Foreign Driving License Achievement & Conversion in Malaysia
Moving around states in Malaysia is convenient with a vehicle, with its close proximity from states to states. If you are a foreigner in Malaysia who plans to drive in the country, it is good to understand the types of driving licenses available and the laws before converting your foreign driving license.
Types of Driving Licenses in Malaysia
There are 15 different types of classes for driving licenses and each has its specific purpose when it comes to operating the various vehicles.
Aside from the above driving license classes, there are 5 types of driving licenses based on the driver’s level of driving experience:
- Learning Driving License (LDL): The LDL allows individual to learn to drive according to the prescribed classes such as B, B2, D and E under supervision. This license has to be renewed every 3 to 6 months and is valid for 2 years.
- Probationary Driving License (PDL): This license is given to new drivers who have passed the test and is issued by the Driving Institute. The probation period is 2 years.
- Competent Driving License (CDL): CDL is a valid driver’s license issued by Jabatan Pengankutan Jalan (JPJ, Ministry of Transport of Malaysia) to an individual after expiration of the two-years probationary period.
- Vocational Driving License (VDL): This is a special driving license for commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses issued by JPJ and LPKP.
- International Driving Permit (IDP): This license allows Malaysians to drive in different countries.
NOTE: Mobiles can only be used with a hands-free system while driving and it is essential to drive on the left lane at all times to avoid road accident!
Foreign Driving Licenses Laws in Malaysia
Upon arrival to Malaysia, you are allowed to drive around with an international driver’s license for a total period of 90 days. After the 90 days, you will be required to convert your foreign driving license into a Malaysia Driving License.
Foreigners holding driving licenses from countries with signatories to any treaty or agreement with Malaysia may apply for conversion of driving license. The license must be a full license and does not include learning license, temporary license, or probationary license.
To get a valid license, you will need to apply for an international driving license or enroll at a driving school. With effect from 31st December 2020, all foreigners can convert their driving license through the correct procedure on the JPJ website Malaysia.
Sequence for Circuit Test
1. RPK
2. Ramp
3. Slope
4. U-Turn, Do side parking
5. 3 point turn.
6. S curve
7. Last element is Z curve
Rpk Check :
- road tax
- windshield
- wiper
- car hood GC
- Front lights
- Bumper
- License plate
- Tyre
- Window
- Mirror
- Window
- Tyre
- Back windshield
- Back wiper
- Car boot not dented
- Back lights
- Plate number GD and complete
- Car jack
- Nut opener
- Tools
- Triangle
- Spare tyre GD
- Using petrol
- Cap GD
- Tyre
- Window
- Window
- Mirror
- Tyre
- Brake fluid at SL
- Power steering fluid not present
- Dip stick check level
- Engine oil tank
- Belting GC
- Radiator
- Radiator container
- Rubber Jose no leakage and GC
- Wipper water container at SL
- Dry cell battery in GC
*Routine Before Driving*
1) Enter the car and step on the foot break
2) Check On Car handbreak, its been pulled up
3) Adjust the seat to give driver an optimal control of stering, clucth, break and the accelerator providing comfort while driving
4) Adjust side mirror — Right and left, (25% covering body of vehicle & 75% visibility (reduce the blindspot)
5) Hitch and fasten seatbelt
6) Step on the clutch (only for manual) or footbreak. Make sure the Gear is at P position (press the lock button to move the Gear)
7) “On” the engine, turn the key, clockwise, (Check the key indicator)
8) To ensure equipment switch works well and for the driver to recognised/ ubderstand thw switch works perfectly, Check on 8 indicators on the ‘Motor Panel:
a) Takometer/RPM — Display rate of engine rotation permnt
b) Speedometer — Display Vehicle Movement Speed
c) Petrol Level
d) Temperature Level
e) Warning Sign For Lubricant Pressure
f) Warning Sign for Temperature
g) Warning Sign for Door
h) Warning Sign for h/break
I) Warning Sign for Car battery
9. Check on Signal Light, front lights
10. Check wiper
11. Check hazard light
12. Check on the Hon
Parking
Stay close to the left (about 1 mtr)
1. Turn left completely and reverse back — find the sharp edge and stop
2. Turn right 2x — to straighten the tires and move the car until the back tire nearly touches the yellow line.
3. Full turn to right & reverse the car and stop before the bumper touches the line.
4. Turn left completely and move forward slowly until the front view is straighthen up. Stop, free gear and pull up the hand break. 2x to the right. Hon and raise ur hand.
*Going Out*
5. Full turn to left, reverse and stop before the line. 6. Full turn to right, signal, slowly move out from the parking box.
