a. General
For the purpose of the issue of driving licences, motor vehicles are divided into 13 classes, the most common ones being private cars, motorcycles and light goods vehicles. A person may drive a vehicle on the road only when holding a licence for the class to which such vehicle belongs. Driving without the right licence will commit the driver to a fine of $5,000 and imprisonment for 3 months upon a first conviction, and to a fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for 6 months upon the second or subsequent conviction (sections 42(1) and 42(4) of the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap.374 of the Laws of Hong Kong)).
Even if one has obtained the relevant driving licence, one may commit another offence unless one has physical possession of the licence at the time of driving. According to section 42(2) of the Road Traffic Ordinance(Cap.374 of the Laws of Hong Kong), “no person shall drive a motor vehicle on a road unless he has with him at the time he is driving his driving licence”.
Persons contravening this section will be liable to a fine of $1,000 upon a first conviction, and to a fine of $2,000 upon the second or subsequent conviction (section 42(5) of the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap.374 of the Laws of Hong Kong)).
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