Hot plate: The first invitation exercise of the Personalised Vehicle Registration Marks Scheme will launch April 1.

The first invitation exercise of the Personalised Vehicle Registration Marks Scheme will launch April 1, the Transport Department says. The first auction for the approved applications is planned for September.

Applications are invited for the allocation of registration marks upon sale by auction. Completed forms should reach the department by May 2. If there are more than 1,000 applications then those to be considered will be selected by lot.

Application forms and guidance notes can be downloaded from the department's website from tomorrow and are available at it's Licensing Offices.

Application rules

Each applicant can submit only one application in each exercise. If more than one application is submitted by an applicant, none of their applications will be processed.

Applications can be put in the drop-in box at any department Licensing Office or posted to the Vehicle Registration Marks Unit, Transport Department, Room 506-508, 5/F, Harcourt House, 39 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai. No payment of deposit is required at this stage.

After the submission of applications, applicants cannot withdraw the application or change arrangements of the registration marks as stated in their application forms.

Upon receipt of an application, the department will send an acknowledgement to the applicant by ordinary post. Applicants who have not received any acknowledgement within two weeks after submission of their applications can call 2804 2600.

Selected applications

After selection by lot, the department will notify applicants if their applications are selected. The selected applicants will need to pay a deposit if their proposed registration marks are selected and can meet the basic combination requirements. 

A list of application numbers of the selected applicants will also be posted on the department's website and the notice boards of department Licensing Offices, and published in Ming Pao and the South China Morning Post. Applicants who have not received any notification or who do not find their application numbers on the list should regard their applications as unsuccessful.

Upon receipt of the deposit, the Commissioner for Transport will determine if an application should be approved or rejected, with the assistance of a vetting committee. Auctions will be arranged for approved applications and the department will announce auction details in newspapers.