Three out of five motorists who took driver improvement courses accumulated further demerit points within two years, and 10 per cent lost their licences for driving offences.
Under a scheme introduced in 2002, drivers penalised for traffic offences can have three demerit points deducted if they complete the course.
But the government has revealed that of the 2,160 drivers who took part in the course in 2004, 1,370 went on to commit further offences that added more points to their licences within two years.
Of the 1,370, 200 had their licences revoked after accumulating 15 points or more for driving infractions.
Transport sector lawmaker Miriam Lau Kin-yee drew attention to the anomaly in the Legislative Council last week when she demanded to know whether the Department of Transport would consider including a road test in the courses to 'enhance the effectiveness of driver improvement schemes'.
The courses currently consist of classroom theory with no practical driving test at the end, but transport secretary Sarah Liao Sau-tung said: 'We currently have no plans to include road tests in the courses.'
A Transport Department spokesman said the courses did not address an individual's ability to drive, but rather his or her 'behaviour and attitude' and therefore there was no need for a practical test at the end of the course.