The Transport Department today announced that its driving test (road test) service will resume on March 2 to align with the gradual resumption of more public services.

The department said candidates who have been scheduled to conduct a road test on or after March 2 should take the test according to the test date, time and driving test centre specified in the test schedule letter.

Candidates whose road tests were originally scheduled between January 29 and February 28 but were affected by the suspension of the driving test centres will be notified by post for rescheduling of the test dates.

All candidates participating in the road tests must wear surgical masks inside driving test centres and throughout the test.

They must also clean their hands with alcohol sanitiser and undergo body temperature screening.

If a candidate does not wear a surgical mask, refuses to undergo body temperature screening, or has a body temperature higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius, the candidate will not be allowed to enter the test venue and the test will be rescheduled.

To improve air circulation inside vehicle compartments, driving examiners may open windows during the test.  

The department urged candidates not to attend driving tests if they are unwell.

For applicants who are absent from driving tests on medical grounds, they can submit their postponement applications with the original sick leave certificate or medical certificate to the Driving Test Appointment Office within one month from the test date for rescheduling.

To reduce social contact and the risk of spreading COVID-19 in the community, the driving test (written test Part A) and the taxi written test will continue to be suspended until further notice.

The department said it is preparing for the gradual resumption of the written test service and will announce the latest arrangements in advance, adding it will notify affected candidates individually for rescheduling.

In addition, the department’s Driving Test Appointment Office in Cheung Sha Wan, the online booking service for driving test appointments and the telephone booking service for repeater early test appointments will also be suspended until further notice.

Candidates who would like to submit applications for test postponement or temporary cancellation of a driving test appointment or change of driving test region can submit their applications within two weeks after the service resumption of the Driving Test Appointment Office or call 2771 7723 for enquiries.

Separately, the department's Licensing Offices at Admiralty, Cheung Sha Wan, Kwun Tong and Sha Tin will resume service hours from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

It will continue to suspend walk-in counter services but will process licensing applications submitted by applicants with scheduled appointments, by drop-in box, post or online.

Applicants who have made online appointments for renewal of a full driving licences/vehicle licences or application for international driving permits from March 2 to March 31 can visit the Licensing Office concerned at the scheduled time.

The quota for these appointments has also been further increased to 3,000 per day and the opening period for appointments has been extended from eight weeks to 10 weeks.