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Thinking about learning to drive in Hong Kong? From finding the right driving school or instructor to passing your test and getting your licence, here’s what you need to know before getting behind the wheel.
Whether you’re learning from scratch or finally getting around to swapping public transport for your own set of wheels, the process can feel a little confusing. We break down how to get a Hong Kong driving licence, what to expect from the written and practical tests, how much driving lessons cost and where to find driving schools and instructors across the city.
Jump to:
How to get a driving licence in Hong Kong
Hong Kong driving test
Driving schools and instructors in Hong Kong
International Driving Permit in Hong Kong
Hong Kong driving licence FAQs
Read More: Buying A New Or Second Hand Car In Hong Kong
How to get a driving licence in Hong Kong
Getting your Hong Kong driving licence involves a few key steps:
1. Apply for a learner’s licence and book your driving test
2. Pass the written test
3. Take driving lessons
4. Pass the practical test
Once you pass, you’ll need to apply for a probationary driving licence and complete a minimum 12-month probationary period before applying for your full licence.
Already have a driving licence from overseas? You may not need to start from scratch. Depending on where your licence was issued and your residency status, you may be able to drive in Hong Kong temporarily or apply for a Hong Kong licence without taking a test. Visitors may also be able to drive using a valid overseas licence or International Driving Permit — more on that below.
Read More: Car Seat Safety — Where To Buy Car Seats In Hong Kong
Hong Kong driving test
Before you can get your Hong Kong driving licence, you’ll need to prove you know both the rules of the road and how to put them into practice.
Written driving test
The Part A written test is based on Hong Kong’s Road Users’ Code and uses multiple-choice questions to test your knowledge of road rules, signs and safe driving. The Transport Department also provides official sample questions online, so you can get a feel for the format before test day. You’ll need to answer at least 16 of 20 questions correctly to receive your learner’s driving licence.
Practical driving test
Once you’ve cleared the written test and had enough driving practice, it’s time to get behind the wheel. The practical driving test assesses whether you can control the vehicle safely and competently while following Hong Kong’s road rules. Then you can apply for a probationary driving licence. There’s no numerical pass mark for the practical test. Examiners record minor and serious driving faults, with one serious mistake resulting in a fail.
Driving schools and instructors in Hong Kong
You can learn to drive through a driving school (like the Hong Kong School of Motoring), which usually offers more structured courses and packages, or book lessons directly with a private driving instructor for a little more flexibility. Whichever route you choose, your instructor must hold the appropriate Transport Department driving instructor licence. You can check the official list of private driving instructors before booking.
Hong Kong School of Motoring (HKSM) — Structured driving courses with dedicated training grounds
Established in 1983, Hong Kong School of Motoring (HKSM) is one of the city’s best-known driving schools. Its structured private-car courses combine theory, mock-test preparation and practical training, with beginners able to practise basics like steering, parking and hill starts on dedicated training grounds before heading onto public roads.
HKSM has training centres all over Hong Kong, including Sha Tin and Yuen Long, and is a good option for nervous or first-time drivers who prefer a more formal programme. Course length depends on lesson availability and driving-test waiting times, so it may not be the fastest route if flexibility is your priority.
Hong Kong School of Motoring (HKSM), various locations around Hong Kong, www.hksm.com.hk
Tak On Driving School — English-speaking instructors and flexible driving lesson packages
With meeting points in Tin Hau, Causeway Bay, Kowloon Tong and Prince Edward, Tak On Driving School is a convenient option for learners looking for English-speaking driving instructors. You can book individual automatic driving lessons or choose from a range of packages, with some including driving-test booking and car hire.
Already have a Hong Kong driving licence but feeling a little rusty? Tak On also offers refresher lessons to help rebuild confidence behind the wheel. There’s also a free online mock written test on its website for anyone preparing for the Hong Kong driving test.
Tak On Driving School (Admiralty), Shop 2013, 2/F United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong, WhatsApp: 9173 4677
Tak On Driving School (Sham Shui Po), Shop 606, 6/F Dragon Centre, Shum Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong, WhatsApp: 6577 1716, [email protected], www.driving.com.hk
Driving King — Find private driving instructors, book tests and practise online
Driving King is a large private driving instructor platform that connects learners with instructors across Hong Kong. If you’ve already passed your written test and have a road-test appointment, you can use it to find an instructor and pay for lessons as you go. Great if you’d rather not commit to a full package upfront.
New learners can apply for their driving test through Driving King, and its website also offers a free mock written test and driving skills improvement lessons for existing licence holders.
Sassy Mama tip: Not that we want to think about failing, but the driving test is notoriously difficult. When you’re ready to try again, Driving King can assist with applications for the Transport Department’s Repeater Early Test Appointment service.
