TD 51 Hong Kong International Driving Permit Application

What is TD 51 (International Driving Permit)?

Form TD 51 is how a Hong Kong driving licence holder applies for an International Driving Permit (IDP). The permit is issued under the Geneva Convention of 19 September 1949, is valid for one year from the date of issue, and lets you drive the classes of vehicle shown on it in the countries and places that are party to that convention.

The form asks for your name, Hong Kong identity card number, date and place of birth, an e-contact means (a Hong Kong mobile number or email address), your residential address and, if you need one, a correspondence address. You then tick the vehicle classes you want and sign a declaration that you hold a valid Hong Kong full driving licence and aren't disqualified from driving them.

FileIt prints your answers into the Transport Department's own PDF, one letter per box, crosses out the titles that don't apply and ticks your vehicle classes and documents. If you apply by post it also fills in the mailing slip with your address. The form says digital or printed signatures are not accepted, so you print it from your vault and sign it by hand.

Who fills it: A holder of a Hong Kong full driving licence who wants to drive overseas.
Validity: One year from the date of issue, the Notes for Attention say.
Fee: $80 as printed on this edition; it may change, so check the Transport Department's fee table (TD341).
Signature: By hand only: digital or printed signatures are not accepted.
Edition: TD 51 (Rev. 10/2025).

Who needs to fill out TD 51 (International Driving Permit)?

Hong Kong drivers planning to drive on holiday or a business trip in a country that recognises the 1949 Convention permit.
Residents moving abroad who want to drive legally while they arrange a local licence.
Anyone whose car rental company or destination asks for an International Driving Permit alongside the Hong Kong licence.

When to use TD 51 (International Driving Permit)

A few weeks before you travel: postal and drop-in box applications take about 10 working days.
Once your e-contact means has been verified on the Transport Department's website, which must be within the 3 months before you apply.
While your Hong Kong full licence is valid, or within 3 years of its expiry, as the declaration requires.

What you need before you start

Your Hong Kong identity card (the original or a photocopy goes with the form).
Two identical, new and recent photographs, 40 mm x 50 mm, with a plain background and taken full face without headwear.
Proof of your present address issued within the last 3 months, such as a utility, telephone or bank bill.
A Hong Kong mobile number or email address already verified with the Transport Department.
The fee, by cheque or cashier order if you post the form or use a drop-in box.

What’s on TD 51 (International Driving Permit)

The 2025 edition has 6 pages. FileIt asks for it in 8 parts:

Part A — Present particulars of the applicantApplicant
Part A — Residential addressApplicant
Part A — Correspondence addressApplicant
Part B — Classes of vehicle on the permitApplicant
Part C — DeclarationApplicant
Required documents and feeApplicant
Part D — Application by post or drop-in boxApplicant
Words deleted on the formApplicant

How to fill out TD 51 (International Driving Permit), step by step

1 Part A: your particulars

Title, name in English, HKID with its check digit, date and place of birth, e-contact means, residential address, a correspondence address only if mail can't reach you at home, and a daytime phone number.

2 Part B: vehicle classes

Tick each class you want on the permit: A motor cycle, B private car, C medium or heavy goods vehicle, D private or public bus, E articulated vehicle.

3 Part C: declaration

You confirm your licence position and that your answers are true. Item (1) lets you name an agent, with their identity document number, to hand the form in and collect the permit.

4 Documents and fee

Tick the documents you enclose: identity card copy, two photos, the fee and proof of address.

5 Part D: by post or drop-in box

Give the bank and cheque or cashier order details. FileIt copies your name and address onto the page 4 mailing slip that you cut off and use for the envelope.

Common mistakes to avoid

Signing with an e-signature or a printed signature: the form says only a handwritten signature is accepted.
Using an e-contact means that hasn't been verified on the Transport Department website in the last 3 months: the application may be suspended.
Photos that are old, the wrong size or show headwear.
Sending cash or your original identity card by post or through a drop-in box.
Asking for a class of vehicle your Hong Kong licence doesn't cover.

After you fill it out

Print the form from FileIt and sign the declaration in ink.

Post it with the documents and fee to the Transport Department, Kwun Tong Licensing Office, P.O. Box 68115, Kowloon East Post Office, Kowloon, drop it in a licensing office's drop-in box, or apply in person at a licensing office. FileIt does not submit anything for you.

The permit comes by registered post within about 10 working days. Add it to your vault with its expiry date so FileIt can remind you before it runs out.

Fill out TD 51 (International Driving Permit) online with FileIt

Pick the person. Choose someone from People and FileIt fills in their name, date of birth, address and other details it already knows.
Answer plain-language questions. One part of the form at a time, with the official help text beside each question — 51 fields in all. Your answers save as you go.
Check the live preview. Watch your answers land on the real Transport Department, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region form, and let FileIt do any worksheet arithmetic.
Generate the official PDF. FileIt prints your answers into the agency’s own PDF and files it in that person’s folder in your vault.

FileIt fills the form — it never files or submits anything for you. Deliver the finished form to whoever asked for it, the way the form’s instructions say.

Start TD 51 (International Driving Permit) now — it’s free

TD 51 (International Driving Permit): frequently asked questions

How long is a Hong Kong International Driving Permit valid?

One year from the date of issue, according to the Notes for Attention on the form.

Can I sign TD 51 electronically?

No. The signature line says digital or printed signatures are not accepted. Print the form and sign it by hand.

Do I still need my Hong Kong licence abroad?

The notes say some countries require the permit to be used together with your Hong Kong physical full driving licence. Check with the consulate of the country you are visiting.

Which countries accept it?

Countries and places party to the 1949 Geneva Convention. List 1 printed with the form is for reference only; the form points to the United Nations treaty page for the up-to-date list.

Does my address on the form change my records?

Yes. The notes say that if the address or e-contact means differs from your records, the Transport Department updates all your vehicle and licence records to match.

Official sources

Blank form (PDF), published by Transport Department, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: https://www.td.gov.hk/filemanager/common/td51_e-fillable_eng.pdf
Official instructions and guidance: https://www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/licences_and_permits/index.html
Edition shown on this page: TD 51 (Rev. 10/2025) (checked 2026-10-19).

FileIt is not affiliated with or endorsed by Transport Department, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-10-19.