Navigating common fees as a vehicle owner in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is home to a well-connected and efficient transportation network, where vehicles provide seamless commute under the “left-hand traffic” rule. Apart from registration and maintenance, private vehicle owners should also prepare for common expenditures that they may encounter on the road, including fees related to license renewal, toll, parking, and fuel or charging. By understanding these expenses and how to manage them efficiently, owners can enjoy the full benefits of driving in Hong Kong with a greater ease of mind. 

Obtaining and renewing your licence

Before applying for a Hong Kong driving licence, learner drivers without any driving experience are advised to complete at least 30 hours of training before taking the test. For talent with a foreign driving licence, you may apply for a direct issue of a full driving licence without a test or issue of a temporary driving licence prior to passing the test. Visit our beginner’s guide for driving in Hong Kong to learn more. 

Vehicle owners may apply for a vehicle licence renewal with the Transport Department (TD) 4 months before the expiry of their current licence. Owners may choose to renew their licence for 12 months or 4 months and are required to pay the corresponding licence fee. If an application is made after the expiry of a licence, the renewed licence will run from its date of issue. Please refer to the TD’s “Fees of Vehicle and Driving Licensing Services” for the latest licence fees of different vehicle classes. 

To save the need to visit the Licensing Office, vehicle owners are encouraged to submit their vehicle licence application through non-counter means, such as using the digital signing function of “iAM Smart+” on the GovHK website or, if appropriate, drop-in boxes and postal. Beginning on 30 December 2024, the TD will issue a notice showing the latest validity period of the vehicle licence to vehicle owners who have successfully renewed their licence, followed by a licence without the expiry date printed thereon. If vehicle particulars such as registration mark and body colour remain unchanged, the vehicle owner can continue to use the same licence after each subsequent renewal. There will be no need to replace the licence displayed on the windscreen of the vehicle. 

Tunnel tolls

In line with the government’s “Smart City” initiative, HKeToll was developed as a free-flow tolling service to enable remote toll payment by toll tags, eliminating the need to stop and queue at toll booths for payment. To set up service, vehicle owners can complete the three-step process through the “HKeToll” app or website: (i) apply for and install a vehicle tag, (ii) sign up for an HKeToll account, and (iii) set up auto-payment means in the account for toll payment. Vehicle owners must pay the toll within 14 business days after passing the toll area; otherwise, an initial surcharge of HK$175 and a further surcharge of $350 will be imposed for any late payment. Before travelling, be sure to use the “HKeMobility” app to check real-time toll information and special traffic arrangements.

Whether your commute involves intra- or inter-district travelling, toll fees may be a recurrent expense to manage. Currently, half of the 22 government-owned road tunnels are tolled, along with the privately-operated Discovery Bay Tunnel. Please refer to “Tunnels & Bridges – Introduction” and “Toll Rates – Toll Rate of Road Tunnels”  from the TD for further details.  To alleviate traffic demand during peak hours, Time-varying Tolls for the city’s three Road Harbour Crossings — namely the Cross Harbour Tunnel, the Eastern Harbour Crossing and the Western Harbour Crossing — have been implemented since December 2023. As a result, vehicle owners passing these tunnels should take note of the different designated time slots and related tolls.

Parking

To enable more accessible driving for vehicle owners, the city provides a diverse array of parking locations. Depending on their needs, drivers can park in public car parks, private car parks, and roadside parking spaces. If you choose to park your vehicle in a public or private car park, Octopus is the most popular and widely accepted method of payment. If roadside parking is a more suitable option, the Transport Department’s “HKeMeter” app offers assistance for parking fees through multiple payment means, as well as remote extension of parking time. 

Fuel and electric charging 

Depending on the type of vehicle you own, fuel or electric charging fees will be a regular expense. At service stations, diesel and petrol vehicle owners can pay via credit card, Octopus, contactless payment, and other methods. 

With the popularisation of electric vehicles (EVs) in Hong Kong, many public parking spaces now provide EV charging services. The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has launched the “EV-Charging Easy” app to help drivers locate and confirm real-time availabilities of EPD-owned chargers more easily. Mobile apps by other EV charging service providers are also available to provide information on public chargers. 

Driving forward

Convenient, accessible, and efficient, Hong Kong’s road systems and technology are designed with the needs of vehicle owners in mind. Moreover, the combination of an efficient transportation network and well-developed road system provides the infrastructure for effortless commute and travel. By managing ownership expenses strategically as well, you can enjoy stress-free driving in the city at all times.