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Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
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'Ordinary folk' Nip joins long queue for license
The former secretary for the civil service, Patrick Nip Tak-kuen, says he waited three hours at the Transport Department office to apply for an international driving permit as he plans to travel now that the 0+3 policy is implemented.
Nip shared his international driving permit on Facebook and said the 0+3 policy had resulted in many people queuing up to apply.
He described the queue as long but orderly and quiet, with frontline staff working patiently. He said that if there was enough time, he would apply by appointment or by mail.
He used hashtags "be prepared to travel" and "make good use of technology," and replied to a comment from a friend, saying he "couldn't wait" to travel.
The commissioner for transport, Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, also left a comment, explaining that the number of people applying for international driving permits at the department has increased as more people plan to travel abroad. The department has increased its manpower as much as possible.
The department said more than 10,000 international driving permits were issued last month, which was 1.8 times more than in September 2021.
Law reminded people that they can apply for an international driving permit by mail in advance, which can be received in about 10 working days.
A web user who replied to Law's comment said she had spent three months waiting for the early test appointment, but could not get a quota by phone or through the website.
"There are even 'early test scalpers' who charge HK$3,000 for one quota," said the commenter.
Law posted an article on her own Facebook page to give tips, saying that in addition to mail, people can go to the Cheung Sha Wan licensing office to get a ticket and apply for various types of driving license.
"The office will give out 170 tickets in the morning and 130 in the afternoon, so if you're in a hurry to travel, you can try your luck," she said.
She said the online queue ticketing system for driving license will be extended to all licensing offices by the end of the year.
The department has said that to avoid long waiting time or delays in application at the counter, the public can submit applications through non-counter channels such as mail or drop boxes, or register for counter service at selected licensing offices for immediate collection of permits.
He described the queue as long but orderly and quiet, with frontline staff working patiently. He said that if there was enough time, he would apply by appointment or by mail.
He used hashtags "be prepared to travel" and "make good use of technology," and replied to a comment from a friend, saying he "couldn't wait" to travel.
The commissioner for transport, Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, also left a comment, explaining that the number of people applying for international driving permits at the department has increased as more people plan to travel abroad. The department has increased its manpower as much as possible.
The department said more than 10,000 international driving permits were issued last month, which was 1.8 times more than in September 2021.
Law reminded people that they can apply for an international driving permit by mail in advance, which can be received in about 10 working days.
A web user who replied to Law's comment said she had spent three months waiting for the early test appointment, but could not get a quota by phone or through the website.
"There are even 'early test scalpers' who charge HK$3,000 for one quota," said the commenter.
Law posted an article on her own Facebook page to give tips, saying that in addition to mail, people can go to the Cheung Sha Wan licensing office to get a ticket and apply for various types of driving license.
"The office will give out 170 tickets in the morning and 130 in the afternoon, so if you're in a hurry to travel, you can try your luck," she said.
She said the online queue ticketing system for driving license will be extended to all licensing offices by the end of the year.
The department has said that to avoid long waiting time or delays in application at the counter, the public can submit applications through non-counter channels such as mail or drop boxes, or register for counter service at selected licensing offices for immediate collection of permits.
