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:

1. No driving-offense points were on record on the day of completion of the driving course; or
2. The driver has already incurred 15 driving-offense points or more; or
3. 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.

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.