Vehicle Scrapping FAQ (2026 Latest Edition)

Generally speaking, "scrapping a car" means handing the vehicle over to a scrap dealer holding a valid Business Registration Certificate for dismantling, and obtaining the "Vehicle Scrapping Certificate" (commonly known as the Scrapping Certificate) used for cancelling vehicle registration. "Vehicle recycling" is a broader term — handling the vehicle in the most appropriate way based on its condition, which may involve parts resale, metal recycling, or whole-vehicle export. After you tell us about the vehicle, we will recommend the most suitable option and explain the valuation factors before quoting.

Many car owners choose to first complete the vehicle handover with the scrapping company, obtain all necessary documents (including the Scrapping Certificate), and then go to the Transport Department within 15 days to handle both vehicle registration cancellation and licence plate retention in one visit. Plate retention requires form TD 129 (Application to Transfer or Retain a Vehicle Registration Mark) and costs $560; the Certificate of Retention is issued on the spot and is valid for 12 months (not renewable). Note: vehicle registration cancellation can be handled at any of the four licensing offices (Hong Kong, Kowloon, Kwun Tong, Sha Tin), but plate retention is limited to the Hong Kong (Admiralty) or Kowloon (Cheung Sha Wan) office — book ahead. The key is ensuring all documents are complete. We will explain in detail what to do next during the handover.

Cancelling vehicle registration itself carries no handling fee — the Transport Department's Fee Schedule for Vehicle and Driving Licensing Services contains no such charge. However, retaining a licence plate costs an additional $560, and a duplicate Vehicle Registration Document or Vehicle Licence costs $60 each. Actual fees are subject to the Transport Department's latest fee schedule.

Yes. Under Transport Department rules, if on the date you notify cancellation your Vehicle Licence (Road Licence) still has 60 days or more remaining, you are entitled to a partial licence fee refund (legal basis: Sixth Schedule, Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations). The refund is calculated as annual licence fee × 0.24% × remaining valid days. The refund is arranged together with the cancellation of vehicle registration — no separate refund form is required — and is paid by crossed cheque from the Treasury to the registered vehicle owner.

We don't recommend interpreting it that way. A vehicle's registration can be cancelled because its licence has been expired for more than two years — but that does not mean your paperwork is done: to license the vehicle again you must go through re-registration (first file form TD 22 with the original identity document and the original Registration Book at the Hong Kong Licensing Office counter 1 for verification, then arrange a vehicle examination), which is far more involved than a normal renewal. And until the registration is properly cancelled in accordance with the rules, you remain liable for the vehicle. We recommend dealing with your situation as soon as possible to avoid future disputes.

You must apply for a duplicate first: complete form TD 151 and submit it in person, or through a representative authorised by a letter of authorisation, at any Transport Department licensing office. The duplicate costs $60 (where the registered owner is a company, the representative must produce the letter of authorisation and the Company Registration Certificate). Once the document is replaced, proceed with cancelling the registration and the other procedures. You can WhatsApp us explaining your situation, and we'll provide the corresponding preparation checklist and notes.

There is a chance it could affect the price, as whether the vehicle can start impacts the scope of inspection and assessment. However, many "dead battery" situations are actually manageable issues. The most important thing is that you clearly state the vehicle condition from the outset — we will explain the valuation factors based on the actual situation first, reducing the chance of changes on arrival.

The chassis number and VIN are the vehicle's identification data. If there is any doubt about them, or if they have been altered, we recommend pausing any ordinary sale or purchase and checking the possible routes directly with the Transport Department. You can send us the details and photos first, and we'll advise on the next steps.

Yes. For Transport Department procedures handled by a representative, the official requirement is that the representative produces a copy of the car owner's identity document and the representative's own identity document (original). Be aware of the risks, though: prices being driven down, incomplete document processes, or no follow-up after handover. We recommend car owners deal directly with the processing party as much as possible and ensure document arrangements before and after handover are clear.

At handover you generally need: the owner's identification, the original Registration Book, the original Road Licence (Vehicle Licence) if still valid, and the car keys. To cancel the vehicle registration at the Transport Department afterwards, bring: the original Scrapping Certificate, the original Registration Book, the original Road Licence (if still valid), the owner's identification document and a completed form TD 184 — submitted within 15 days of the vehicle being scrapped (all four licensing offices accept submissions). If you are also retaining the plate, prepare form TD 129, the original Registration Book, proof of address (original or copy) and the original Scrapping Certificate — this can only be done at the Hong Kong (Admiralty) or Kowloon (Cheung Sha Wan) office.

The most common thing is clearing out the car: Autotoll tags, parking cards, petrol cards, documents, personal belongings. It's very troublesome to retrieve things after handover is complete, so we recommend doing one final check of seat crevices, the glove box, and sun visor areas 5 minutes before handover.

Within 15 days of the vehicle being scrapped, take the required documents to a Transport Department licensing office to cancel the vehicle registration; if you are retaining the plate, both can be handled together at the Hong Kong (Admiralty) or Kowloon (Cheung Sha Wan) office. We will provide clear steps and a document checklist so you won't miss anything.

Apply for a duplicate with form TD 151 — $60 per copy — at any Transport Department licensing office (where the registered owner is a company, the representative must produce the Company Registration Certificate; a copy certified by a registered accountant or solicitor is also accepted). WhatsApp us first to tell us what you've lost, how urgent it is and what you want to process — we'll give you the most concise preparation direction.

You cannot. Under the law, an owner may only notify the Transport Department to cancel the registration where the vehicle has been dismantled, destroyed or permanently removed from Hong Kong. Report the theft to the police immediately and keep the police documents (report card or report memorandum). If the Vehicle Licence has 60 days or more remaining, you can apply for a partial licence fee refund at any licensing office with the police documents, the original Registration Book, a written request for the refund and your identification document; the Treasury pays the refund to the registered owner by crossed cheque.

Yes. Under the law, a registered owner or licence holder must notify the Transport Department of an address change within 72 hours; if you cannot provide valid proof of address at the same time, the department may allow 14 days from the date of the request to supply it (the proof must have been issued within three months of submission). You can notify by post, through GovHK, or with form TD 559. Failing to comply without reasonable excuse is an offence punishable by a Level 1 fine. Refund cheques are issued by the Treasury to the registered owner, so keeping your registered details correct matters.

Under the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374E), where an application for a licence is received after the previous licence has expired — unless the Commissioner for Transport is satisfied the vehicle was not used on a road during that period — the fee includes a surcharge for the unlicensed period counted from the expiry date. The surcharge is 0.33% of the appropriate annual licence fee per day (rounded up to the nearest 10 cents; the annual licence fee excludes the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Fund levy). Note that paying the surcharge does not mean the vehicle is licensed again — the new licence takes effect from its date of issue.