LCQ8: Improving driving test arrangements
5.7.2023

Following is a question by Professor the Hon Lau Chi-pang and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, in the Legislative Council today (July 5): Question: âIt is learnt that there has been a rising trend in the number of driving test (road test) appeal cases in recent years, reflecting that members of the public are dissatisfied with the road test arrangements. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: (1) of the current number of people waiting for road tests for various vehicle types and the daily quota for road tests; (2) of the current passing rates of road tests for various vehicle types, and how such passing rates compare with those in the past 10 years, with a breakdown by road test route; whether the Government has reviewed if there is too great a difference in the difficulty of various road test routes, and whether it will adjust the road test routes according to the passing rates of various road test routes, so as to avoid the occurrence of unfairness; (3) given that according to the Transport Department (TD)'s guidelines, candidates are still required to take road tests in bad weather conditions, such as when a rainstorm warning signal is in force, whether the Government has maintained data on the passing rates of road tests conducted in bad weather conditions; if so, of the relevant data; whether the Government will review the arrangements for road tests in bad weather conditions; (4) as there are views pointing out that the large number of learner drivers' vehicles and road test vehicles has caused congestion on the roads of road test routes, of the total number of road test routes in Hong Kong at present, and the basis on which the Government has formulated such routes; whether the Government will review the impact of learner drivers' vehicles and road test vehicles on the road conditions of such routes; and (5) of the number of complaints about road tests received by the Government in each of the past 10 years; whether the TD has regularly reviewed the process of road test arrangements and considered formulating improvement measures; if so, of the details (including the time interval between each review and the specific proposals); if not, whether it will formulate a review proposal and the relevant timetable? Reply: President, âThe Transport Department (TD) has all along been committed to maintaining a fair, impartial and corruption-free driving test system. Arrangements for driving tests and assessments are made pursuant to relevant provisions of the Road Traffic (Driving Licences) Regulations (Cap. 374B). My reply to the various parts of the question raised by Professor the Hon Lau Chi-pang is as follows: (1) The numbers of people waiting for road tests for various types of driving tests as at end-May 2023 are tabulated below: Type of driving test No. of people waiting for the test Private car Combined test 30 351 Part B 771 Part C 10 230 Light goods vehicle Combined test 29 967 Part B 795 Part C 11 961 Motor cycle Part B (competence test) 5 713 Part C (road test) 9 393 Medium goods vehicle 1 736 Heavy goods vehicle 1 007 Bus 978 Light bus 55 Articulated vehicle 474 The TD arranges around 167 000 road tests every year, i.e. around 700 road tests per working day on average, which are duly distributed among various vehicle classes with regard to waiting situation, manpower, etc. (2) and (4) The passing rates of road tests for various types of driving tests in 2023 (as at end-May) are tabulated below: Type of driving test Passing rate Private car Combined test 30% Part B 81% Part C 60% Light goods vehicle Combined test 26% Part B 80% Part C 53% Motor cycle Part B (competence test) 68% Part C (road test) 44% Medium goods vehicle 32% Heavy goods vehicle 21% Bus 37% Light bus 16% Articulated vehicle 38% Overall speaking, the current passing rates are generally in line with the average passing rates in the past decade. The TD does not maintain the data on passing rates by road test route at present. Currently, there are a total of 17 driving test (road test) centres in Hong Kong, with 89 road test routes in total. Each centre has more than one route for road tests for the same vehicle class, with similar testing time for each route. These routes have in place the necessary test items for the road test, such as traffic signals and road junctions. The existing design of all routes is suitable for conducting road tests for the corresponding vehicle class to test the performance of candidates. As traffic conditions of each road test route vary from time to time, candidates are required to respond to the road conditions accordingly to demonstrate that they possess sufficient driving ability and skills, while giving due regard for other road users. In addition to the aforesaid considerations pertaining to the test items and testing time, the TD also takes into account local road conditions in devising an appropriate design for each route of a driving test centre so as to disperse the impact of road tests/driver training on the traffic flow of the relevant road sections. Moreover, to ease the traffic burden on roads during peak hours, driver training is prohibited on all roads across the territory during morning and afternoon peak hours (from 7.30am to 9.30am and from 4.30pm to 7.30pm respectively) from Mondays to Fridays, except for roads already prohibited to learner vehicles by traffic signs or other legal provisions. The morning peak hour restriction is also effective on Saturdays. In parallel, the TD has been taking suitable measures to strike a balance between the need for conducting road tests/driver training on public roads and the impact on the traffic, including adopting different routes for vehicles undergoing road tests taking into account the actual traffic conditions, as well as liaising with the Police to step up enforcement actions on the roads concerned. The TD will continue to closely monitor the traffic conditions in the vicinities of driving test (road test) centres and the conduct of road tests, and review the relevant road test routes as necessary. (3) Currently, there are suitable arrangements for conducting road tests in bad weather conditions, including the cancellation of road tests for all vehicle classes and arrangements for make-up tests when Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above is hoisted, an "Extreme Conditions" announcement (e.g. after bad weather conditions or super typhoons) is made or a Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued. Due to the special circumstances of road tests for motor cycles (only the candidate is involved in driving the motor cycle for road tests), such road tests will be cancelled and make-up tests will be arranged when the roads are slippery on rainy days. The TD does not maintain the data on passing rates of road tests conducted in bad weather conditions. The TD will continue to closely monitor the arrangements for road tests in bad weather conditions to ensure that all road tests are conducted safely. (5) The numbers of complaints about road test results received by the TD in each of the past ten years are tabulated below: Year No. of complaints about road test results 2014 260 2015 249 2016 231 2017 192 2018 205 2019 235 2020 201 2021 290 2022 314 2023 (as at end-May) 140 The TD reviews from time to time relevant arrangements for driving tests and implements enhancement measures, including the introduction of the electronic test form with the use of tablet computers to replace the paper test form since June 2022, thereby enhancing the efficiency of driving test workflow. In addition, the TD is working with the Independent Commission Against Corruption to review the reporting arrangement of driving examiners, with a view to increasing road test output while ensuring a fair, impartial and corruption-free test system. The review is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2023. Meanwhile, the TD is conducting a feasibility study on video recording during driving tests taking into account relevant considerations, with directions covering technical requirements, privacy issues, legal responsibilities of the cameras/videos, cost implications, etc. The preliminary study is expected to be completed within 2023. Subject to the results of the study, the TD will discuss feasible arrangements of conducting a trial with relevant trades.