Driving licence in Malaysia

Last updated

Malaysian driving licence
Lesen memandu Malaysia
Malaysia driving licence.jpg
Competent driving licence in Malaysia
Malaysian Vocational License.jpg
Vocational driving licence in Malaysia
Type Driving licence
Issued by Flag of Malaysia.svg Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan.svg Road Transport Department Malaysia
PurposeAuthorisation

A driving licence is required in Malaysia before a person is allowed to drive a motor vehicle of any description on a road in Malaysia under the Road Transport Act 1987, section 26(1). Under section 26(1) of the Road Transport Act, an individual must possess a valid driving licence before being permitted to drive on the road, or can be prosecuted under section 26(2). Upon conviction, the miscreant is liable to fines or jail or both. Driving licence holders are subject to all traffic rules stated in the Road Transport Act 1987. [1]

Contents

Types

Learner's Driving Licence (LDL)

Possessed by learners in driving schools. They must first attend a 6 hour of KPP01 or known as Safety Driving Theory, then a Section I examination or Road Laws and Safety Driving. Starting September 2014, LDL licence is issued after the candidate of Section I examination pass their exam without needs to attend Safety Driving Learning Class. Licence holders are only permitted to drive cars displaying the L plate owned by driving schools under the supervision of a driving school instructor. For motorcycle learner's licence holders, they are permitted to ride a motorcycle without a pillion. The learner's licence may be renewed every 3 or 6 months but the licence cannot be possessed for more than 2 years. After the 2 years due date, the licence holders may go to Road Transportation Department (JPJ) to attend of KPP01. [2]

Probationary Driving Licence (PDL)

Possessed by new drivers who have passed all the driving lesson procedures and tests. Holders also need to ensure to bring along driving licence when driving. New drivers are subject to the 20-point Road Safety System (KEJARA) demerit point system, where points will be deducted according to the types of traffic infractions. licence will be revoked after a probationary licence holder accumulates 20 demerit points. [3] Probationary drivers are required to display the probationary licence plate (marked with white capital P in square red background) at the front and back of their respective vehicles. A probationary licence may be upgraded to a full competent driving licence after 2 years, and a grace period of 1 year is given to upgrading the licence before the licence holder may need to restart the whole driving lesson procedures. [4]

Competent Driving Licence (CDL)

A full-fledged driving licence being upgraded from the probationary licence after 2 years. A competent driving licence may be renewed up to 10 years. A grace period of 3 years is given to renew the license before the licence holder may need to restart the whole driving lesson procedures. [4] If the competent driving licence (CDL) holder for one licence class wants to add another driving licence class, he or she does not have to undergo a probationary driving license (PDL) period again.

Vocational Licence

The Vocational Licence consists of three types which are GDL, PSV, and Conductor. Goods Driving Licence (GDL) a licence to drive any commercially registered vehicle used for transporting goods such as Rigid Lorries, Articulated Lorries, Panel Vans and other vehicles. Public Service Vehicle (PSV) is another type of vocational licence that allows the holder to drive any commercial vehicle used for paying passengers such as Taxis, Window Van and Buses. Starting July 12, 2019, ride-hailing drivers (e.g. Grab, Uber) must apply for (PSV - Taxi/E-hailing) licence. The vocational licence must be accompanied with the holder's competent driving licence (CDL) and should have the classes of licence that is equivalent to his or her competent driving licence (CDL). Only applicants with Malaysian nationality or permanent resident with age not less than 21 years old and have a satisfactory level of health are allowed to apply for vocational licence. [5] The renewal period allowed is 1 year only and applicants must submit their medical report each time they want to renew. If the vocational licence expires more than 3 years, applicants need to redo the test.

Classes

The following classes are printed on the new high security driving licence:

