Hong Kong Taxi Written Exam Guide | Exam Scope, Registration, Urban vs NT vs Lantau Taxi & 80% Pass Mark Strategy

To become a licensed taxi driver in Hong Kong, the first hurdle is passing the taxi written exam administered by the Transport Department. The test is short -- just 20 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes -- but the pass mark is a demanding 80%, meaning you can only get 4 questions wrong out of 20. According to Transport Department data for 2024/25, the overall pass rate hovers around 55%, so nearly half of all candidates fail on their first attempt. The exam covers four areas: taxi regulations, traffic rules, route geography, and taximeter knowledge, with geography questions being notoriously tricky -- they test whether you know the best route from point A to point B. This guide breaks down each area, walks you through the registration process, highlights common pitfalls, and provides a practical study plan.

1. What Is the Taxi Written Exam?

Under Hong Kong's Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374D), anyone who wishes to drive a taxi for hire must hold a valid Taxi Driver's Licence. Passing the taxi written exam is a prerequisite for obtaining this licence. In other words, the exam is the legal gateway into the profession -- without passing it, you cannot legally carry passengers for fare.

The purpose of the exam is to ensure that prospective taxi drivers are familiar with taxi-specific legislation, road safety regulations, taximeter operation, and possess sufficient knowledge of Hong Kong's road network to serve passengers effectively. Questions are drawn randomly from a question bank, so rote memorisation of specific papers has limited value; genuine understanding of the material is essential.

2. Urban, New Territories & Lantau Taxis -- Three Licence Types

Hong Kong taxis come in three types, distinguished by body colour, each with a designated operating area. Which exam you sit depends on the type of Taxi Driver's Licence you are applying for.

The vast majority of candidates sit the urban taxi (red) exam, for a simple reason: red taxis operate territory-wide, have the most licences, and offer the most job opportunities. New Territories taxis are restricted to designated NT areas (e.g. Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Sheung Shui), though certain boundary zones allow cross-district pick-ups -- these boundary rules are a favourite exam topic. Lantau taxis are the rarest, with only 75 licences, mainly serving Lantau residents and airport travellers.

3. Exam Format & Pass Requirements

The 80% pass mark is notably higher than many other vehicle exams. For comparison, the private car written test only requires 60%. This reflects the Transport Department's higher standard for public service vehicle drivers, who interact with passengers daily and must possess solid knowledge of regulations and routes as a baseline professional requirement.

4. Four Exam Areas at a Glance

The taxi written exam draws from four main areas. Questions are randomly selected from a question bank, so the exact weighting varies between sittings, but based on candidate reports over the years, the approximate distribution is as follows:

5. Area 1: Taxi Regulations

Questions in this area are primarily drawn from the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374D) and related subsidiary legislation. These are not "common sense" questions -- many of the statutory details will be unfamiliar even to experienced private car drivers.

Refusal of Hire

Under the law, a taxi driver must not refuse to carry a passenger without reasonable cause. "Reasonable cause" includes: the passenger's destination is outside the taxi's designated operating area, the passenger is carrying dangerous goods, or the driver is about to go off duty. However, "the trip is too short", "the destination has heavy traffic", or "it's not on my way" are not lawful grounds for refusal. Unlawful refusal carries a maximum fine of HK$10,000 and 6 months imprisonment. The exam frequently presents "which of the following is a reasonable ground for refusal?" questions.

Luggage Surcharge

Taxi drivers may charge a surcharge for each piece of luggage placed in the boot (currently HK$6 per item). However, hand-carried luggage placed at the passenger's feet cannot be charged, regardless of size. Wheelchairs, baby strollers, and guide dogs are also exempt from surcharge -- these distinctions appear regularly on the exam. Additionally, animals (other than guide dogs) may in principle be refused, but if the passenger carries a pet in a suitable cage, the driver cannot refuse.

Taxi Driver Identity Plate

While driving a taxi, the driver must display the Taxi Driver Identity Plate in a position clearly visible to passengers inside the vehicle. This plate shows the driver's name, photograph, and ID number. Failure to display or obscuring the plate is an offence.

6. Area 2: Traffic Rules

The traffic rules area overlaps with the private car written test to some extent, but the taxi exam includes additional rules specific to public service vehicles.

Taxi Stands & Restricted Zones

Taxis may only pick up and set down passengers at designated taxi stands or lawful roadside locations. On double yellow lines (no stopping), taxis are equally prohibited from stopping for passengers unless a taxi stand sign is present. Single yellow lines (no parking but stopping permitted) allow brief stops for boarding and alighting. This distinction is a perennial exam favourite.

Tunnel Regulations

Tunnel tolls for Hong Kong's various toll tunnels are borne by the passenger, but the charging arrangements differ between tunnels. The exam frequently asks: What is the taxi surcharge for the Cross-Harbour Tunnel? How do the taxi charges differ between the Cross-Harbour, Eastern Harbour, and Western Harbour tunnels? The fare structure following the August 2023 "three-tunnel diversion" policy may also be tested. Candidates should memorise the latest tunnel toll and surcharge figures.