7. Stop before the yellow line and drive out the junction
Converting Your Foreign Driving License in Malaysia
There are certain requirements when it comes to foreign driving license conversion in Malaysia:
- For non-Malaysian citizens, you must have a Long/Short Term Social Visit Pass, are on the MM2H programme, or are married to a Malaysian citizen. People on work permits and dependent passes are viewed as temporary residents and cannot convert their driving license.
- Have a valid driver’s license from your home country that is equivalent to a Malaysian CDL or PDL. If your current valid driver’s license is not printed in English, you will need to present a verified translation of your driving license from the embassy of the issuing country or from the issuing authority in charge of the relevant license information.
- Conversion is only for class B2 (motorcycle) and class D (car).
- If your driver’s license abroad is valid for less than 2 years, you will only qualify for a PDL license; a person who has a valid license for more than 2 years will qualify for a CDL license.
- License holders must present themselves at the JPJ offices to convert their licenses.
If you have fulfilled those requirements, you may proceed with the conversion following these steps:
- Make your way to the main JPJ office (not a branch)
- Bring along all supporting documents and upon checking the documents, the consultant will give you an appointment date and time to revisit again
- Return back during appointment date and proceed submitting and checking all relevant documents before sending it for further processing in Putrajaya main office
- Relevant authorities will contact you on the date to collect your driving license valid for 1 year
- Renewal of driving license can be done easily at nearby branch for a small fee
The supporting documents needed when converting your Foreign Driving License to Malaysia Driving License consists of the following
- Completed Driving License Application Form (JPJ L1)
• Completed Application Form Exemption Application Method 5
• Original and copy of your passport
• Original and copy of your EP issued by the immigration
• Original and copy of foreign driving license
• A translation of your foreign driving license from the embassy of the issuing country or from the issuing authority in charge of the relevant license information in English if your current valid driver’s license is not printed in English
• Offer letter or confirmation letter from your Employer
• Proof that you were you living in the country you at the time your foreign driving license was issued if your foreign driving license is issued by a country which is not your nationality
Inquiry of Foreign Country Driving License Exchange
Inquiry application for conversion of foreign driving license for Diplomatic Pass holder and Singapore Driving License holder for Malaysian who had converted their Malaysia Driving License in order to obtain Singapore Driving License. Approval of the application is from Road Transport Department (RTD) headquarters only.
Headquarters
Road Transport Department
Kementerian Pengangkutan Malaysia
Aras 3–5, №26, Jalan Tun Hussein, Presint 4
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
62100 Putrajaya
General : 03 8000 8000
Fax : 03 8881 0194
If you are based in Kuala Lumpur — JPJ Portal, here is the Counter Service Hours in Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur:
Kuala Lumpur (Wangsa Maju) Counter Services
Monday — Thursday: 8.00 a.m — 4.30 p.m
Friday: 8.00 a.m — 4.30 p.m (Rest hours: 12.15 p.m — 2.45 p.m)
Lot 14264
53300 Setapak
Telephone: 03 41450800
Fax: 03–40236599
Koordinat: 3.203649,101.724244
Bandar Sri Permaisuri / Bandar Menjalara Branch Counter Services
Monday — Thursday: 8.00 a.m — 4.30 p.m
Friday: 8.00 a.m — 4.30 p.m (Rest hours: 12.15 p.m — 2.45 p.m)
1, Jalan Sri Permaisuri 8,
Bandar Sri Permaisuri,
56000 Kuala Lumpur
Telephone: 03–91727461
Fax: 03–91727343
Koordinat: 3.12991,101.71130
UTC Pudu Sentral / Keramat / Sentul Counter Services
Monday — Sunday: 8.00 a.m — 4.30 p.m
Friday: 8.00 a.m — 4.30 p.m (Rest hours: 12.15 p.m — 2.45 p.m)
2, Jalan Medan Putra 4,
Medan Putra Business Centre,
52200 Kuala Lumpur
Telephone: 03–62701740/1751
Fax: 03–62701495
Koordinat: 3.23762,101.62718
JPJ UTC Kuala Lumpur Office
(Pudu Sentral)
T2–5, Pudu Sentral
50250 Kuala Lumpur
Telephone: 03–20262151 / 03–20262152
Fax: 03–20262131
Koordinat: 3.145687,101.700712
JPJ Mini UTC Sentul Office
T3–05, Kompleks Perniagaan dan Komuniti
Jalan 2/48A, Bandar Baru Sentul
51000 Kuala Lumpur
Telephone: 03–4040 0159
Fax: 03–4040 0282
Koordinat: 3.181029,101.697580
JPJ Mini UTC Keramat Office
Mini UTC Keramat
Keramat Mall
Jalan Datuk Keramat
54000 Kuala Lumpur
Telephone: 03–4256 0868
Fax: 03–4256 0878
Koordinat: 3.165482,101.724239
Public must use online queue number system for transactions at JPJ counters — JPJeQ (Google Play Store / App Store)