ClassDescriptionMinimum ageNotes
A Invalid Carriage (Motorcycle) unladen weight not exceeding 450 kg16The applicant must submit a health check form for the application for a driving licence for disabled persons who have obtained the qualification verification to apply for a driving licence from a medical officer in a government health clinic as prescribed by the Ministry of Health.
A1 Invalid Carriage (Motorcar) unladen weight not exceeding 3500 kg17
B Motorcycle exceeding 500 cc16
B1 Motorcycle not exceeding 500 cc
B2 Motorcycle not exceeding 250 cc
C Three-Wheeled Motorcycle
D Motor Car unladen weight not exceeding 3500 kg17
DA Motor Car Without Clutch Pedal unladen weight not exceeding 3500 kg
E Heavy Motor Car unladen weight exceeding 7500 kg21Have been holding class D (CDL) for at least one year. On March 1, 2022, 67,000 class E1 and E2 holders were transitioned to class E. Class E1 and E2 was no longer offered. [6]
E1 Heavy Motor Car unladen weight not exceeding 7500 kg
E2 Heavy Motor Car unladen weight not exceeding 5000 kg
F Tractor/Mobile Machinery Light (Wheeled) unladen weight not exceeding 5000 kg21
G Tractor/Mobile Machinery Light (Tracked) unladen weight not exceeding 5000 kg
H Tractor/Mobile Machinery Heavy (Wheeled) unladen weight exceeding 5000 kg
I Tractor/Mobile Machinery Heavy (Tracked) unladen weight exceeding 5000 kg
MCourt Conviction

Vocational licence types and classes:

TypeClass
PSVD: Taxi/ Luxury Taxi/ E-hailing
PKW aus Zusatzzeichen 1048-10.svg
PSVD: Minibus/Van (Light Motor Car)
Light commercial van symbol.svg
PSVE: Bus unladen weight > 7500 kg
BSicon BUS.svg
GDLB2: Motorcycle <= 250 cc
Motorrad aus Zusatzzeichen 1046-12.svg
GDLB: Motorcycle > 500 cc
Motorrad aus Zusatzzeichen 1046-12.svg
GDLD: Unladen weight <= 3500 kg
Sinnbild LKW.svg
GDLE: Unladen weight > 7500 kg (Heavy Rigid)
Sinnbild LKW.svg
GDLE: Unladen weight > 7500 kg (Articulated)
LKW mit Aufleger aus Zusatzzeichen 1048-14.svg

Road Safety System (KEJARA)

This system is applicable to both Probationary and Competent driving licences. This system was introduced to:

  1. Reduce accident rates.
  2. To raise awareness of road safety towards all drivers.
  3. Ensure all drivers to always obey the traffic laws.
  4. Raise disciplined, responsible and cognizant drivers on the road.
  5. Take legal actions towards any drivers whom had breached the laws.

Driving licence suspension system:

Accumulated demerit pointsCDL PenaltyPDL PenaltyEndorsement
The first 20 pointsWarning12 months suspensionPoints eliminated
The next 20 points6 to 8 months suspensionN/APoints eliminated
The next 20 points8 to 10 months suspensionN/APoints eliminated
The next 20 points10 to 12 months suspensionN/APoints eliminated

Drivers whose licence has been suspended three times in a period of five years will have their driving licence revoked and are not allowed to drive or receive a driver's licence for 12 months from the date of the licence was revoked. [7]

Road penalties associated with KEJARA demerit points:

All vehicles other than buses and goods transportersGoods transporters and busesOffence
10 points10 pointsDriving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
10 points10 pointsDriving with a blood alcohol level beyond the set limit.
10 points10 pointsReckless and dangerous driving
10 points10 pointsFailure to provide breath specimen when directed
10 points10 pointsFailure to provide breath, urine or blood specimen when directed
n/a10 pointsCarrying dangerous or potentially dangerous loads
n/a10 pointsCarrying loads that extend beyond the body of the vehicle
n/a10 pointsCarrying an improperly secured load
n/a10 pointsCarrying a load using an unsuitable transporter
4 points5 pointsFailure to obey a police officer, road official or traffic warden's instructions
4 points6 pointsFailure to observe a red light
4 points6 pointsFailure to observe a stop sign
4 points6 pointsSpeeding:More than 40 km/h over limit
3 points5 pointsSpeeding:Between 25 km/h and 40 km/h over limit
2 points4 pointsSpeeding:Between 1 km/h and 25 km/h over limit
n/a6 pointsOverloading
n/a6 pointsUsing a goods transporter as a people carrier
4 points6 pointsImproper use of emergency lane
4 points6 pointsOvertaking on the left
3 points5 pointsFailure to yield
3 points5 pointsUsing a telephone or electronic device while driving
n/a4 pointsOperating a goods transporter on the rightmost lane
3 points3 pointsFailure to wear a safety belt
2 points2 pointsRiding without an approved safety helmet
5 pointsn/aFailing to bring driving licence along. (Learner & Probationary)
10 pointsn/aFailing to display the P stickers on vehicle. (Probationary)

Conversion

Foreigners holding driving licences from countries with signatories to any treaty or agreement with Malaysia may apply for conversion of driving licence to drive in Malaysia. [8] Meanwhile, citizens of a member state from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) only need to possess a valid driving licence of their respective countries to drive in Malaysia, and do not require any conversions or an International Driving Permit (IDP). [9] [10] [1]

Digitalisation

MyJPJ app was introduced by the Road Transport Department in February 2023 for license to display their digital driving licence and road tax on their mobile devices as an alternative to carrying around their physical copies.

