This article provides a guide that shows you how to become a driver in Hong Kong, from ways to learn driving, how to make a test appointment, to application for the probationary or full driving licence.

You can have driving training in a government designated driving school or with a private driving instructor. There are 4 designated driving schools in Hong Kong, which are situated in Shatin, Yuen Long, Ap Lei Chau and Kwun Tong respectively.

• List of driving instructors (private cars and light goods vehicles) (pdf file)
  http://www.td.gov.hk/filemanager/en/content_110/group%201%20di%20name%20list.pdf
• List of driving instructors (other vehicles) (pdf file)
  http://www.td.gov.hk/filemanager/en/content_110/group%202%20&%203%20di%20name%20list.pdf

The Transport Department recommends learner drivers without any driving experience to have at least 30 hours of training before taking the test.

• More about driver training
  http://www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/frequently_asked_questions/driver_licensing/index.html#a10

You have to apply for a learner’s driving licence before you can learn to drive a vehicle (except taxi and special purpose vehicle).

For private car and light goods vehicle:

• You have to be at least 18 years old; and
• Complete the application form TD555 and submit to any licensing office.

For motor cycle:

• You have to be at least 18 years old;
• Enrol with a designated driving school for a mandatory training course to acquire the basic skills to manoeuvre a motor cycle; and
• Take the written test and the basic driving skill test; then
• Complete the application form TD555 and submit to any licensing office.

For commercial vehicles:

• You have to be at least 21 years old;
• Hold a valid full driving licence to drive a private car or light goods vehicle for at least 3 years or a valid full driving licence issued after the completion of probationary driving period to drive a private car or light goods vehicle for at least 2 years immediately preceding your application; and
• Complete the application form TD556 and submit it by post to Transport Department, P.O. Box No. 79, Shatin Central Post Office.

You are reminded to read the other requirements for obtaining a learner’s driving licence as stated in the application form. You may also refer to the links below for more information.

• Requirements for obtaining learner’s driving licence
  http://www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/licences_and_permits/vehicle_and_driving_licences/how_to_apply_for_a_driving_licence/requirements_for_obtaining_a_driving_licence/index.html#1
• More about application for learner's driving licence
  http://www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/licences_and_permits/vehicle_and_driving_licences/how_to_apply_for_a_driving_licence/procedures_for_obtaining_a_full_driving_licence_wi/index.html#2.2
• Download application form TD555 (pdf file)
  http://www.td.gov.hk/filemanager/en/common/td555(8.2009).pdf
• Download application form TD556 (pdf file)
  http://www.td.gov.hk/filemanager/en/common/td556(8.2009).pdf

After obtaining a learner’s driving licence, you may make a driving test appointment. Depending on different vehicle classes, a driving test may consist of a written test and a road test (including basic driving skill test). You must pass all parts of a driving test before you are eligible to apply for a probationary driving licence or a full driving licence.

Applying for a driving test (non-commercial vehicles)

• You have to be at least 18 years old; and
• Purchase a driving test form by filling the application form TD82 and submit to the Hong Kong Licensing Office or the Kowloon Licensing Office in person or by agent. You can also submit the application form by post to the Kowloon Licensing Office.

• Download application form TD82 (pdf file)
  http://www.td.gov.hk/filemanager/en/common/td82(2.2009)-new.pdf
• Detailed guidance on application for a driving test (non-commercial vehicles)
  http://www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/licences_and_permits/driving_test/driving_test_of_noncommercial_vehicles_/index.html

Applying for a driving test (commercial vehicles)

• You have to be at least 21 years old;
• Hold a valid full driving licence to drive a private car or light goods vehicle for at least 3 years or a valid full driving licence issued after the completion of probationary driving period to drive a private car or light goods vehicle for at least 2 years immediately preceding your application;
• You have not been convicted of certain road traffic offences during the 5 years immediately preceding the application (please refer to the link below for details of the offences);
• Hold a valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card; or hold a Hong Kong Identity Card (other than a Hong Kong Permanent Card), but not subject to condition of stay other than a limit of stay as defined in section 2 (1) of the Immigration Ordinance; and
• Complete the application form TD321 and submit it by post to Transport Department, P.O. Box No. 79, Shatin Central Post Office.

• Download application form TD321 (pdf file)
  http://www.td.gov.hk/filemanager/common/tdforms/td321(2009.09).pdf
• Detailed guidance on application for a driving test (commercial vehicles)
  http://www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/licences_and_permits/driving_test/driving_test_of_commerical_vehicles_/index.html#DTC

You may find the addresses of all the driving test centres in the following link. Not all the driving test centres will be open everyday and there are different arrangements for driving test of different vehicle types. For enquiries on driving test appointment, you may call the Driving Test Appointment Office at 2771 7723.

• Find a driving test centre near you
  http://www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/frequently_asked_questions/driver_licensing/index.html#a9

For Learners with Disabilities

If you have any physical disabilities, you are required to attend the driving ability assessment before applying for a driving test. Check out the links below for more details.

• Driving ability assessment (non-commercial vehicles)
  http://www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/licences_and_permits/driving_test/driving_test_of_noncommercial_vehicles_/index.html#DAA
• Driving ability assessment (commercial vehicles)
  http://www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/licences_and_permits/driving_test/driving_test_of_commerical_vehicles_/index.html?inContentID=186&inCharsetID=1&inPageType=3#DAA

Probationary Driving Licence

If you apply to take a driving test for motor cycle, motor tricycle, private car or light goods vehicle, you are only eligible to apply for a probationary driving licence upon passing the test. You are required by law to undergo a 12-month probationary driving period before you can apply for a full driving licence. Check out the links below for more details.

• More about the Probationary Driving Licence Scheme
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/transport/drivinglicense/pdls.htm
• Points to note for applying a Probationary Driving Licence
  http://www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/licences_and_permits/vehicle_and_driving_licences/how_to_apply_for_a_driving_licence/procedures_for_obtaining_a_full_driving_licence_wi/index.html#2.5

Full Driving Licence (non-commercial vehicles)

For motor cycle, motor tricycle, private car or light goods vehicle, you are required to apply for a full driving licence for the respective class within 3 years from the date of your completion of the probationary driving period.

If you hold a valid full driving licence to drive a private car for at least 3 years, you can apply for a full driving licence for light goods vehicle after passing the driving test of this class without undergoing the probationary driving period.

If you hold a valid full driving licence issued after the completion of probationary driving period to drive a private car for at least 2 years, you can apply for a full driving licence for light goods vehicle after passing the driving test for this class without undergoing the probationary driving period.

• Points to note for applying a Full Driving Licence (non-commercial vehicles)
  http://www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/licences_and_permits/vehicle_and_driving_licences/how_to_apply_for_a_driving_licence/procedures_for_obtaining_a_full_driving_licence_wi/index.html#2.6

Full Driving Licence (commercial vehicles)

For commercial vehicles, you are required to apply for a full driving licence within 3 years after passing all parts of the relevant driving test.

• Points to note for applying a Full Driving Licence (commercial vehicles)
  http://www.td.gov.hk/en/public_services/licences_and_permits/vehicle_and_driving_licences/how_to_apply_for_a_driving_licence/procedures_for_obtaining_a_full_driving_licence_wi/index.html#2.7