TD 63A Direct Issue of a Hong Kong Driving Licence

What is TD 63A (direct issue of HK driving licence)?

Form TD 63A is the application for the direct issue of a Hong Kong full driving licence. It is the route for people moving to Hong Kong who already hold a full licence from one of the recognised countries or places listed on the form, or from the Mainland, and want a Hong Kong licence without taking the Hong Kong driving test.

Part E of the form sets the conditions. The licence must be a full licence (not an International Driving Permit), valid or expired for no more than 3 years, obtained by passing a driving test where it was issued, and for classes equivalent to the ones you ask for. You must also meet one of three conditions: it was first issued while you lived there for at least 6 months, you have held it for at least 5 years, or you hold a passport of that country or place.

FileIt prints your particulars, addresses, licence details, vehicle classes and health answers into the Transport Department's own PDF, crossing out the titles that don't apply and ticking both the Chinese and English answer boxes. The form only accepts a handwritten signature, so you print the finished form from your vault and sign it.

Who fills it: Holders of a full driving licence from a recognised country or place, or the Mainland, who want a Hong Kong full licence.
Appointment: Book a counter appointment on GovHK first: the notice says there are no walk-ins.
Fee: $900 at 60 or below as printed; over 60, $52 a year plus a $38 levy a year. Fees may change (TD341).
Signature: By hand only: digital or printed signatures are not accepted.
Edition: TD 63A (Rev. 11/2025).

Who needs to fill out TD 63A (direct issue of HK driving licence)?

Expatriates and returning residents who have moved to Hong Kong with a full licence from a country or place on the form's list.
Mainland licence holders now living in Hong Kong.
Anyone who wants to drive in Hong Kong long term without relying on an overseas licence.

When to use TD 63A (direct issue of HK driving licence)

While your overseas or Mainland licence is still valid, or within 3 years of its expiry.
After you have booked a counter appointment through GovHK.
Once you have the documents to show you meet one of the residence, five-year or passport conditions in Part E.

What you need before you start

Your Hong Kong identity card (if any) and your passport or equivalent travel document, originals and copies.
Your overseas or Mainland full driving licence, and an officially certified translation of any document not in Chinese or English.
Proof that you meet a Part E condition, such as entry and departure records, visas and school or employment records for the 6-month residence condition.
Proof of your present address issued within the last 3 months.
If you are 70 or older: an original Medical Examination Certificate TD256 from a registered medical practitioner.
The fee.

What’s on TD 63A (direct issue of HK driving licence)

The 2025 edition has 7 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 — Details of applicationApplicant
Part C — Validity period (aged 70 or above only)Applicant
Part D — Declaration of applicantApplicant
Required documents and feeApplicant
Marks worked out from your answersApplicant

How to fill out TD 63A (direct issue of HK driving licence), step by step

1 Part A: your particulars

Title, name in English (surname first), optional Chinese commercial codes, date of birth, identity document, e-contact means, residential address, a correspondence address if needed, and a daytime phone number.

2 Part B: your overseas licence

The licence number, the code of the issuing country or place from Part E, the dates of issue and expiry, and the vehicle classes you want (private car, light goods vehicle, motor cycle, motor tricycle), each with or without automatic transmission.

3 Part C: validity (70 or above)

Applicants aged 70 or above choose a 1-year or 3-year licence and bring a TD256 medical report. Younger applicants skip it: at 60 or below the licence lasts 10 years.

4 Part D: declaration

Questions on physical handicap, scheduled diseases, glasses, hearing aids and any past refusal, then your declaration about the overseas licence and consent to enquiries. You can appoint an agent in item (5).

5 Documents and fee

Tick each document you bring. FileIt prints the ticks on the form's checklist.

Common mistakes to avoid

Turning up without a GovHK appointment: no walk-ins or same-day tickets are arranged.
Applying on an International Driving Permit, which the form says doesn't count.
Missing evidence for the residence, five-year or passport condition in Part E.
Using a licence that expired more than 3 years ago.
Signing electronically: the form only accepts a handwritten signature.

After you fill it out

Print the form from FileIt and sign Part D in ink.

Take it with the originals and copies of your documents and the fee to the licensing office at your booked time: the Hong Kong Licensing Office for licences from recognised countries, or any of the four licensing offices for Mainland licences. FileIt does not submit anything for you.

Save your new Hong Kong licence in your vault with its expiry date so FileIt can remind you before renewal; the notes say you can renew up to 4 months before it expires.

Fill out TD 63A (direct issue of HK driving licence) 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 — 83 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 63A (direct issue of HK driving licence) now — it’s free

TD 63A (direct issue of HK driving licence): frequently asked questions

Do I need to take a driving test?

Not if you meet the Part E conditions. The licence is issued directly on the strength of your overseas or Mainland full licence.

Which countries are recognised?

Part E on page 3 of the form lists them with their codes, such as 01 Australia, 05 Canada, 15 Japan and 30 United Kingdom. Enter that code in Part B.

Can I apply without an appointment?

No. The notice printed with the form says every direct-issue applicant must book a counter appointment through GovHK, and no walk-in or on-site queue tickets are arranged.

How long will my Hong Kong licence be valid?

Ten years if you are 60 or below; over 60 but under 70, until the day before you turn 70 or for 3 years, whichever is longer; at 70 or above, 1 or 3 years as you choose in Part C.

Can I sign TD 63A electronically?

No. The form says digital or printed signatures are not accepted, so print it and sign by hand.

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/td63a_e-fillable_eng.pdf
Official instructions and guidance: https://www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/licences_and_permits/driving_licences/how_to_apply_for_a_driving_licence/driving_in_hong_kong_for_overseas_driving_licence_/index.html
Edition shown on this page: TD 63A (Rev. 11/2025) (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.