Hong Kong Drivers Can Renew Licences in 1 Day by Year-End

Hong Kong drivers will soon be able to renew their vehicle licences within one day by the end of the year, thanks to a new AI-driven system. The current processing time for vehicle licence renewals is up to 10 working days, but the Easy Licence system is expected to auto-approve more than 90% of online renewals.

The Easy Licence Application Approval system will use large language models to automatically recognise, cross-check and verify documents submitted with online applications. This will not only speed up the renewal process but also improve the efficiency of transport services and traffic management.

In addition to vehicle licence renewals, the system will also handle applications under the Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles and Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles schemes. The department targets an automatic approval rate of more than 50% for these schemes, as well as a 20% reduction in manual processing time.

The adoption of AI technology is part of the government's efforts to streamline its services. The AI Efficacy Enhancement Team, set up after the 2025 Policy Address, will oversee the implementation of the Easy Licence system. The team aims to coordinate the government's adoption of AI and advance the goals of the Transport Strategy Blueprint announced in February.

## Why it matters The new system is a significant step forward in the government's digital transformation. With 63% of international driving permit applications and 51% of full driving licence renewal applications already being submitted online, the demand for efficient digital services is clear. By leveraging AI technology, the government can improve the user experience, reduce processing times, and increase productivity.

The introduction of the Easy Licence system is expected to have a positive impact on motorists in Hong Kong, who will benefit from faster and more convenient services. As the government continues to adopt AI technology, we can expect to see further improvements in various aspects of public services.