Hong Kong drivers will be able to obtain an "e-licence" as early as the end of this year, the government announced on Friday.

The Commissioner for Transport, Angela Lee, said motorists will be required to use the "i-AM Smart" government app to authenticate their identity to access the paperless digital driver's licence.

Officers can then verify and obtain the drivers’ information via the QR code on the digital licence.

Lee believes that the initiative will reduce waiting times at licensing offices.

"The introduction of the additional e-licensing services will greatly facilitate the public and also streamline the process for the different kinds of applications of transport-related and vehicle licences," she said.

Lee also announced that the authorities will roll out "e-licence" for vehicles by the middle of this year.

She added that the Transport Department is planning to establish an online car plate bidding platform so that interested buyers won’t be affected by geographical constraints.

The chief executive of the Hong Kong Automobile Association, Owen Chan, welcomes the government's announcement, saying officials should speed up digitalising more public services.

"In fact, in China or some countries nearby, they provide digital services many years ago. So, Hong Kong is a modern city. I think we need to speed up these services to provide more digital services to our Hong Kong people."