Licensing

By the end of the year, Hong Kong had 492 539 licensed vehicles in all
classes, representing an increase of 5.28 per cent over 1996.

New private car registrations rose 93.31 per cent, from 22 203 in 1996
to 43 054 in 1997. This brought the number of licensed private cars to
314 833, an increase of 7.31 per cent over the past year.

Registered goods vehicles numbered 134 861 by the end of the year, 0.33
per cent more than the 134 419 in 1996. Of these, 91 823 were light
goods vehicles, a decrease of 1.16 per cent from 1996.

Vehicle examination is to upgrade vehicle safety through improved design
requirements and correct maintenance. The private car inspection scheme
is carried out at 23 designated car-testing centres. Compulsory annual
inspection applies to all public services vehicles and goods vehicles.
Examination of trailers is being implemented to cover all trailers by
March 1, 1998.

There were 1 142 226 licensed drivers at the end of 1997, an increase of
4.25 per cent over 1996. The average number of new learner-drivers fell
from 4 501 per month in 1996 to 4 369 per month in 1997. To improve
services, since June 2, 1997, driving licences valid for 10 years have been
issued, instead of the previous limit of one year or three years, to
applicants aged 60 or below on the day of application. Those aged above
60 will be issued a driving licence valid for a shorter period.

Since the introduction of the Driving Offence Points System in August
1984, 52 541 disqualifications have been ordered by the courts and
430 473 notices have been served under the Road Traffic (Driving-
offence Points) Ordinance. The figures for 1997 were 5 959 and 53 824
respectively. Over the past five years, 475 047 drivers have incurred
penalty points for committing scheduled offences under the system.

A performance pledge scheme for licensing services was introduced in
December 1992. The scheme was extended in December 1996 to cover
vehicle examination and government tunnel services. An active customer
liaison group, with 33 members, enabled direct public participation in
advising the Transport Department of customer' requirements and in
gauging public opinion on services provided.

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