On February 10, it was announced that Malaysian-owned private vehicle owners will no longer be required to display their physical road tax on their windshield or carry it around. It was also announced that users are not required to download the MyJPJ application as it can be verified by the police.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newly licensed driver plate</span> Provisional driving plates

An L-plate is a square plate bearing a sans-serif letter L, for learner, which must be affixed to the front and/or back of a vehicle in many countries if its driver is a learner under instruction, or a motorcycle rider with provisional entitlement to ride restricted motorcycles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commercial driver's license</span> License to operate large or heavy vehicles

A commercial driver's license (CDL) is a driver's license required in the United States to operate large and heavy vehicles or a vehicle of any size that transports hazardous materials or more than 15 passengers.

Graduated driver licensing systems (GDLS) are designed to provide new drivers of motor vehicles with driving experience and skills gradually over time in low-risk environments. There are typically three steps or stages through which new drivers pass. They begin by acquiring a learner's permit, progress to a restricted, probationary or provisional license, followed by receipt of a full driver's license. Graduated drivers' licensing generally restricts nighttime, expressway, and unsupervised driving during initial stages, but lifts these restrictions with time and further testing of the individual, eventually concluding with the individual attaining a full driver's license.

A driver's permit, learner's permit, learner's license or provisional license is a restricted license that is given to a person who is learning to drive, but has not yet satisfied the prerequisite to obtain a driver's license. Having a learner's permit for a certain length of time is usually one of the requirements for applying for a full driver's license. To get a learner's permit, one must typically pass a written permit test, take a basic competency test in the vehicle, or both.

Many countries have adopted a penalty point or demerit point system under which a person’s driving license is revoked or suspended based on the number of points they’ve accumulated over a specific period of time, points are given for traffic offenses or infringements committed by them in that period. The demerit points schemes of each jurisdiction varies. These demerit schemes are usually in addition to fines or other penalties which may be imposed for a particular offence or infringement, or after a prescribed number of points have been accumulated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Driver licences in Australia</span> Australian driving permit

Driver licences in Australia refer to the official permit required for a person to legally drive a motor vehicle in Australia. The issue of driver licences, alongside the regulation and enforcement of road use, are all managed by state and territory governments.

In Canada, driver's licences are issued by the government of the province or territory in which the driver is residing. Thus, specific regulations relating to driver's licences vary province to province, though overall they are quite similar. All provinces have provisions allowing non-residents to use licences issued by other provinces and territories, out-of-country licences, and International Driving Permits. Many provinces also allow non-residents to use regular licences issued by other nations and countries. Canadian driver's licences are also valid in many other countries due to various international agreements and treaties.


In India, a driving licence is an official document that authorises its holder to operate various types of motor vehicles on highways and some other roads to which the public has access. In various Indian states, they are administered by the Regional Transport Authorities/Offices (RTA/RTO). A driving licence is required in India by any person driving a vehicle on any highway or other road defined in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. This act sets limits on the minimum age for vehicle operation ranging from 16 to 20, depending on specific circumstances. A modern photo of the driving licence can also serve many of the purposes of an identity card in non-driving contexts, such as proof of identity or age.

In Pakistan, the driving licence is the official document which authorises its holder to operate various types of motor vehicles on publicly accessible roads. Driving licences can be obtained by submitting an application to any licensing authority in the applicant's district.

A driving licence in Singapore is required before a person is allowed to drive a motor vehicle of any description on a road in the country. Like many other countries in the world, an individual must possess a valid driving licence before being permitted to drive on the road, and driving licence holders are subject to all traffic rules.

The New Zealand driver licence system is a graduated system that has been in place since 1988. It consists of three phases for a car licence, each with varying levels of conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Driving licence in the United Kingdom</span> UK official document

In the United Kingdom, a driving licence is the official document which authorises its holder to operate motor vehicles on highways and other public roads. It is administered in England, Scotland and Wales by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and in Northern Ireland by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA). A driving licence is required in England, Scotland, and Wales for any person driving a vehicle on any highway or other "road", as defined in s.192 Road Traffic Act 1988, irrespective of the ownership of the land over which the road passes. Similar requirements apply in Northern Ireland under the Road Traffic Order 1981.

The laws of driving under the influence vary between countries. One difference is the acceptable limit of blood alcohol content before a person is charged with a crime. Thresholds range from the limit of detection (zero-tolerance) to 0.08%. Some countries have no limits or laws on blood alcohol content.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Driving licence in Bangladesh</span>

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, widely known as BRTA, is the authority to issue driving licences in Bangladesh. BRTA, stationed in 32 districts among the 62 administrative circles, at the authority of Ministry of Communication and under the Motor honda Ordinance, 2001, regulates particular process and authorises any person intending to drive motor honda. It provides the facilities to hold thorough driving tests to determine if an applicant is able to abide by certain rules and get the licence to drive motor honda or not.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Road Transport Department Malaysia</span>

The Road Transport Department Malaysia, is a government department under the Malaysian Ministry of Transport. This department is responsible for issuing Malaysian number plates. Its head office is in Level 1-5, Block D4, Complex D, in the Federal Government Administrative Centre in Putrajaya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Driving licence in Hong Kong</span> Overview of driving licences in Hong Kong

Driving licences in Hong Kong are issued by the Transport Department. A full driving licence is valid for 10 years and is compulsory in order to drive a motor vehicle. Most driving licences are issued after the applicant passed a driving test for the respective type of vehicles. They may be issued without a test if the applicant is a holder of an overseas driving licence issued on passing a driving test in an approved country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of Transport (Malaysia)</span>

The Ministry of Transport, abbreviated MOT, is a ministry of the Government of Malaysia that is responsible for transport: road transport, civil aviation, road safety, port authority, maritime, air accident investigation, logistic and maritime safety. The ministry is headquartered in Putrajaya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Driving licence in Thailand</span> Thai driving licence

Driving licence in Thailand is a document that allows the holder to drive on any roads in the Kingdom of Thailand. The minimum age to drive a motor vehicle is 18, and to drive a motorcycle is 15. Driving licence is issued and administered by the Department of Land Transport, Ministry of Transport and its branches, land transport offices across Thailand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Driver's license</span> Document allowing one to drive a motorized vehicle

A driver's license, driving licence, or driving permit is a legal authorization, or the official document confirming such an authorization, for a specific individual to operate one or more types of motorized vehicles—such as motorcycles, cars, trucks, or buses—on a public road. Such licenses are often plastic and the size of a credit card.

A Lebanese driving licence is a driving licence issued by the government of Lebanon. It authorises its holder to operate various types of motor vehicles on highways and some other publicly accessible roads. It is issued by each individual district.

References

  1. 1 2 "Akta Pengangkutan Jalan" [Road Transport Act]. No. 333 of 1987 (PDF) (in Malay).
  2. Lesen Belajar Memandu (LDL) saya telah tamat tempoh melebihi 2 tahun. Adakah saya masih boleh memperbaharuinya bagi membolehkan saya duduki ujian praktikal? [ permanent dead link ](in Malay) - FAQ from Malaysian Road Transport Department Website.
  3. http://www.jpj.gov.my/en/web/main-site/kejara Archived October 10, 2018, at the Wayback Machine (in Malay) - from the official page of Malaysian Road Transport Department.
  4. 1 2 Lesen Memandu - Berapa lamakah tempoh lesen memandu tamat jika saya tidak memperbaharuinya? [ permanent dead link ](in Malay) - FAQ from Malaysian Road Transport Department Website.
  5. "Driving License - JPJ Portal - Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan".
  6. Izwaashura Sadali (28 February 2022). "Lesen memandu E2, E1 dan E digabungkan jadi Kelas Lesen E sahaja mulai 1 Mac 2022 - Menteri MOT - paultan.org". Paul Tan's Automotive News. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  7. "Kejara". Road Transport Department Malaysia. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  8. "JPJ: Convert your foreign driving licence to a Malaysian one from tomorrow". malay mail. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  9. "Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences Issued by ASEAN Countries" (PDF). Kuala Lumpur. 9 July 1985.
  10. "Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licenses Issued By ASEAN Countries". Kuala Lumpur. 9 July 1985.

Further reading