Which Driving School Is Best in 2026?
A Full Comparison of 10 Major Driving Schools
Compare tuition fees, lesson numbers, pass rates and costs after CEF at all major Hong Kong driving schools to find the right learning option for you.
🏫 10 driving schools
📊 Transport Department pass rate figures
🔄 Last updated: March 2026
📑 Contents
- Driving school fee table (automatic private car)
- Designated vs non-designated driving schools
- Pass rate comparison (Transport Department figures)
- Detailed school profiles
- CEF fee comparison
- Driving schools vs private instructors
- How to choose a driving school: 5 criteria
- Frequently asked questions about choosing a driving school
Driving School Fee Table (2026 Automatic Private Car)
The latest fees for automatic private car courses at 10 major Hong Kong driving schools are collected below for easy comparison:
| Driving school | Type | Course lessons | Tuition fees | Average per lesson | Test Vehicle Hire Fee | Estimated total cost | Out-of-pocket cost after CEF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong School of Motoring (HKSM) | Designated | 36 lessons | $13,280 | $369 | $2,200 | $16,538 | $8,380 |
| Lee Kin Driving School | Designated | 53 lessons | $9,123 | $172 | $2,000 | $12,181 | $7,142 |
| Heng Cheong Driving School | Non-designated | 25 lessons | $8,250 | $330 | $2,300 | $11,608 | — |
| 安佳 Driving School | Non-designated | 37 lessons | $14,800 | $400 | $2,200 | $18,058 | — |
| New Kwun Tong Driving School | Non-designated | 32 lessons | $15,751 | $492 | $2,200 | $19,009 | — |
| 學車易 | Non-designated | 21 lessons | $9,450 | $450 | Included | $10,508 | — |
| 好運 Driving School | Non-designated | 25 lessons | $8,200 | $328 | $2,300 | $11,558 | — |
| A1 Driving School | Non-designated | 15 lessons | $4,800 | $320 | $2,100 | $7,958 | — |
| Container Transportation Employees General Union | Designated | — | $20,610 | — | $1,000 | $22,668 | $7,802 |
| 🌟 APASS (private instructors) | private instructor | Flexible · pay per lesson | From $300/lesson | $300-$450 | $2,100-$2,500 | From $9,158 | — |
* Estimated total cost = tuition + test vehicle hire + Transport Department application fee $510 + learner's licence $548. Out-of-pocket cost after CEF includes vehicle hire and Transport Department fees. Sources: schools' official websites, HK01, Kwiksure (as of March 2026)
Designated vs non-designated driving schools
Hong Kong driving schools are either designated or non-designated. Their main differences concern test arrangements, CEF eligibility and pricing:
| Comparison | designated driving school | Non-designated driving schools |
|---|---|---|
| Representative schools | Hong Kong School of Motoring (HKSM), Lee Kin, Container Transportation Employees General Union | Heng Cheong, 安佳, New Kwun Tong, 學車易, A1, 好運 |
| Continuing Education Fund (CEF) | ✅ Eligible (up to $25,000) | ❌ Not eligible |
| Test Arrangements | ✅ Internal school booking (usually faster) | Waiting times vary by test category and region. Please refer to the latest shared test waiting-time information |
| Teaching Approach | Structured course, training ground + road | Varies by school; some resemble private instructors |
| Fee level | ⚠️ Higher ($12,000 - $23,000) | ✅ Lower ($4,800 - $19,000) |
| Part C road test pass rate (private car) |
55% | 61% |
| Part C road test pass rate (light goods vehicle) |
48% | 54% |
* Pass rate data source: Transport Department Public test statistics
Driving Test Pass Rate Comparison (Transport Department Figures)
Many assume driving schools always have higher pass rates than private instructors, but Transport Department figures show otherwise:
Private Car — Part C Road Test Pass Rate
Overall pass rate
59%
Average across all candidates
designated driving school
55%
HKSM, Lee Kin and others
Non-designated driving schools / private instructors
61%
⭐ Highest pass rate
Light Goods Vehicle — Part C Road Test Pass Rate
Overall pass rate
52%
Average across all candidates
designated driving school
48%
HKSM, Lee Kin and others
Non-designated driving schools / private instructors
54%
⭐ Highest pass rate
First-attempt Pass Rate
| Vehicle Type | Overall | Designated driving schools | Non-designated schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🚗 Private car | 30% | 31% | 29% |
| 🚐 Light Goods Vehicle | 25% | 27% | 24% |
* Source: Transport Department public test statistics. Non-designated school figures include candidates taught by private instructors.
