Ombudsman to investigate driving test arrangements, including lengthy wait times

The Office of the Ombudsman announced the launch of a direct investigation into the Transport Department (TD)'s arrangement of the driving test as the growing public demand for the tests and the ever-increasing waiting time for candidates.  

The government watchdog said it had received 40 complaints related to driving tests between January last year till this March, including candidates' discontent about the waiting time, the TD's early test appointment booking system, the scheduling of driving tests, as well as appeals and arrangements for video recording of driving tests.  

Ombudsman Winnie Chiu Wai-yin said the average waiting time for a driving test is seven to more than ten months. Candidates who failed a road test and applied for retaking would usually be allotted a test date beyond the validity period of their learner's driving licenses, which is 12 months.   

They would have to apply for the learner's licenses again to undergo driving training before the next road test, resulting in additional costs and inconvenience.   

Chiu added that the passing rates in road tests were also relatively low. In 2021, the driving tests passing rates for private cars and light goods vehicles (combined) were 30 percent and 24 percent, respectively.  

Furthermore, some complained and questioned TD's justification for prohibiting video recording of driving tests with the dashcams in test vehicles. The office also noticed a rising trend in the number of appeal cases relating to the tests.  

Chiu noted that TD needs to review its current workflow for driving test arrangements and consider drawing up improvement measures.   

"In this light, we decided to launch a direct investigation to probe the TD's arrangements for driving tests, including administrative arrangements with respect to applications for driving tests and tests scheduling, recording of driving tests, and the appeal handling mechanism. Recommendations would be made where due," she said.  

The Ombudsman said it welcomes views from the public, and written submissions should reach the office by June 18.