Learning to drive and getting your license in 2025 (with comparison of driving courses under the Continuing Education Fund)

Hong Kong's road test is notoriously strict, and many people fail to pass it on the first try, whether it is an automatic transmission or a stick transmission. If you want to balance the price and quality of the course to get a greater chance of passing, should you choose a driving school with a private instructor? Is it really easier to pass the road test at a driving school? This time, Kwiksure compares the prices and teaching styles of the two, so that you can find the most suitable driving course and get your P license as soon as possible.

Applying for a private car/van? Stick/automatic transmission?

Before you start applying for a driving test, the first thing you need to figure out is whether you want to take the test for a private car (Type 1 license) or a van (Type 2 license)? For novices, it is undoubtedly easier to take the test for a private car, but if you pass the test for a light truck license, you can still drive a private car. But on the contrary, if you take the test for a private car, you cannot drive a light truck. If you are taking the test to make a living, a light truck will be the more mainstream choice.

In addition to considering the type of car, the transmission system is another important factor to consider. Automatic transmission (A license) is of course easier than stick transmission, as you only need to take care of the accelerator and brake pedals. Stick transmission requires flexible coordination of hands and feet, and the driver needs to handle the accelerator, brake pedal and clutch at the same time. Although stick transmission is difficult, after successfully passing the test, you can drive both manual and automatic transmission cars; on the contrary, holding an automatic transmission license will not be able to drive a stick transmission car.

The most common types of vehicles at present are stick-transmission light trucks and automatic transmission private cars. It is easier to find driving school courses or private teachers to teach, and the fees are also cheaper.

Private car/van driving test process

1. Complete the application form, including the driving test application (TD82) and student card application (TD555）
2. Bring the application form and proof of address for the past three months to the Hong Kong Licensing Office or Kowloon Licensing Office to complete the formalities and pay the driving test application and learner license application fees ($510+$548)
3. Receive a written test schedule letter and take the test on the date on the letter. The written test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions, and you need to answer 16 or more questions correctly to pass.
4. After passing the written test, you can immediately apply for a road test schedule
5. Choose a driving school or a private driver to learn to drive. The Transport Department recommends at least 30 hours of road practice.
6. Take the road test according to the date listed on the road test scheduling letter, which is divided into:

• Part B: Mainly tests driving on slopes, parking, parking spaces and U-turns on narrow roads
• Part C: Road test according to the test route set by the Transport Department

7. After passing the test, you will be issued a provisional driving license (P license)

Driving school or private Instructor: which is better?

Advantages and disadvantages of private tutoring

The Transport Department recommends that learners receive at least 30 hours of driving training. Most driving lessons are 45 minutes each, which means that at least 40 lessons are required to meet the Transport Department’s recommendations.

Different private driving instructors have different styles and tempers. Some instructors are more patient and gentle, while others are more aggressive. You can try out the instructor's teaching style to see if it is suitable. Most instructors will charge a one-time fee for ten lessons on the first day, and most payments are made in cash. Students should prepare sufficient tuition fees.

In addition, when calculating the total cost of learning to drive, in addition to calculating the tuition fee for each class, the license test fee, and the registration fee, you should also be aware that the private instructor will charge students a car rental fee before the road test.

Driving School Pros/Cons

The most famous driving schools in Hong Kong include Hong Kong Driving School, New Kwun Tong Driving School, A1 Driving School, Hong Kong Driving School and Li Jian Driving School. The courses offered by different driving schools vary slightly, including fees such as tuition and car rental fees, as well as the number of classes.

In addition, some driving schools offer different package discounts. For example, A1 Driving School offers a package of 15 lessons, each lasting 45 minutes of road practice. This is especially suitable for students who only want to practice for the road test, have passed the written test or have some driving experience.