💡 Key Pass Rate Findings
First-attempt pass rates are almost identical for designated and non-designated schools (a difference of 1-3%). For overall Part C road test pass rates, non-designated schools / private instructors are 6% higher. These figures show that: The key to learning successfully is instructor quality and the amount of practice, rather than which school you choose.
Detailed school profiles
Below are the features, fees, advantages and disadvantages of 8 major driving schools to help you decide:
🏫
Hong Kong School of Motoring (HKSM)
Designated driving school · Established in 1983
Automatic private car tuition $13,280 / 36 lessons
Average per lesson $369
Test Vehicle Hire Fee $2,200
CEF original fee / out-of-pocket cost after subsidy $19,056 → $8,380
Teaching locations Ap Lei Chau · Sha Tin · Yuen Long
Features
🏫
Lee Kin Driving School
Designated driving school · Established in 1963
Automatic private car tuition $9,123 / 53 lessons
Average per lesson $172
Test Vehicle Hire Fee $2,000
CEF original fee / out-of-pocket cost after subsidy $18,960 → $7,142
Teaching locations Multiple districts across Hong Kong
Features
🏫
Heng Cheong Driving School
Non-designated driving schools
Automatic private car tuition $8,250 / 25 lessons
Average per lesson $330
Test Vehicle Hire Fee $2,300
CEF Not applicable
Teaching areas Kowloon and New Territories
Features
🏫
安佳 Driving School
Non-designated driving schools
Automatic private car tuition $14,800 / 37 lessons (opening offer)
Average per lesson $400
Test Vehicle Hire Fee $2,200
CEF Not applicable
Featured course Pass-guarantee course $17,800 (retests included)
Features
🏫
A1 Driving School
Non-designated driving schools
Automatic private car tuition $4,800 / 15 lessons
Average per lesson $320
Test Vehicle Hire Fee $2,100
CEF Not applicable
Features Online registration and payment
Features
🏫
好運 Driving School
Non-designated driving schools
Automatic private car tuition $8,200 / 25 lessons
Average per lesson $328
Test Vehicle Hire Fee $2,300
CEF Not applicable
Teaching areas Kowloon and New Territories
Features
🏫
學車易
Non-designated driving schools
Automatic private car tuition $9,450 / 21 lessons (vehicle hire included)
Average per lesson $450
Test Vehicle Hire Fee Included
CEF Not applicable
Features Vehicle hire included
Features
🏫
New Kwun Tong Driving School
Non-designated driving schools
Automatic private car tuition $15,751 / 32 lessons
Average per lesson $492
Test Vehicle Hire Fee $2,200
CEF Not applicable
Teaching areas Kwun Tong
Features
CEF Driving Course Cost Comparison
The following designated driving schools offer courses eligible for Continuing Education Fund (CEF). Compare the actual costs before and after subsidy:
| School | Original CEF course fee | CEF subsidy amount | Tuition after subsidy | + vehicle hire | + Transport Department fees | Actual total out-of-pocket cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lee Kin Driving School | $18,960 | -$13,876 | $5,084 | $1,000 | $1,058 | $7,142 |
| Container Transportation Employees General Union | $20,610 | -$14,866 | $5,744 | $1,000 | $1,058 | $7,802 |
| Hong Kong School of Motoring (HKSM) | $19,056 | -$13,934 | $5,122 | $2,200 | $1,058 | $8,380 |
* Transport Department fees = application fee $510 + learner's licence $548 = $1,058. CEF subsidies depend on the allowance already used; the figures above assume a first-time application.
