The Transport Department will implement special arrangements for the renewal of expiring and expired vehicle and driving licences this year to avoid a pre-Budget rush.

All vehicle licences eligible for renewal on or before the Budget address on February 28 - vehicles that are registered at the time of renewal and with licence-expiry dates falling on or before June 27 - can be renewed at the present rate, whether for four months or 12 months, at any time up to and including June 27.

All full Hong Kong driving licences and driving instructor licences eligible for renewal on or before the Budget - those with expiry dates falling on or before June 27 and those which have expired for less than three years at the time of renewal up to June 27 - can be renewed at the present rate at any time up to and including June 27.

There is no need for licence holders to rush to Transport Department counters to have their licences renewed on speculation that those licence fees may rise in the Budget.