Driving school price comparison

Private car automatic transmission (last updated: 08/06/2025)

Light Goods Vehicle (MT)  (Last Update: 08/06/2025)

*The above prices do not include car rental, ticket booking ($510) and driver's license ($548). The price is for reference only. The actual price is subject to the latest quotation from the college. Most college courses include free agency exam scheduling.

1. Hong Kong School of Motoring

Hong Kong School of Motoring has its own training grounds where candidates can practice different driving techniques such as parking, turning around on narrow roads, and starting and stopping on slopes. It also provides a dedicated mobile application for candidates to watch clips to familiarize themselves with routes and driving skills, and make appointments for lessons.

The school offers a variety of different examination courses, but the price is also the most expensive in Hong Kong. Students can choose different 'Smart Vocational Courses' according to their needs. The college will try to arrange the same instructor and the same training vehicle for the students, and the instructor will contact and arrange the class time.

According to information from June 2025, the 'Smart' private car automatic transmission course includes 20 45-minute driving practice classes (a total of 15 hours), 16 non-practice projects (a total of about 13.3 hours, including theoretical classes and on-board observation, etc.), and the tuition fee is HK$13,280. The course fee does not include the $2,200 test rental fee, the $548 fee for the Transport Department's learner driver's license application, and the $510 driving test form fee.

Road test location: Ap Lei Chau, Shatin or Yuen Long

Exam Scheduling: Free of Charge

2. Hung Chun Driving School

Hung Chun Driving School has many branches and the class schedule is more flexible. The school offers special packages (for private car courses, for example, there are 7-class, 15-class and 25-class packages), and students can also purchase them one by one. Of course, the package price will be cheaper per class, but there is no online registration for the time being, and students have to go to the branch to register in person.

In addition, classes in Kowloon and the New Territories are usually cheaper than those in Hong Kong Island. Package A for a private car with automatic transmission and 25 lessons costs $8,250, while Package G for the same number of lessons in Hong Kong Island costs $8,500, which is $250 more expensive.

Candidates must pay a test road ticket of $510 and a temporary learner license of $548, a total of $1,058; and a test car rental fee starting from $2,300.

Road test location: Shek Yam, Chak On Road (Pak Wan Street), Pui Ching Road, Chung Yik Street, Happy Valley, Kwai Shing, Tin Kwong Road, Yau Tong or So Kon Po or Wing Hau Street

Exam Scheduling: Free of Charge

3. Lee Kin Driving School

Lee Kin Driving School courses include driving theory courses, covering mechanical knowledge to psychological preparation, preparing for road driving training, and truck stick wave courses are very cost-effective. In addition, the school also provides additional discounts for repeaters, two people traveling together and college students.

Road test locations: Shek Yam, Chak On Road (Pak Wan Street), Pui Ching Road, Chung Yik Street, Happy Valley, Kwai Shing, Tin Kwong Road, Yau Tong or So Kon Po or Wing Hau Street

Exam Scheduling: Free Agency

4. New Kwun Tong Driving School

The road test of the New Kwun Tong Driving School is fixed at the Yau Tong test site, which has a private driving training ground and test site for candidates to practice parking skills such as turning. There are two types of courses: 44 and 40 lessons, depending on the number of road test practice courses.

The current price for online registration is $16,740 for 44 classes and $15,580 for 40 classes.

The course fee does not include the test vehicle rental fee of $2,100 (first mid-term test and road test), the application fee of $548 for the Transport Department’s learner driver’s license and the test form fee of $510.

Road test location: Yau Tong

Exam Scheduling: Free of Charge

5. Good Luck Motoring School

Good Luck Motoring School allows candidates to take more than two lessons at once, with 25 lessons for trucks at $7,950 and 25 lessons for private cars at $8,200. This does not include the $548 learner driver's license fee, the $510 Transport Department test form fee and the $2,300 test vehicle rental fee.