Driving schools vs private instructors
If you have not decided between a driving school and a learning with a private instructor, this comparison will help:
| Comparison | driving school | Private instructor (APASS) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fees (20 lessons) | $10,500 - $20,000 | $6,000 - $9,000 |
| Payment method | Prepaid full-course package | ✅ Pay per lesson |
| CEF subsidy | ✅ Eligible (designated schools) | ❌ Not applicable |
| Teaching Approach | Small classes / taking turns to practise | ✅ One-to-one throughout |
| Scheduling flexibility | Fixed classes | ✅ Highly flexible |
| Consistent instructor | Not guaranteed | ✅ Same instructor throughout |
| Part C road test pass rate | Designated 55% / non-designated 61% | Non-designated 61% (including private instructors) |
| Suitable for | Those wanting CEF and all-in-one application handling | Those with a limited budget, variable availability or a preference for one-to-one tuition |
💡
Unsure? A Simple Way to Decide:
Eligible for CEF + want all-in-one application handling → choose designated driving school (Lee Kin is the first choice, with the lowest out-of-pocket cost)
Limited budget + variable availability + want one-to-one tuition → choose APASS private instructors
How to choose a driving school: 5 criteria
If you decide to learn at a driving school, these 5 points will help you choose the best fit:
- Calculate the true total cost: Look beyond tuition: add test vehicle hire, Transport Department fees and possible extra lessons. Vehicle hire fees can differ by as much as $1,300 between schools.
- Make good use of CEF eligibility: If you meet the Continuing Education Fund (CEF) eligibility requirements (Hong Kong residents aged 18-70), choosing a designated school can save a lot. Lee Kin's out-of-pocket cost is the lowest at just $7,142.
- Check whether there are enough lessons: The Transport Department recommends at least 30 hours of on-road practice (about 40 lessons × 45 minutes). A short package may require extra lessons, which may cost more than the package rate.
- A convenient location matters: You will attend many times, so choose a school near home or work. Location matters even more if you want practice near the test routes.
- Understand the refund policy: Ask about withdrawal and refund terms before enrolling. Some schools deduct substantial administration fees. APASS's private instructor payment per lesson avoids this issue entirely.
Frequently asked questions about choosing a driving school
If you are eligible for the Continuing Education Fund (CEF), Lee Kin Driving School has the lowest out-of-pocket cost ($7,142 including vehicle hire and Transport Department fees). Without CEF, among non-designated schools, A1 Driving School has the cheapest 15-lesson package ($4,800), with a total cost of about $7,958. However, the limited lessons may require additional tuition. If you prefer payment per lesson and one-to-one teaching, APASS private instructors starts at $300 per lesson, with a total cost of about $9,158 for 20 lessons.
No. Transport Department figures show that non-designated schools / private instructors have a higher Part C road test pass rate (61%) than designated schools (55%). First-attempt pass rates are almost identical (designated 31% vs non-designated 29%, just 2% apart). This shows that pass rates mainly depend on practice and instructor quality, rather than school brand.
If your package lessons run out before your test or before you pass, you need to buy additional lessons. At most schools, extra lessons cost 20-50% more than the package's average lesson price: for example, a package averaging $330/lesson may charge $400-$500 for extra lessons. Ask about these fees before enrolling. If this concerns you, learning with a private instructor on a per-lesson basis avoids the risk of a price increase.
Both are designated schools eligible for CEF. Lee Kin has the most lessons (53), the lowest average lesson price ($172) and the lowest out-of-pocket cost after CEF ($7,142). HKSM has large private practice grounds (Ap Lei Chau / Sha Tin / Yuen Long) and a better-known brand. Lee Kin offers better value; HKSM suits those wanting professional practice grounds.
CEF driving course applications require: (1) age 18-70; (2) eligible Hong Kong residency; (3) enrolment in a recognised course at a designated school (HKSM, Lee Kin or Container Transportation Employees General Union). After completing the course and obtaining your licence, apply to the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency for tuition reimbursement. Maximum subsidy $25,000 (cumulative limit). For details, see Complete CEF Driving Course Guide.
If you are ineligible for CEF but want to save money, options include: (1) a non-designated school such as A1 ($4,800/15 lessons) or 好運 ($8,200/25 lessons); (2) learning with a APASS private instructors from $300 per lesson, without a large upfront payment; (3) choosing a manual light goods vehicle, whose lesson fees are usually lower than private car lessons. For a full savings guide, see driving lesson costs page.