Licence applicants to provide verified e-contact means to TD starting from November 18
The Transport Department (TD) today (November 1) reminded members of the public that, from November 18, 2024, applicants for the new issue or renewal of 21 driving and vehicle licences must provide and verify a Hong Kong mobile phone number or email address as an e-contact means (ECM) for receiving electronic messages issued by the Hong Kong Police Force and the TD in future, in preparation for the Traffic e-Enforcement System to be implemented gradually in the first half of 2025.
Starting from November 18:
"Online applications, instant verification": The TD encourages the public to submit licence applications online, so that they can provide and instantly verify the ECM usinga one-time password (OTP) during the application process, thereby saving time and enjoying convenience;
"Applications in paper form, verification via designated platform": If a paper application is necessary, the applicant must provide and verify the ECM viaOTP onthe TD's designated online platform within three months prior to application submission, and provide the same verified ECM in the application form before submission. The designated online platform will be launched at 10am on November 4;
The verified ECM will only be updated inthe applicant's records of driving licence and/or all vehicle(s) registered under his/her name after the application concerned has been approved to ensure that it is accurately updated;
If an ECM cannot be provided or verified, or if the ECM provided is inconsistent with the verification record, the application cannot be processed;
For any change of ECM, the applicant mustnotify the TD within 72 hours of the change through the online services in GovHK or by submitting form TD559;
Holders of licences thathave not yet expired do not need to rush toprovideand verifythe ECM early; and
Driving licence holders who have not provided an ECM to the TD before are also welcome to provide and verify their ECM through the online services in GovHK or by submitting form TD559.
A spokesman for the TD said, "Providing a frequently used and verified ECM is of utmost importance. If the Hong Kong mobile phone number or email address is incorrect or not frequently used, the licence holder will not be able to receive notifications issued by the Police and the TD, which may result in e-Tickets and tunnel tolls not being paid timely, and may need to bear the legal responsibilities such as penalties or surcharges. Applicants must ensure that their Hong Kong mobile phone number or email address is correct. If different ECMs are provided or verified at different times, the latest record will replace the old one, rendering the original ECM invalid."
Applicants providing a Hong Kong mobile phone number as their ECM should note that the TD has participated in the SMS Sender Registration Scheme under the Office of the Communications Authority. SMS messages issued by the TD will bear the ID "#TDeContact" with the prefix "#" for easy authentication. The TD will not send SMS messages or emails with hyperlinks.
From September 2024, the TD has held over 10 briefings for the transport sector, including the goods vehicle, taxi, public light bus and non-franchised bus trades, as well as stakeholders covering driving schools, vehicle dealers and financial institutions, which handle first registration of new vehicles and application for vehicle licences for their clients, to brief them on the new legal requirements regarding provision and verification of ECM. The TD will issue letters in batches to holders whose licences will soon expire, informing them of the detailed steps for providing and verifying an ECM. The TD will also deploy service ambassadors at its four Licensing Offices and the Cross Boundary Unit from November 4 to assist the public in submitting applications and verifying their ECM.
The passage of the Electronic Traffic Enforcement (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2023 by the Legislative Council on June 19, 2024, provides a legal basis for the Police to serve fixed penalty notices against traffic offences or contraventions by electronic means; it also requires registered owners of vehicles, holders of various types of licences and permits, and holders of driving licences to provide the TD with their ECM in their applications. The Government then published in the Gazette that relevant provisions on collecting ECM would be implemented on November 18.
The public may refer to the TD's thematic webpage, HKeMobility mobile application and Agent T Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AgentT.hk), or call the hotline at 2804 2600 for details.
Licence applicants to provide verified e-contact means to TD starting from November 18 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Licence applicants to provide verified e-contact means to TD starting from November 18 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Licence applicants to provide verified e-contact means to TD starting from November 18 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Building Safety Symposium 2024 held
More than 400 building professionals, property management practitioners, government officials and academics attended the Building Safety Symposium organised by the Buildings Department (BD) at the Y-Theatre, Youth Square, Chai Wan today (November 1) to exchange views on the application of innovative technologies to enhance building safety as well as the safety of construction works.
Speaking at the symposium, the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said as a regulator, the Government must provide a legal framework that meets the needs of the society. The Government is conducting a comprehensive review of the Buildings Ordinance in three major areas, including encouraging owners to expedite building repairs; rationalising the enforcement policy on unauthorised building works (UBWs); and regulating more effectively the quality and safety of building works. The main approach of the review is to increase penalties while lowering prosecution threshold and rationalising enforcement priorities. A public consultation on specific proposals is expected to be launched by the end of this year, with relevant legislative amendment proposals to be submitted in the first half of 2026. In addition, the Government has actively adopted innovative technologies to enhance enforcement and work efficiency, including using new technologies such as drones and artificial intelligence to speed up building inspections, strengthening enforcement against UBWs and defective signboards, and enhancing site safety. The Government will also soon put forward elderly-friendly building design proposals to tie in with the aging in place policy. To promote Building Information Modelling technology, the Government has announced a roadmap for the preparation and submission of building plans, which is generally supported by the industry, with a view to making it mandatory for the private sector to adopt the technology in 2029. The Government will continue to work with the industry to make preparations.
In her welcoming speech, the Director of Buildings, Ms Clarice Yu, said that regarding the adoption of innovative technologies, the BD will continue to implement and enhance the Electronic Submission Hub and commence the consultancy study and consult stakeholders on the full adoption of Building Information Modeling by the private sector for preparation and submission of plans for the BD's approval. The BD has introduced mandatory measures since July this year requiring the adoption of two alert systems of the Smart Site Safety System for superstructure works with an estimated construction cost over $30 million, and is exploring the feasibility of extending the systems to other types of works; and to use drones and artificial intelligence for regularly conducting special inspections on the external walls of higher-risk buildings. All these measures are the BD's efforts to leverage smart technologies to facilitate building design and construction, enhance site safety, and promote preventive maintenance of existing buildings.
Ms Yu said that the BD will continue to apply its professional expertise and innovative approach and work together with the industry to create a safer and sustainable built and living environment.
The Building Safety Symposium is a highlight event of Building Safety Weeks 2024. The theme of this year's symposium is "Building for Our Future: Smart Technologies for Building Safety and Sustainability". In the symposium, a number of local experts spoke on the following topics:
• Extreme Weather in Hong Kong - the Past and the Future;
• The 2°C Impact on Building Safety;
• Smart Management for Safe Construction;
• The Role of Modern Technologies in Construction Safety;
• Promoting Elderly-friendly Building Design;
• Application of New Quality Productive Forces in Enhancing Safety and Sustainability in Building Management;
• Transforming Public Housing Management with Smart Technologies; and
• Enhancing Building Safety in Hong Kong: Challenges and Effective Strategies.
In addition to the above speeches, the symposium also featured two panel discussion sessions. An innovative technology booth was set up in the venue's foyer to demonstrate how the BD utilises drones and artificial intelligence to assist in inspecting the external walls of old buildings.
An award ceremony for the Exploring Livable Communities - Short Video Competition under the Building Safety Pioneer Programme and the Building Facade Design Competition was also held today at the same venue. The two competitions aimed to encourage students and members of the public to participate in building a more liveable city and to understand that building maintenance and repair are closely related to daily life.
In addition, the BD will hold the Building Safety Carnival on November 9 and 10; and November 16 and 17, at Tuen Mun Town Plaza and Olympic City 2, respectively. This carnival will serve as the finale of this year's Building Safety Weeks, allowing the public to acquire proper building safety knowledge in a fun and engaging way through game booths.
Building Safety Symposium 2024 held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Building Safety Symposium 2024 held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
