e-tickets if they have logged their e-contact means with the Transport Department.

“Apart from that electronic ticket, we will provide a physical paper-form ticket during the transitional period so that if the driver or vehicle owner does not know how to handle the electronic ticket, he can still use the paper ticket to handle it.”

The majority of the penalty tickets could be digitalised in around one year’s time, he added.

The Transport Department stressed that licence applicants must ensure that their Hong Kong mobile phone number or email address is correct. Otherwise, they will not be able to receive notifications, leading to penalty tickets and tunnel tolls not being paid on time, and subsequent surcharges.

Separately, it reminded the public that it would only issue SMS messages which bear the ID “#TDeContact”, with the prefix “#” for easy authentication. Moreover, it will not send SMS messages or emails with hyperlinks.

Users may refer to the Transport Department’s thematic webpage, the HKeMobility mobile application and the Agent T Facebook page for details.

Call 2804 2600 for enquiries.