Private driving instructors hold a monopoly, with no rating or arbitration mechanism

Hong Kong's private driving-instruction market has long lacked any effective oversight. Large numbers of consumers report a lack of transparency when choosing an instructor, finding it hard to assess credentials or teaching quality, and paying high fees with little protection.

Because the Transport Department has not issued new instructor licences for many years, existing instructors form a monopoly, often treating learners poorly and refusing refunds, while consumers have nowhere to complain and no channel to report misconduct to the relevant authorities. Many residents point out that some instructors even deliberately withhold important driving knowledge, causing learners to fail repeatedly so they can earn extra exam car-rental fees — a textbook bloodsucking exploitation tactic.

There is a clear gap in the market for a platform to assess, compare and lodge complaints about instructors; a platform offering instructor ratings, transparent fees and an arbitration mechanism could effectively protect learners' rights and push the industry to raise its service quality.