Traffic Signs

The exam may display traffic sign images and ask candidates to identify their meaning. Pay particular attention to taxi-related signs: taxi stand signs (green background with white "TAXI" text), taxi restricted zone signs, and bus lanes (taxi access varies by road section). A complete list of signs is available in the Transport Department's Road Users' Code -- reading through it at least once is highly recommended.

7. Area 3: Route & Geography Knowledge

This is the area where the most candidates stumble. Unlike regulations -- which can be memorised -- geography questions require genuine familiarity with Hong Kong's road network. Questions typically take the form: "Travelling from X to Y, which route is most appropriate?" with all four options being real road names.

Frequently Tested Routes (Urban Taxi)

The urban taxi exam covers all of Hong Kong, but certain locations appear disproportionately often:

• Major public hospitals: Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Gascoigne Road), Princess Margaret Hospital (Lai King), Prince of Wales Hospital (Sha Tin), Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (Chai Wan) -- testing whether you know the route
• Key tunnels & expressways: Lion Rock Tunnel, Shing Mun Tunnel, Tate's Cairn Tunnel, Tsing Ma Bridge approach -- entry and exit locations
• Government facilities: District courts, government offices, Immigration Department branches
• Tourist & commercial districts: Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Chek Lap Kok Airport Terminal

NT Taxi Geography Scope

If you are sitting the New Territories taxi (green) exam, geography questions focus on NT districts: Tuen Mun Road, Tolo Highway, Fanling Highway, Tai Po Market area, Sheung Shui Shek Wu Hui, and so on. Note the "designated places" that NT taxis are allowed to enter (e.g. Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin, the airport) versus areas they are prohibited from (most of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon's urban core). These boundary conditions are an exam favourite.

8. Area 4: Taximeter Knowledge

The taximeter is the legally mandated fare-calculation device. Drivers must activate it whenever carrying a paying passenger. Questions in this area cover meter operation rules, fare structures, and common violations.

Fare Structure (Urban Taxi Example)

Common meter-related questions include: "A passenger asks the driver to switch off the meter and negotiate a flat fare. What should the driver do?" (Answer: refuse -- running the meter is a legal requirement); "What should a driver do if the taximeter malfunctions?" (Answer: proceed to an approved repair shop as soon as possible and refrain from carrying passengers until it is fixed). These scenario questions test your understanding of the regulations, not your arithmetic.

9. Registration & Application Process

All taxi written exam registrations are handled through the Transport Department. Here is the complete process:

10. Common Pitfalls & Traps

Based on reports from numerous candidates, the following question types have particularly high error rates:

11. Study Strategy & Timetable

Below is a 3-week study plan suitable for candidates who already hold a private car licence and have basic familiarity with traffic regulations. If you are starting from scratch, consider extending to 4-5 weeks.

Three Principles for Effective Study

1. Practise questions instead of rote memorisation

The question bank has a defined scope. Extensive practice helps you recognise patterns and high-frequency topics. Aim for at least 300-500 practice questions, reviewing the explanation for every question -- not just the ones you got wrong.

2. Tackle one area at a time

Do not jump straight into full mock exams. Use "area mode" to practise each topic separately until your accuracy in regulations, traffic rules, and meter knowledge each exceeds 90%, then move on to full timed mocks.

3. Learn geography through route chains

Memorising road names in isolation leads to quick forgetting. A more effective approach is to set "mission routes" -- for example, "Kowloon Bay to Queen Elizabeth Hospital" -- then trace the route on Google Maps or even drive it in person. Linking road names, junctions, and tunnel entrances into a complete route creates much stronger memories than isolated facts.

12. Exam Day Tips

• Arrive 15 minutes early: Roll call usually starts before the exam. Arriving late may forfeit your sitting, and the fee is non-refundable.
• Bring all required documents: Original HKID card + appointment letter. Missing either may bar you from sitting the exam.
• Answer confident questions first: With only 20 questions and a 80% pass mark, the margin for error is razor-thin. Secure the easy marks first, then spend remaining time on uncertain questions.
• Watch for negative phrasing: The exam frequently uses "which of the following is NOT correct?" Many marks are lost because candidates overlook one word.
• Avoid changing answers unless certain: Statistically, first-instinct answers tend to be more accurate. Unless you spot a clear calculation error or misreading, stick with your initial choice.
• Use your time wisely: 45 minutes for 20 questions gives over 2 minutes per question. There is no need to rush -- read each question carefully before answering.

13. After Passing: Obtaining Your Taxi Driver's Licence

Passing the written exam does not immediately give you a licence. You still need to complete the following steps:

The Taxi Driver's Licence is valid for 3 years and must be renewed before expiry. Renewal also requires a current Medical Examination Certificate. If your underlying full driving licence expires or is suspended, your Taxi Driver's Licence automatically becomes invalid.

14. Frequently Asked Questions