Additional designated driving school and driving test centre opens
The Transport Department (TD) announced today (November 14) that 69 Shan Ha Road, Yuen Long, has been designated as a driving school in accordance with section 88K(1) of the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374).
The designated driving school officially commenced operation today. The TD will also set up a driving test centre in the school for conducting driving tests. Including this school, there are now five government-designated driving schools and driving test centres in Hong Kong, located in Sha Tin, Ap Lei Chau, Yuen Long and Kwun Tong.
A spokesman for the TD said that the Government attaches great importance to the management of driving schools and the provision of driving test services, striving to maintain an effective driver training and testing system for the promotion of road safety. The TD has issued a Code of Practice for regulating the operation of the driving schools, including training routes, on-street training hours and the number of training vehicles. With road safety being the primary objective, the TD will closely monitor the operation of driving schools and traffic conditions in their vicinities and review their operational arrangements when necessary to ensure compliance with the Code of Practice.
The Government has long adopted a two-pronged approach in respect of driver training. On one hand, off-street driver training is promoted through the establishment of driving schools. On the other hand, the Government maintains a sufficient supply of private driving instructors for on-street driver training. The driving school's operator, after receiving approval from the Town Planning Board, applied to the TD for the operation of a designated driving school, providing driver training services for private cars, light goods vehicles and motorcycles. After a careful review of all conditions, including the availability of necessary facilities for driver training and testing, the TD approved the application. The Government will consider and approve applications from operators on a case-by-case basis, provided that they can offer sites that meet the requirements, including the permitted land use and space for accommodating basic driver training and testing facilities for a driving school.
Members of the public may refer to the TD's website for details of designated driving schools.
Transport Department. Photo by Bastille Post
