TNAG-0955-FCO40-1174-Legislation-for-traffic-on-roads-in-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 40

CONFIDENTIAL

機密

(46)

F discussion

onth December 1980

Акк

izalı

*

09 DEC 1980

XCC(80)134

Copy No....of 40

MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Aw 9/12

Road Traffic Ordinance

(Chapter 220)

ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING LICENCES) (AMENDMENT)

REGULATIONS 1980

DIRECT ISSUE OF HONG KONG DRIVING LICENCES

ISSUE OF TEMPORARY DRIVING LICENCES

PJ8.12

Introduction

Paragraph (a) of the proviso to regulation 10(1) of the Road Traffic (Driving Licences) Regulations provides that the Commissioner for Transport may issue a Hong Kong driving licence without an applicant having to undergo a driving test, if the applicant satisfies him that, some time within three years prior to the date on which application is made, he held a driving licence issued by a competent authority in any country listed in the Fifth Schedule to the Regulations, allowing him to drive motor vehicles of the class or description which he would be authorised to drive by the licence for which he has applied.

2

Although most applications for the direct issue of Hong Kong driving licences come from the holders of private car.. driving licences, an increasing number of goods vehicle driving licences are being obtained by direct issue. Just under 1,000 direct issue goods vehicle licences were issued in 1979 compared with around 300 in 1977. While it is thought acceptable that holders of private car (and motor cycle) driving licences issued in countries listed in the Fifth Schedule to the Road Traffic (Driving Licences) Regulations should continue to be eligible for the direct issue of a Hong Kong driving licence for these classes of vehicles, it is considered, primarily on safety grounds, that the same privilege should no longer be extended to licensees to drive public service vehicles, private omnibuses and goods vehicles over 45 cwt.

I Countries in the Fifth Schedule

Proposed restrictions on the direct issue of Hong Kong goods vehicle and public service vehicle driving licences

3

Because of the greater risks to public safety inherent in the use of heavy goods, public service vehicles and private omnibuses, high standards are set in Hong Kong for the testing and licensing of those who wish to drive such

G.S. 166

CONFIDENTIAL

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