
Which driving improvement courses are preferred in 2022? We compare the exam contents, fees and locations
If a driver has 10 points deducted from their driving license within two years, or is convicted of a serious traffic offense (such as speeding, dangerous driving, or drink driving), he or she will be legally required to take a driving improvement course at a designated driving improvement school. But what exactly does the course teach? Which driving improvement school charges the lowest fees? Kwiksure will answer all these questions today.
Driving improvement courses - who these are for and the time limit for taking them
Under Hong Kong law, the following drivers are required to take a driving improvement course:
(a) A person convicted of the following serious traffic offenses (under the Road Traffic Ordinance, Cap. 374):
- Causing death by dangerous driving (Section 36);
- Causing grievous bodily harm by dangerous driving (Section 36A);
- Dangerous driving (Section 37);
- Drink driving offenses (Sections 39, 39A, 39B, and 39C);
- Drug driving offenses (Sections 39J, 39K, 39L, 39O(1), and 39S);
- Speeding (Section 41) where the driver exceeded the speed limit by more than 45 km/h; or
- Racing or conducting speed trials (Section 55).
Generally speaking, traffic offenders are required to attend a driving improvement course within the time limit as ordered by the court.
(b) Repeat offenders who have accumulated 10 or more driving offense points within a two-year period. Offenders will be required to take the course for every 10 points accumulated, and they must attend the course within three months of the date of notification issued by the Transport Department (TD).
If the driver fails to attend a driving improvement course within the specified time period in accordance with the court order or the notice from the TD, the maximum penalty is a fine of HKD $10,000 and two months' imprisonment, and the person concerned will still be required to take the course. The TD will also refuse to issue, re-issue, or renew a driving license to a person who fails to comply with a court order or a TD notification and take a driving improvement course.
Driving improvement course points deduction mechanism
If the driver completes the entire driving improvement course and performs satisfactorily (including attending all classes on time, paying attention in class, actively participating in class and group discussions and activities, and passing the written test at the end of the course), the driver will have 3 points deducted from his driving-offense points total. Pay attention though: any student who is late or absent for more than 15 minutes will be deemed not to have completed the course.
In addition, if the driver falls under the following descriptions, even if he completes the course, he or she will not get points deducted:
- No driving-offense points were on record on the day of completion of the driving course; or
- The driver has already incurred 15 driving-offense points or more; or
- 3 points have already been deducted within the past two years for completing a driving improvement course.
Comparing 16 designated driving improvement schools (with fees & locations)
The following are the fees and contact methods of the 16 designated driving improvement schools in Hong Kong. Under the latest rules of the TD, a standard fee of HKD $450 will be charged by all schools.
Furthermore, the driving improvement course is divided into two sessions for a total of 8 hours. Students must complete both sessions at the same school, and must complete both sessions and pass the end-of-course written test within two months from the date of the first session.
School |
Address |
For inquiries |
4/F, Cameron Commercial Centre, 458-468 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong |
2269 0233 |
|
15/F, Mongkok Harbour Centre, 638 Shanghai Street, Kowloon |
2780 2272 |
|
5/F, Golden Hill Commercial Building, 39-41 Argyle Street, Kowloon |
2384 8301 |
|
Unit 3, 1/F, Waga Commercial Centre, No. 99 Wellington Street, Hong Kong |
6748 7855 |
|
Block A, G/F, Mun Sun Logistic Centre, 3B Hung Cheung Road, Tuen Mun, N.T. |
6748 7855 |
|
5/F, Boss Commercial Centre,28 Ferry Street, Jordan, Kowloon |
9222 4565 |
|
Unit 41, 42 and 43, 2/F Houston Centre, 63 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui Kowloon |
2442 2882 |
|
Shop 2036, Level 2, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong |
2577 9921 |
|
Unit 5, 21/F, Entrepot Centre, 117 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon |
2389 3122 |
|
Shop No. 16, 1/F, Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon |
2413 6222 |
|
Unit 1618, 16/F, Nan Fung Centre, 264-298 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan, N.T. |
2691 5757 |
|
Unit 905, 9/F, Chong Fat Commercial Building, 266-268 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon |
2341 1322 |
|
Unit 15A, 15th Floor, Hody Commercial Building, 6-6A Hart Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon |
6888 3829 |
|
Shop 2013, 2/F, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong |
2527 7799 |
|
Room H, 5/F, Cheong Ming Building, 86 Argyle Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon |
2392 8700 |
|
The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions Occupational Retraining Centre Limited |
5/F, Eastern Commercial Building, 397 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong |
2893 3112 |
Driving improvement course exam contents
The driving improvement course has used the teaching mode of similar overseas courses as reference, and was designed with the trend of traffic accidents and actual needs of Hong Kong in mind. Various driving knowledge and skills are explained in a classroom setting. At the same time, additional traffic conditions and case studies have been introduced, and students are encouraged to have interactive learning and discussions among themselves.
The driving improvement course is divided into twelve modules, and the content usually includes traffic violations, hazards and how to deal with them, time, speed and distance, distractions, fatigue, driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, handling emergencies and accidents, etc.
The end-of-course written test will be conducted during the last 30 minutes of the course. A total of 20 multiple-choice questions will be present, and students must correctly answer at least 12 questions (i.e. 60%) in order to pass. Students must first attend and complete the course before they can take the test.