Driving King, China United Plaza, 1008 Tai Nan West Street, Kowloon, www.drivingking.hk
The Good Luck Motoring School — Manual and automatic driving lessons with English-speaking instructors
The Good Luck Motoring School offers both manual and automatic private-car lessons with fully qualified driving instructors, including English-speaking instructors. Its beginner packages combine practical lessons with exam-time training and car rental for the road test, while lessons cover everything from basic car controls and manoeuvres to road rules and defensive driving skills.
There are also refresher lessons for existing licence holders who want to rebuild their confidence, plus a one-stop service covering the process from the written test through to the road test. Lessons are typically 45 minutes, with learners often booking two back-to-back.
The Good Luck Motoring School, Room F 2/F, Cheong Ming Building, 86 Argyle Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2392 8700, 2787 4288
The Good Luck Motoring School, G/F, No 277, Cheung Sha Wan Road, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2728 6133, www.goodluck.com.hk
Lee Kin Driving School – Well-established driving school with pick-up points across Hong Kong
In business since 1963, Lee Kin Driving School offers private-car driving lessons to suit learner needs. Choose from shorter lesson packages through to more comprehensive courses combining road training, theory lessons, mock tests and simulated driving. The website is largely in Chinese, but there are English-speaking driving instructors. Be sure to contact the team directly to confirm availability when booking.
Lee Kin is also a Transport Department-designated provider of the Driving Improvement Course, offering classes in Cantonese, Putonghua and English.
Lee Kin Driving School, various locations across Hong Kong, 2390 2666, www.leekin.com.hk
International Driving Permit in Hong Kong
Before jetting off on an overseas road trip, check whether you need an international driving licence. Hong Kong residents with a valid Hong Kong full driving licence can apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) through the Transport Department. Your HK driving licence must either be current or have expired no more than three years ago and your international drivers licence is valid for one year.
You can apply for your Hong Kong International Driving Permit online, in person at a Transport Department Licensing Office, by post or via a drop-in box and the current fee is $80.
Before travelling, check whether your destination requires an IDP and which driving documents you’ll need — the rules vary by country or territory.
Sassy Mama Tip: This Sassy Mama has hired cars in Australia, the UK and Europe on a Hong Kong licence. Japan however was a different story… Let’s just say the rules were strict and there were two pregnant women getting extremely cranky with the husbands who had ONE job in the holiday planning! Lesson learned, ALWAYS check.
Read More: Car Seat Laws When Travelling — What You Need To Know
Hong Kong driving licence FAQs
How much does it cost to learn to drive in Hong Kong?
You’ll need to budget for the full process rather than just the cost of your driving lessons. Make note of the latest fess for:
- Learner’s driving licence
- Written driving test fee
- Driving lessons — varies by school, instructor, transmission and number of lessons
- Practical driving test fee
- Car hire for your practical test — sometimes included in a driving-school package, sometimes charged separately
- Extra lessons and retest fees — if you don’t pass first time
- Probationary driving licence — payable once you’ve passed
What is the Hong Kong driving test pass rate?
Pass rates vary by test type and year. In 2024, the Transport Department reported separate results for the written test and practical driving tests, so it’s better to check the latest official statistics rather than rely on one overall figure.
What is the cheapest driving school in Hong Kong?
There isn’t one consistently cheapest option. It’s also worth looking beyond the upfront lesson price: if you don’t pass, you’ll need to book and pay for another test, potentially take more lessons and factor in the wait for a new test date, so a cheaper package isn’t necessarily the best value overall.
What happens if you fail your Hong Kong driving test?
Repeat candidates may be able to secure an earlier slot through the Transport Department’s Repeater Early Test Appointment Booking Service, which allocates available slots by ballot.
Can I learn with a private driving instructor in Hong Kong?
Yes. Learner drivers can take lessons with licensed private driving instructors as an alternative to enrolling with a driving school. The Transport Department maintains information on licensed private instructors.
Can a family member or friend teach me to drive in Hong Kong?
No. Learner drivers must drive under the supervision of a licensed driving instructor, so a family member or friend with a full driving licence cannot legally supervise your practice. The Transport Department recommends around 30 hours of driver training before taking the road test.
Can I drive in Hong Kong with an overseas driving licence?
Possibly. The rules depend on whether you’re visiting Hong Kong or taking up residence, where your licence was issued and how long you plan to drive here. Some overseas licence holders may also qualify for a Hong Kong licence without taking the full driving test.
Should I learn to drive an automatic or manual car in Hong Kong?
That depends on what you expect to drive. If you pass your test in an automatic vehicle, your licence carries a restriction allowing you to drive automatic vehicles only; to remove that restriction, you’ll need to pass the relevant practical test in a manual vehicle.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally written by Cecily Radford and most recently updated by Jessica Mizzi in August 2026.
