New move: The Transport Department will move to the first phase of the five-day week initiative from July 1.

Services provided by the New Kowloon Bay Vehicle Examination Centre, driving test centres, and emergency and essential services will be unchanged when the Transport Department moves to the first phase of the five-day week initiative on July 1.

Office hours of the department's headquarters, regional offices, licensing offices, driving test appointment offices, driving test offices and written test centres, and vehicle examination centres in Kowloon Bay, To Kwa Wan and Sheung Kwai Chung will be extended 30 to 60 minutes Monday to Friday to compensate for Saturday closures.

Emergency and essential services, including the monitoring of public transport services and traffic conditions by the Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre and operation of traffic control rooms will continue around the clock.

Most counter services can be obtained by post, through ESDlife, or by sending an agent or using drop-in boxes. Application forms for the different types of licences can be obtained from the department's website or Home Affairs Department public enquiry service centres.

Drop-in boxes

Drop-in boxes at the licensing offices are accessible throughout the day. For applications submitted by post, ESDlife or drop-in boxes, the department will return the new licence or required certificates within 10 working days by registered mail.

Renewal of full driving licences and vehicle licences can be done four months before their expiry and the renewal will be effective from the date of expiry of the existing licence.

Voice-mail services outside office hours are available for the Transport Complaints Unit Hotline 2889 9999 and the Environmental Protection Department's complaint hotline for smoky vehicles 2838 3111.

For enquiries call the Government Hotline 1823, the department's hotline 2804 2600 or the department's five-day week dedicated hotline 183 4567.