Road test locations: Shek Yam, Chak On Road (Pak Wan Street), Pui Ching Road, Chung Yik Street, Happy Valley, Kwai Shing, Tin Kwong Road, Yau Tong or So Kon Po or Wing Hau Street

Exam Scheduling: Free of Charge

6. A1 Driving School

A1 provides 15 lessons of road practice courses for automatic/stick-gear private cars and light trucks, which are especially suitable for candidates who just want to practice. However, it is recommended that candidates do their best and have at least some driving experience before enrolling in such courses.

Road test locations: Shek Yam, Chak On Road (Pak Wan Street), Pui Ching Road, Chung Yik Street, Happy Valley, Kwai Shing, Tin Kwong Road, Yau Tong or So Kon Po or Wing Hau Street

Exam Scheduling: Free of Charge

7. Easy Pass Driving School

Easy Pass Driving School offers 8+1 and 20+1 private car automatic transmission courses at HK$5,350 and HK$9,450 respectively. The fee does not include the learner driver's license fee of HK$548 and the scheduling fee of HK$510, but does include the test car time and test car rental fee.

Road test locations: Shek Yam, Chak On Road (Pak Wan Street), Pui Ching Road, Chung Yik Street, Happy Valley, Kwai Shing, Tin Kwong Road, Yau Tong or So Kon Po or Wing Hau Street

Exam Scheduling: Free of Charge

Comparison of Driving Courses for Application for Continuing Education Fund (Private Car)

There are currently three schools in Hong Kong that offer Continuing Education Fund (CEF) driving courses, namely the Hong Kong School of Motoring, Lee Kin Driving School and the Container Transportation Employee General Union. However, it should be noted that even if you enroll in these courses, candidates still need to pay part of the tuition fees themselves, and the car rental fees, learning license and examination form fees are not eligible for CEF funding.For more details, please refer to the special topic on learning to drive under the Continuing Education Fund by Fast & Secure.

Exam scheduling process, procedures and required documents

Schedule

You need to go to the Licensing Office to apply and pay the fee.Driving test application form TD8, Learner driver license TD555 and proof of residential address within the last three months. After confirming the application, the candidate will receive a written test scheduling letter and the 'Road User Code'.

written examination

About 1 month later, you will have to go to the Transport Department in Cheung Sha Wan to take the written test. Candidates must bring the written test scheduling letter and ID card to the test site. The test time is 20 minutes, with a total of 20 questions. Candidates must answer 16 questions correctly or more to pass. After completing the written test, the Transport Department will distribute the road test scheduling letter on the spot, stating the time and location of the road test.

Road test

The road test consists of two parts, Part B and Part C. Applicants are required to bring their road test schedule letter, ID card, learner license plate and learner handbook to the test site. Before the test begins, they must undergo a vision test (reading license plates from 23 meters away) and then take the Part B test. Part B tests applicants on U-turns, driving on slopes, parking and parking spaces. Part C is a street driving test. Applicants who pass the test can apply for a provisional driver's license (P license), and can exchange for a full driver's license if they do not violate the law within one year.

Frequently asked questions

When taking the driving test, should I choose stick transmission or automatic transmission? Is it better for a private car or a truck?

For novices, it is easier to pass the test for private cars (No. 1 license plate) and automatic transmission (A license plate); however, if you pass the test for light trucks (No. 2 license plate) with a stick-type license plate, you can still drive an automatic transmission private car. If the candidate intends to make a living from this, stick-type light trucks will be the more mainstream choice. At present, the most common are stick-type light trucks and automatic transmission private cars. It is easier to find driving school courses or private teachers to teach, and the fees are also cheaper.

Which is better, a driving school or a private instructor?

Driving schools provide students with one-stop services such as written tests and license plate registration. Some schools have their own test sites and routes, with fewer foreign vehicles, which is relatively convenient and easier to pass, but the price is generally more expensive. Although private teachers are cheaper, they do not have their own test sites and routes, and the difficulty is relatively high. Candidates also need to find a suitable teacher and arrange to register for the written test and road test by themselves.