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Driving test delay claims investigated

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THE driving instruction business is to be investigated by the Consumer Council to find out whether or not learner drivers are getting a raw deal.

The Hong Kong Driving Instruction Club, which represents most of the private instructors on Hong Kong Island, claims learner drivers are being forced to wait up to nine months for a test or shell out more money for a shorter wait at the Hong Kong School of Motoring (HKSM).

After receiving some complaints about the business, the Consumer Council says it would look into the trade next year.

''We will be looking to see if there is enough competition in the business because that is the best guarantee of quality of service and fair pricing,'' a council spokesman said.

HKSM is the only off-street driving school in the territory, with about 40 per cent share of the market.

The spokesman added: ''A large share of the market is not necessarily detrimental to the interests of consumers and there is no evidence to suggest that is the case with the driving instruction business.

''But we are concerned that a concentration of power in the market place might affect consumers' choice and the price level.'' Representatives of the territory's 1,000 private instructors have met the Transport Department to demand a cut in the preferential treatment in test waiting time given to HKSM.

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