Posted by
Snow Rose
18 yrs ago
Am getting a bit confused about whether helpers can drive or not. Can anyone help me out on this?
On the other thread, it said that special permission can be obtained from the Immigration Department but the DH is only allowed to drive the kiddies to school and take the car to the supermarket. She would not be allowed to driver her employers about, for example.
My question is, what about people who hire a driver (for example, from this website) - are those drivers allowed to drive the employers around? Are they on a different contract? If I wanted my DH to drive me to work, could I just change her over to that different contract?
My DH is quite interested in learning to drive, and I'd just like to be sure of my facts before she starts getting her hopes up. For our family, if she's not allowed to drive my hubby and me, it wouldn't be worth it. Not only that, I would not want her to be driving my kids around without me in the car straight after passing her test. Hong Kong island is not an easy place for a beginner driver.
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My understanding is that if you employ a DH then she can do the daily chores, drive the kiddies to school and go to the supermarket.
If you hire a Driver that is a different contract, and that is all they are allowed to do. Drive you around.
There may be another contract to allow them to do both, but I dont think so.
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TC
18 yrs ago
That's my understanding, too.
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TC
18 yrs ago
tauma,
In general that's true...but not so in the case of a FDH driving as part of his/her employment.
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TC
18 yrs ago
A FDH is permitted to drive while in HK provided that (a) he/she has a valid licence, and (b) such driving is NOT a part of his/her regular employment as a domestic helper - unless either (i) it is running the kids to school or getting to/from the supermarket, or (ii) express permission has been given by the Immigration Department. If a FDH is caught driving as part of his/her normal employment and either (i) it is NOT things like school or the supermarket, or 9ii) the ID has not given express permission then it's a straight out breach of his/her visa (and employment contract also, I think) conditions.
So to summarise:
(1) Without special permission from the ID no FDH is allowed to drive as part of his/her employment.
(2) With that special permission the FDH is allowed to drive to school and the supermarket etc, but is still NOT allowed to drive the employer to/from the employer's place of employment.
If you think I'm wrong then go and ask the Immigration Department - or even check its website.
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TC
18 yrs ago
As one who tries to abide by the laws of whatever country I'm in I'm just pointing out the law. It's up to anyone else if they choose not to abide by the law. Each of us has to face the consequences of our actions.
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Just to say thanks for the replies and information. So those male helpers who advertise themselves as able to drive (for example on AsiaExpat) can actually only drive the kids to school and go to the Wellcome, right?
A bit disappointing for my own DH, I think, as there's not much point in her learning to drive just for that, but anyway I appreciate the replies.
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