This checklist is for an eligible direct-issue application. A complete-looking bundle does not guarantee approval, especially after mainland reissue, with multiple classes or complex residence evidence; follow TD's specific official-record requirements.
What to have ready
Before you start
TD requires an originally signed TD63A, rejecting digital or printed signatures and requiring signatures beside amendments. Bring identity or travel documents, the physical mainland or overseas licence and eligibility evidence with hard copies of every side and page; phone displays are not copies. Address proof must be within three months and reflect actual residence plus a Hong Kong correspondence address. The current form also requires electronic-contact verification within three months before submission.
What to do, step by step
- Prepare identity documents by eligibility branch. The residence and issuing-place travel-document branches require a passport or equivalent travel document; residence applicants also copy personal-particulars, entry and departure, and applicable visa pages. For five-year holding, follow TD’s identity list with Hong Kong identity card if any, or passport/equivalent, and separately prove five years for each entitlement.
- Create an evidence index stating requested class, validity, test-origin proof and the residence, five-year or travel-document branch. Obtain any necessary official driving particulars from the issuing authority in advance rather than an agent writing a substitute certificate.
- Read TD's mainland-specific notes for old and new cards, probation completion and added entitlements. Recent reissue or matching first and current issue dates can require official particulars under the stated conditions. Copy the main card, supplementary pages and relevant old cards on all sides.
- Prepare recent evidence for actual residence and Hong Kong correspondence. If authorised to use someone else's Hong Kong correspondence address, bring TD's required personally signed authorisation, address proof and identity copy; do not falsely claim residence there.
- Verify electronic contact, then book the designated direct-issue counter and check its issuer scope. Bring originals, hard copies and fees. An authorised submitter must show their own original identity document; retain any acknowledgement and follow up at the same office.
Costs, timing, and things to check
Documents outside Chinese or English need an officially certified translation accepted by TD, not a self- or AI-translated printout. Applicants aged seventy or above additionally require an original TD256 completed by a registered medical practitioner within four months; check personal applicability.
Direct-issue submissions are not accepted by post or drop-in box, and booking is neither submission nor guaranteed same-day completion. Verification or missing evidence may delay issue; separately establish lawful driving permission until valid entitlement is actually obtained.
A practical example
An applicant with a recently reissued mainland card and two classes obtains official entitlement and probation particulars, copying the main card, supplementary page and relevant old licence. A friend's correspondence-address authorisation is a separate signed letter. Verify email before booking and retain any follow-up acknowledgement.
Turn the appointment into a reviewable application with originals, hard copies and verifiable evidence.
Official information and enquiries
These are the reference and service entry points for this guide. Check current fees, eligibility, and schedules with the authority. The preparation date is not each source's official update date.