Calls are mounting for mainland Chinese drivers to be required to sit tests in Hong Kong to get their driving qualifications recognised in the city, with official figures recording a sharp rise in applications for local licences in recent years.

Data prepared by the Transport Department for legislators showed that the number of direct issue applications based on mainland driving licences jumped from 20,306 in 2022 to 57,913 in 2023, a rise of 185 per cent.

Last year, 64,575 such applications were made, more than triple the 2022 figure. The department approved almost all of the applications.

In 2022, only 17 were rejected. Twenty applications were turned down in 2023, and 100 were unsuccessful last year.

Successful applicants can get a full licence to drive private cars, light goods vehicles, motorcycles and motor tricycles in Hong Kong.

Liberal Party lawmaker Frankie Yick Chi-ming, who represents the transport sector in the legislature, said: “The big jump is largely the result of an influx of mainland talent in recent years.

“Many of them can drive and already hold driving licences on the mainland. It is only natural that they would like to apply for a full licence here too.”