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About this exam

The Hong Kong Taxi Written Test is the theory examination that a person must pass before applying for a taxi driver's licence in Hong Kong. It is aimed at candidates who already hold the appropriate driving licence and now want to carry passengers for hire, so the content assumes you can already drive and concentrates instead on the knowledge a working taxi driver needs on shift.

The paper is multiple choice and is split across five broad areas: Hong Kong geography, routes and place knowledge (the largest slice, covering districts, major roads, landmarks, hospitals and transport interchanges); road traffic rules, road markings and safe driving; taxi regulations, licensing and legal obligations; service standards, passenger handling and driver conduct; and fares, meter operation, receipts and payment handling.

Because geography carries the most weight, preparation usually means active recall rather than passive reading - tracing routes on a map, testing yourself on building and street names, and drilling the fare and meter rules until they are automatic. Question banks and mock papers help mainly by revealing which areas you keep getting wrong. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with the Transport Department; always confirm the current syllabus, format and booking arrangements with the official body before you sit the test.

What you'll study

Common questions

About Hong Kong Taxi Written Test preparation

What format is the taxi written test?

It is a multiple-choice paper delivered in a computer-based or paper setting depending on the sitting. You read a question, pick the correct option from the choices given, and move on. There is no driving component - practical competence is assessed separately through the driving test.

How many questions are there and how long do I get?

The Transport Department publishes the current question count, time allowance and passing mark for each sitting, and these are the figures you should rely on. Check its official pages before booking so you are not preparing against an out-of-date number.

How hard is it?

Most candidates find the road-rules and regulations sections manageable because the material is logical. Geography is where people struggle, since it rewards memorisation of street names, landmarks and route logic rather than understanding. Budget most of your study time there.

Which section should I study first?

Start with road traffic rules, markings and taxi regulations - they are finite and give quick wins that build momentum. Then move to fares and meter operation, which is short but easy to lose marks on. Leave geography for last so it is freshest on exam day.

What do candidates most often fail on?

Geography dominates: confusing similarly named streets, mixing up one-way systems, misplacing hospitals or police stations, and guessing at cross-harbour or boundary routes. Careless reading of fare and surcharge questions is the second common cause - the wording often turns on a single detail.

Can I retake the test if I fail?

Yes, retakes are possible, but the rebooking procedure, waiting period and any additional fee are set by the Transport Department and change from time to time. Confirm the current arrangement on its website rather than relying on what other candidates tell you.

Do I need to pass before applying for the taxi licence?

The written test is a prerequisite for the taxi driver's licence, and you also need the appropriate full driving licence and to meet the other eligibility conditions. Passing the written paper alone does not authorise you to carry passengers for hire.

What is the best way to memorise Hong Kong geography?

Work district by district rather than trying to absorb the whole territory at once. For each area, learn the main roads in order, the key landmarks, and the nearest hospital and transport interchange. Then test yourself by tracing routes from memory on a blank map.

Are past papers or question banks useful?

They are useful for diagnosing weak spots and getting used to the wording style, but treat them as a check rather than the syllabus. Anything you get wrong, go back to the underlying rule or location and learn it properly - memorising the answer alone will not help in a reworded question.

Where do I find the official exam details?

Question count, duration, passing score, fees, booking and licence validity are all published by the Transport Department. Since these details are periodically revised, check its official website for the current figures instead of relying on a study guide.