Become a Driver in Hong Kong

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.

Learning to Drive

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.

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

Applying for a Learner’s Driving Licence

If you wish to learn to drive a motor vehicle on a road, you should be the holder of a learner’s driving licence for that class of vehicle.

For private car and light goods vehicle:

• You have to be at least 18 years old; and
• Apply for a learner’s driving licence by submitting the application form TD555 according to listed methods or applying online.

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
• Apply for a learner’s driving licence by submitting the application form TD555 according to listed methods or applying online (you must have passed Competence Test (Part B) and had a Road Test (Part C) appointment).

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 1 year or hold a valid full driving licence issued after the completion of probationary driving period to drive a private car or light goods vehicle immediately preceding your application; and
• Apply for a learner’s driving licence by submitting the application form TD556 according to listed methods or applying online (learner’s driving licence is not applicable for taxi and special purpose).

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

Making a Driving Test Appointment

Depending on the vehicle class, a driving test may consist of written rest and 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 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 submitting the application form TD82 to the Hong Kong Licensing Office or Kowloon Licensing Office in person or by agent, by post to Kowloon Licensing Office, or applying online.

You are reminded to read the other requirements for application of driving test as stated in the application form or relevant GovHK’s websites for online application service.  You may also refer to the links below for more information.

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 1 year or hold a valid full driving licence issued after the completion of probationary driving period to drive a private car or light goods vehicle 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
• Purchase a driving test form by submitting the application form TD321 by post to Transport Department, P.O. Box No. 79, Shatin Central Post Office, or applying online.

You are reminded to read the other requirements for application of driving test as stated in the application form or relevant GovHK’s websites for online application service.  You may also refer to the links below for more information.

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.

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.

Applying for a Driving Licence

Probationary Driving Licence

Upon passing a driving test of motor cycle, motor tricycle, private car or light goods vehicle, you are required by law to undergo and successfully complete a 12-month probationary driving period (i.e. 12 months from the issue date of the probationary driving licence) before you can apply for a full driving licence for that vehicle class.  A probationary driving licence must be applied within 3 years from the date of passing relevant driving tests; otherwise, you must re-take and pass the relevant driving tests before you can apply for a probationary driving licence for that vehicle class.

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 within 3 years upon 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 within 3 years upon passing the driving test for this class without undergoing the probationary driving period.

You can apply for a probationary driving licence by submitting the application form TD590 according to listed methods or applying online.

You are reminded to read the other requirements for application of probationary driving licence as stated in the application form or relevant GovHK’s websites for online application service.  You may also refer to the links below for more information.

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 vehicle 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 within 3 years upon 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 within 3 years upon passing the driving test for this class without undergoing the probationary driving period.

• Commercial vehicles

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

You can apply for a full driving licence by submitting the application form TD557 according to listed methods or applying online.

You are reminded to read the other requirements for application of dull driving licence as stated in the application form or relevant GovHK’s websites for online application service.  You may also refer to the links below for more information.