There are those who collect toys, bags and shoes. Then there is TVB actor Danny Hung, who apparently enjoys collecting driving licences.

Earlier this year, the 28-year-old actor revealed that he had actually obtained a taxi driver's licence in 2023.

"A lot of people have been asking me if I'm switching careers to become a taxi driver. All I can say is that the taxi driver's licence is real, it's not a prop," he wrote on Instagram. "But I've never actually used it."

Believe it or not, that's just one of the 10 driving licences the actor holds.

He currently owns licences for private cars, light goods vehicles, motorcycles, private light buses, public light buses, taxis, private buses, medium goods vehicles, heavy goods vehicles and motor tricycles — all of which he passed on his first attempt.

He has also passed the public bus driving test but has yet to complete the required training course. Danny has also taken a few lessons for articulated vehicles, which he described as particularly challenging, but has not had enough time to practise driving them.

At a recent event, the actor, who has also obtained the Construction Site Safety Green Card, explained why he has become so invested in earning a wide range of licences and certifications.

"It's because I'm filming a programme related to construction sites. Going forward, I'd also like to get a fitness instructor certification and a diving licence to continue improving myself," he said.

Danny, however, dismissed suggestions that he is preparing for a career change.

"I want to keep working as an actor. But since I graduated from a construction engineering programme and have that academic background, they invited me to host this construction-site programme," he explained.

"When I chose that major back then, I felt Hong Kong's property market and infrastructure sectors had great prospects, so there would always be jobs available. I was being very practical."

He stressed that his growing collection of qualifications has nothing to do with financial hardship or needs to take on side jobs.

"Learning never ends. I simply want to learn more things. I imagine myself as Tom Cruise," he quipped.

Danny hopes to take to the skies as well.

"Yes, I'd really like to get a helicopter pilot's licence, but it costs hundreds of thousands of dollars. That's a goal I want to work toward."

Speaking about his finances, Danny said he, of course, hopes to earn more money so he can give back to his family.

"I'd also like to buy a home and have my own space to live with my dog," he said.

He admitted that he experienced financial difficulties even after entering the entertainment industry, though he declined to reveal how much money remained in his bank account at the time.

"I didn't know how to manage my finances. I'd travel to Europe and spend first without thinking. I'd go out with friends, eat out and buy cameras," he recalled.

"Now I know how to save money, and I save a lot — more than half of my monthly income. I also invest in stocks for steady growth because cash loses value over time."

These days, the frugal star rarely eats out and is reluctant to spend money on unnecessary purchases.

"Making money is really hard, especially given the current economic environment," he lamented.

Photos: Danny Hung/Instagram