Types of Traditional Vehicle Registration Marks and Application Procedures

(1) Ordinary vehicle registration mark (excluding registration marks with "HK"/"XX" prefix):  Any person may apply to reserve an ordinary vehicle registration mark which consists of two letters as prefix (including 'AA', 'AB', 'AC' and so on but other than 'AM', 'LC' and 'ZG') to the next series of prefix following the current series being issued (e.g. if the current series being issued is 'ZU', you can reserve a mark in the 'ZV' series) and followed by 1 to 4 numerals not listed under items 1 to 14 of the Schedule 5 of Cap. 374E for auction. This type of mark is transferable together with the vehicle bearing this mark.

If you want to reserve this type of mark , and if it is available for auction, you can submit an application through the online service clicking here or use the chatbot to make general inquiries clicking here. In addition, you may also complete the application form (TD283) and approach the Hong Kong Licensing Office at 3/F, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Hong Kong, to pay a refundable deposit of $1,000. You can obtain an application form from the Hong Kong Licensing Office or Vehicle Records Office of the Transport Department, or download the application form (TD283) from the Internet.

In general, it would take 12 to 18 months or more from the submission of application to the holding of auction. The waiting time may be different or longer if more than one vehicle registration mark are reserved by an applicant. Please note that this type of mark will be arranged for online auction on "E-Auction' platform. Applicants should also register as an E-Auction user first and participate in the online auction. The reserved marks may be sold to other bidders at the reserve price if otherwise. Please visit the 'E-Auction' website for more details.

(2) Ordinary vehicle registration marks starting with "HK"/"XX":  Any person may apply to reserve an ordinary vehicle registration mark which consists of "HK"/ "XX"as prefix and followed by 1 to 4 numerals not listed under items 1 to 14 of the Schedule 5 of Cap. 374E for auction. This type of mark is transferable together with the vehicle bearing the mark.

(3) Special vehicle registration mark:  Any person may apply to reserve a special vehicle registration mark which consists of only a number of 4 digits at most or consists of two letters as prefix (including 'HK', 'XX', 'AA', 'AB', 'AC' and so on but other than 'AM', 'LC' and 'ZG') to the next series of prefix following the current series being issued (e.g. if the current series being issued is 'ZU', you can reserve a mark in the 'ZV' series) and followed by a number listed under items 1 to 14 of the Schedule 5 to Cap. 374E for auction. Special vehicle registration marks are non-transferable. Where the ownership in a motor vehicle with a special vehicle registration mark is transferred, the allocation of the special registration mark shall be cancelled.

If you want to apply to reserve an ordinary vehicle registration mark with "HK"/ "XX" prefix or special vehicle registration mark and if it is available for auction, you should submit an application through the online service by clicking here or use the chatbot to make general inquiries by clicking here. In addition, you may also submit an application by completing the application form (TD585) and sending it to the Vehicle Registration Marks Unit of Transport Department by fax (Fax No.: 3101 5532) or post (Address: 12/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon). There is no deposit required to reserve this type of mark.

In general, it would take 24 months or more from the submission of application for an ordinary vehicle registration mark with 'HK' / 'XX' prefix or a special vehicle registration mark to the holding of auction. If an applicant reserves more than one vehicle registration mark, the waiting time of his/her reserved marks would be different and longer. Please note that these types of mark will continue to be auctioned in physical auction venues by paddle bidding method.

Notes for Attention

[The Department has to take time to process the reserved applications accumulated during the pandemic, the waiting time for auction will become longer. Thank you for your kind attention and understanding. ]

  • You should first of all check whether the mark is available to be reserved for auction by telephoning 2804 2600 or check the availability through online enquiry service by clicking here.

  • You should also check whether that the mark is a special or ordinary registration mark.

  • Your reserved mark will be put on the Waiting List for auction and you will be informed of the auction date by registered mail in due course.
  • All accepted applications cannot be withdrawn.

Change of correspondence address and contact details

All the correspondences concerning the application for reserving a registration mark for auction (including the refund of $1,000 deposit made in reserving an ordinary vehicle registration mark) will be sent to the contact address as indicated on the application form. If you would like to change the correspondence address or other contact details, please submit the completed application form (TD 640) by post or by fax to the Vehicle Registration Marks Unit of Transport Department (Address: 12/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon/ Fax no: 3101 5532).

You may also submit the change request through electronic form, or make use of GovHK's Access Change of Address Service (After starting the application, click "Services by Organisation" in Step 2 and select "Vehicle Registration Marks Auction Applicant [TD03]" under "Transport Department", and then input and submit the required information).

Deposit for Mark Reservation

If the applicant is successful in bidding for the mark on E-Auction platform he has reserved, his $1,000 deposit will be accounted for in the actual sum payable for the mark.

If the applicant is unsuccessful in bidding for the mark on E-Auction platform he has reserved, his $1,000 deposit will be refunded and he will be notified by the Treasury for the refund.

If the reserved registration mark (except registration mark with 'HK' or 'XX' as a prefix, or special registration mark) remains unsold at the online auction, it will be allocated to the applicant at a special fee of $1,000, and the deposit paid will be taken as payment of the special fee. The applicant will be notified of the allocation after the auction by post. Please note that the reserved registration mark can only be assigned to a vehicle registered in the name of the applicant under such circumstances. Also, there will be no refund to the applicant.

Enquiries

If you have any question concerning the application of reserving vehicle registration marks for auction, you may telephone 2804 2600 or write to Vehicle Registration Marks Unit, Transport Department, 12/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon.