A driving licence is required in Malaysia (Malay: Lesen Memandu Malaysia - LMM) before a person is allowed to drive a motor vehicle of any description on a road in Malaysia under Section 26(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333). 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.
Types
Learner's Driving Licence (LDL) The Learner's Driving Licence (Malay: Lesen Belajar Memandu) must be possessed by learners in driving schools. They must first attend a 6 hour of KPP01 class or also known as Safety Driving Theory, then they must pass the Section I computer examination or also known as Road Laws and Safety Driving Test.
Licence holders are only permitted to drive car 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, the licence holders may go to Road Transport Department (JPJ) to attend KPP01 again.Lesen Belajar Memandu (LDL) saya telah tamat tempoh melebihi 2 tahun. Adakah saya masih boleh memperbaharuinya bagi membolehkan saya duduki ujian praktikal? - FAQ from Malaysian Road Transport Department Website.
Probationary Driving Licence (PDL) The Probationary Driving Licence (Malay: Lesen Memandu Percubaan) is possessed by new drivers who have passed all the driving lesson procedures and tests. PDL 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 offences. The licence will be revoked after a probationary licence holder accumulates 20 demerit points.http://www.jpj.gov.my/en/web/main-site/kejara - from the official page of Malaysian Road Transport Department.
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.Lesen Memandu - Berapa lamakah tempoh lesen memandu tamat jika saya tidak memperbaharuinya? - FAQ from Malaysian Road Transport Department Website.
Competent Driving Licence (CDL) A full-fledged driving licence (Malay: Lesen Memandu Kompeten) 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. If the competent driving licence (CDL) holder for one licence class wants to add another driving licence class, then he or she does not have to undergo a probationary driving licence (PDL) period again.
Vocational Licence (VC) The Vocational Licence (Malay: Lesen Vokasional) consists of three types of licence:
Goods Driving Licence (GDL) (Malay: Lesen Memandu Barangan) is a licence to drive any commercially registered vehicle used for transporting goods such as rigid lorries, articulated lorries, panel van and other commercial vehicles which deliver goods. Public Service Vehicle (PSV) (Malay: Kenderaan Perkhidmatan Awam) is a vocational licence that allows the holder to drive any commercial vehicle used for bringing paid passengers such as taxi, limousine and bus. Starting 12 July 2019, e-hailing service drivers (e.g. Grab, Uber, InDrive etc.) must apply for PSV licence. Conductor's Licence (Malay: Lesen Konduktor) - no longer offered.
The vocational licence must be accompanied with the holder's competent driving licence and should have the classes of licence that is equivalent to his or her competent driving licence. 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. 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 Invalid Carriage (Motorcycle) unladen weight not exceeding 450 kg16 The 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. They also must drive a specially-modified vehicles throughout the driving lessons.Invalid Carriage (Motorcar) unladen weight not exceeding 3500 kg17Motorcycle exceeding 500 cc16 Starting in 2024, those who have possessed B1 or B2 class licence for more than 10 years can upgrade their licence to B class, provided that they must attend a special driving lesson & does not possess any traffic summons or had been charged in court for any traffic offences under the Road Transport Act 1987.Motorcycle not exceeding 500 ccMotorcycle not exceeding 250 ccThree-Wheeled MotorcycleMotor Car unladen weight not exceeding 3500 kg 17 Motor Car Without Clutch Pedal unladen weight not exceeding 3500 kg Heavy Motor Car unladen weight exceeding 7500 kg 21 Have 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.Heavy Motor Car unladen weight not exceeding 7500 kgHeavy Motor Car unladen weight not exceeding 5000 kgTractor/Mobile Machinery Light (Wheeled) unladen weight not exceeding 5000 kg 21 Tractor/Mobile Machinery Light (Tracked) unladen weight not exceeding 5000 kgTractor/Mobile Machinery Heavy (Wheeled) unladen weight exceeding 5000 kgTractor/Mobile Machinery Heavy (Tracked) unladen weight exceeding 5000 kgCourt Conviction
Vocational licence types and classes: Type Class PSV: Taxi/ Luxury Taxi/ E-hailingPSV: Minibus/Van (Light Motor Car)PSV: Bus unladen weight > 7500 kgGDL: Motorcycle <= 250 ccGDL: Motorcycle > 500 ccGDL: Unladen weight <= 4000 kgGDL: Unladen weight > 7500 kg (Heavy Rigid)GDL: Unladen weight > 7500 kg (Articulated)
Road Safety System (KEJARA) This system is applicable to both Probationary and Competent driving licences. This system was introduced to: Reduce accident rates. To raise awareness of road safety towards all drivers. Ensure all drivers to always obey the traffic laws. Raise disciplined, responsible and cognizant drivers on the road. Take legal actions towards any drivers whom had breached the laws.
Driving licence suspension system: Accumulated demerit points CDL Penalty PDL Penalty EndorsementThe first 20 pointsWarning12 months suspensionPoints eliminatedThe next 20 points6 to 8 months suspensionN/APoints eliminatedThe next 20 points8 to 10 months suspensionN/APoints eliminatedThe 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.
Road penalties associated with KEJARA demerit points:
All vehicles other than buses and goods transporters Goods transporters and buses Offence10 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 driving10 points10 pointsFailure to provide breath specimen when directed10 points10 pointsFailure to provide breath, urine or blood specimen when directedn/a10 pointsCarrying dangerous or potentially dangerous loadsn/a10 pointsCarrying loads that extend beyond the body of the vehicle n/a10 pointsCarrying an improperly secured loadn/a10 pointsCarrying a load using an unsuitable transporter4 points5 pointsFailure to obey a police officer, road official or traffic warden's instructions4 points6 pointsFailure to observe a red light4 points6 pointsFailure to observe a stop sign4 points6 pointsSpeeding:More than 40 km/h over limit3 points5 pointsSpeeding:Between 25 km/h and 40 km/h over limit2 points4 pointsSpeeding:Between 1 km/h and 25 km/h over limitn/a6 pointsOverloadingn/a6 pointsUsing a goods transporter as a people carrier4 points6 pointsImproper use of emergency lane4 points6 pointsOvertaking on the left3 points5 pointsFailure to yield3 points5 pointsUsing a telephone or electronic device while drivingn/a4 pointsOperating a goods transporter on the rightmost lane3 points3 pointsFailure to wear a safety belt2 points2 pointsRiding without an approved safety helmet5 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. 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).
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.
References
Further reading A textbook.
External links
Malaysia JPJ Website