Updated on April 30, 2024

How to register and obtain a license for a new or used car? What are the different charges for various types of vehicles? Is there anything special about calculating electric vehicle license fees? How long is the license valid for? How to renew it if it expires? BuyCar.hk answers all your questions about vehicle licenses and fees!

Since all vehicles must be registered and licensed to be driven or used on the road, you must register any car purchased in Hong Kong. You can do this either as an individual (must be over 18 years old) or in the name of a registered company by filling out the Transport Department form (TD22) and submitting it along with the required documents at the Hong Kong Licensing Office. Basically, a vehicle only needs to be registered once. However, if you are buying a used car, you will need to complete the vehicle transfer procedures.

Renewing Vehicle License

All vehicle licenses are valid for one year. You can renew your license within 4 months before the current license expires through "GovHK" or in person at the Licensing Office. Please prepare the following documents before applying:

*Make sure you have noted the reference number of the electronic service.

Fee Schedule

The latest license fees for various vehicles, adjusted on February 24, 2021, are listed below, detailing the fees for one year and four months.

Special Reminder: For private cars or electric passenger vehicles with licenses expiring on or before June 23, 2021, you can continue to pay the pre-adjustment annual license fee if you submit the renewal application on or before June 23, 2021. If you are renewing licenses expiring on or after June 24, 2021, or submitting an application for the first issuance or re-issuance of private car or electric passenger vehicle licenses on or after 11:00 AM on February 24, 2021, you must pay the adjusted annual license fee.

Additionally, note that aside from buses and electric passenger vehicles, which must pay a Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Fund levy of $114 (one year) / $38 (four months), this levy is already included in the license fees for other vehicles.

Calculation Method for Electric Vehicle License Fees

For electric vehicles, listed in the table as "electric passenger vehicles," the license fee calculation is as follows:

Vehicle net weight (not exceeding 1 ton) + extra weight surcharge (per 250 kg) + Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Fund. Refer to the image below for more details.

Late License Renewal

If you apply for license renewal after the current vehicle license has expired, it is considered a late renewal. The renewal procedures remain the same, but in addition to the standard license fee, the owner may have to pay a late renewal surcharge (commonly known as a late license fee). If the license has expired for 2 years or more, the vehicle registration will be cancelled, and the owner must re-register the vehicle before applying for a new license.

If the vehicle is used on the road (e.g., parked at a metered space or driven on the road) after the license has expired, the owner must pay a late license fee when renewing the license. The calculation method is as follows:

(1-year license fee - $114 Accident Assistance Fund) X 0.33% X number of days the license is overdue.

Applying for Exemption from Late License Fee

If the vehicle has not been used on the road after the license expired, the owner can apply for an exemption from the late license fee. This can be done by filling out the "Declaration for Exemption from Additional Fee for Using Vehicle after License Expiry" on page 2 of the license renewal application form TD558, stating the entire period during which the vehicle was not used. If submitting the application by mail, the end date of the non-use period will be based on the postmark date. Since the date the Transport Department receives the application may be later than the postmark date, and the department will still charge the owner for the late license fee during that period, it is recommended that applicants personally go to the Licensing Office to handle the late renewal application. Regardless of whether the late renewal surcharge is paid, the new vehicle license will be effective from the date it is issued.

Electric Vehicle Tax Incentives in the Financial Budget

The "One-for-One" Replacement Scheme will be extended for two years until 2026, with the reduction amount slightly lowered to 40%.

The maximum first registration tax exemption for electric private cars will be adjusted from $97,500 to $58,500.

The maximum first registration tax exemption under the "One-for-One" Replacement Scheme will be adjusted from $287,500 to $172,500.

Electric vehicles with a pre-tax price exceeding $500,000 will not be eligible for the exemption.

Other types of electric vehicles, including electric commercial vehicles, electric motorcycles, and electric motor tricycles, will continue to enjoy full exemption from the first registration tax for the next 2 years.