More driving test centers to shorten waiting time for road tests, says Ombudsman

The Transport Department should make every effort to increase road test output, including setting up more driving test centers, to ensure a shorter waiting time for candidates, the Ombudsman said on Thursday.

This came as the government watchdog completed a direct investigation into the arrangements for driving tests offered by the department.

The watchdog said during the last 12 years, both the number of applications for road tests and the road test output had increased, but the road test services still failed to meet the demand and have led to excessively long waiting times.

In view of the situation, the watchdog suggested the department proactively explores ways to further increase road test output through flexible manpower deployment, including arrangements for the driving examiners to work extra hours on weekends.

The department should also designate more driving test centers at locations farther away from the city center or residential areas in various parts of Hong Kong.

In addition, the watchdog said the department should extend the direct reporting arrangement for driving examiners to more driving test centers, allowing more road tests for non-commercial vehicles to be conducted.

Meanwhile, the department should resume the practice of setting service standards in respect of road tests for non-commercial vehicles and state clearly the target of arranging a road test for candidates within a certain number of days upon receiving an application for the test.