Motorcycle License

I have a car license but now want to get a motorcycle license. I've visited 2 major driving school's websites but cannot decide which is best - HK School of Motoring or Lee Kin. I've heard different stories about both schools but want to find out which one is easier to get the motor cycle license and which has a higher passing rate.


Does anyone have any experience with either schools? How long does it take? Some say atleast 6months+....

I took the license at HKSM and the package offered was fine. I do recommend you buy 4-6 extra self-practice lessons before your test. Better to practice a bit too much than a bit too litte.


HKSM has about an 85% pass rate at the Ap Lei Chau facility. Frankly though, most of those 15% simply haven't bothered to prepare enough. If you practice until you have it down cold, your chance of failing is very small.


It takes 3-4 months depending on the timing of your two tests. If for some reason you can't make a test date, you'll have to wait 4-6 weeks for the next one, so any delay is costly timewise.


The first test, maneuvering, is dead easy. Practice by all means, but it is not hard.


The second test, road, has two parts. Figure eights and driving on the road.


Make sure you nail the figure-eights (any mistake here is an automatic fail). My big tip on the figure-eight is to hold the throttle at a constant setting and use the footbrake for speed control. This ensures the engine is in the powerband and doesn't jerk at the lowest point on the slope when you are leaned over. Makes the maneuver 10x easier! Second tip: look where you are going, not at the front wheel. It's a bit of a leap of faith at first but it works. And practice practice practice until you can do it in your sleep.


The road test is reasonably easy since it is one of two fixed courses and you are permitted some minor mistakes. The briefing lessons are good since they point out things the examiners look for. Then just practice practice practice and make sure you know the course layout.


Overall, it is not a difficult process if you have ridden a bicycle as a child. I was surprised by how many people hadn't and showed it by falling over during their first couple of lessons.



In the end, the course teaches how to pass the test, not how to become a good rider. I was not in any way a decent rider based on the course. That took time and study. I recommend the book "Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough for a better insight into actual riding.



I highly recommend getting your license. I really enjoy riding around. Very convenient once you figure out where the bike parkings are, and which garages allow bikes (a surprisingly large number don't).

Thanks for the details!


Have you heard if the Ap Lei Chau route is easier to get the license or the other locations better? I'm not familiar if they do testing on public roads or in an closed off area. If on public road, Yuen Long may have big trucks etc. making it quite scary and difficult to get the license?!


My objective is to get the license in one hit!! ^_^

According to one of the instructors, the Ap Lei Chau facility has a slightly higher pass rate than the other HKSM sites since the location has less and slower traffic. 85% pass rate in Ap Lei Chau and around 75-80% in the other places if memory serves. Something like that. Note that this is not official info but comes from a conversation.


The driving on the road part (second part of the road test) is always on public roads. For Ap Lei Chau it takes place in the four streets around Horizon Plaza. These are Lee Wing, Lee Hing and Lee King Streets plus Lee Nam Road. Significant share of commercial traffic but slow speeds. Some obstructed visibility. If you're used to driving a car it's no biggie, especially as you sit higher on a bike than in most cars so you see better. You can of course practice the routes in your car. The biggest hazard is, as ever in HK traffic, aggressive and obnoxious taxi drivers. Many of them cut off slow moving learner driver at the slightest opportunity. Not that scary if you keep an eye out.



As mentioned, in my view getting the license on the first try is almost certain if you practice until you have it down cold and then some.



Then of course, you have to go out on the road when you drive your new bike home! That was way more nerve-wracking than the test! Three times the power of the test bikes, 50% more weight and cars ALL over the place. The first time you drive it is on the road. I took a couple of laps around the dealer's empty side street first but that's just not possible with some dealers. After a couple of weeks I had no problems in traffic, but that first drive was pretty memorable. :)