What Foreign Students in Malaysia Should Know about Driving Licence and its Conversion?
Driving overseas can be a wonderful adventure, but before you go, make sure your local license is accepted in Malaysia. This thorough guide will give you important information on the nations whose driving licenses is accepted by the Malaysian government, as well as what you will need to bring with you and important things to remember before you embark on your journey.
International Students in Malaysia
More foreign students are accepted into Malaysia than into any other Southeast Asian country. The UNESCO Institute of Statistics (UIS) reports that in 2022, 100437 foreign students obtaining degrees were hosted by Malaysia. (http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=3804). There were over 39,000 Chinese international students studying in Malaysia in 2022. Historically, the majority of foreign students studying in Malaysia have been from nations with sizable Muslim populations. The largest of these is Indonesia, the vast country that borders Malaysia to the south. The second-highest number of international students sent to Malaysia in 2020 came from Indonesia, with 9,902 students sent there.
The majority of overseas students are required to live off campus. Depending on the distance and location of the university, they may occasionally need to use different modes of transportation. Furthermore, a portion of them would desire to acquire a car of their own, for which they need a current Malaysian driver's license.Please be aware that this is not a comprehensive list, and it is always advised to confirm the most recent details before embarking on your trip by contacting the Malaysian embassy or consulate in your country.
It is evident, although, that if you currently hold a driver's license, you are permitted to use it for a total of ninety days after arriving in Malaysia. Then you will have to change your foreign driver's license into a Malaysian driver's license after the ninety-day period. Additionally, you ought to bring an international driver's permit (IDP), which you should get from your home country before leaving to Malaysia. You can drive without any issues for a full year with your IDP. Students who possess driver's licenses from nations that have ratified any treaty or agreement with Malaysia are eligible to apply for license conversion. The Two-Way Agreement between these chosen nations and Malaysia serves as the foundation for this. The following nations are permitted:
Australia, Iraq, Papua New Guinea, Belgium, Italy, France, Holland, Japan, Poland, Brunei, Germany, Russia, China, Korea, Spain, Denmark, Laos, Singapore, Fiji, Libya, Switzerland, Philippines, Mauritius, Thailand, Finland, Egypt, Turkey, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Taiwan, Iran and Nigeria.
It is important to keep in mind that you must have full driving license issued by your country not a learning, temporary, or probationary license. You must enroll in a driving school in order to obtain a valid license.
In Malaysia, there are several prerequisites for converting a foreign driver's license to a Malaysian one:
| No. | Prerequisites |
|---|---|
| 1 | Two JPJ forms (available from JPJ counter or can be printed from their website. |
| 2 | A copy of your passport's information page. |
| 3 | A copy of your student visa. |
| 4 | Own a driver's license valid from your home country, which should be the same as a CDL or PDL issued in Malaysia. |
| 5 | From some countries, you must obtain a verification letter from your embassy in Malaysia. |
| 6 | Only classes, B2 (motorcycle) and D (car) can be converted. |
| 7 | You will only be eligible for a PDL license if your driver's license has a validity period of less than two years; an individual who has a legitimate permit for over 2 years will fit the case for a CDL permit. |
| 8 | Permit holders should present themselves at the JPJ counter to change over their licenses. |
Procedure
Assuming that you have satisfied the above mentioned prerequisites, you might continue with the transformation following these steps:
Go to the main JPJ office —not a branch— with all of your supporting documentation. After reviewing the documents, the consultant will set up an appointment for you. During your appointment, you should continue to submit and check all relevant documents before sending them to the Putrajaya main office for further processing. The relevant authorities will contact you on the date to pick up your driving license valid for one year.
Malaysian Driving Licence
If you do not have a license duly issued by your country or an international driving permit (IDP), it is advised that you should apply for one if you are a student planning to stay in Malaysia for an extended period. You will find it advantageous to be able to travel more extensively, economically, and comfortably with a Malaysian license, especially as not all locations have dependable public transportation.
You can look for a driving school in your area to get admission to initiate licensing procedure and to learn how to Drive in Malaysia. However, always remember to deal directly with the driving school and stay away from middlemen or agents. In any other case, the commissions will result in an extremely high fee. The class D (manual) or DA (automatic), license is the most commonly used license class by foreigners in Malaysia. While a DA license restricts driving automatic vehicles, a D license allows you to operate both manual and automatic vehicles. In addition, class D fee is cheaper than class DA.
Step 1: Enroll in a JPJ recognized driving school
Following your enrollment in the driving school of your choosing, you will go to (Kursus Kurikulum Pendidikan Pemandu= Driver Education Curriculum Course), or KPP01. Among the many topics covered in this six-hour course are traffic signs and the driving code of conduct. For this course, weekends are used. You should behave properly and dress appropriately in the class. The theory test is bilingual (available in both English and Malay). You can use knowledge and testing services offered by Drive In Malaysia if you would rather like to study at your own pace. It has questions that are straight out of the real exam.
Step 2: Finish the Theory Test
This exam will be given at various JPJ locations. The location and travel will be arranged by your driving school. The actual theory test comprises of fifty multiple-choice computerized questions. To pass this test, you must correctly answer 42 questions. To find out if you are color blind, you have fifteen minutes to respond to eight questions before entering into the computerized theory test application. If you cannot correctly answer these questions, you will be disqualified and advised to visit a clinic for your eyesight and colour vision testing. Thus, you are advised to closely focus on this portion of the exam.
Step 3: Get Your LDL and Finish the Instructional Courses
Within a week of passing the computerized theory test, you will receive your learner driver license (LDL). It is required that you have the L-plate visible on your car while you are driving with the LDL. You will now be required to complete the Kursus Kurikulum Pendidikan Pemandu - Latihan Litar, also known as KPP02. Along with your instructor, you will be practicing on a practical circuit to improve your driving skills. Understanding the various parts of your car and knowing how to perform safety checks both before and after driving are among the practical driving lessons. This is what your driving exam will test.
Step 4: Finish and Pass the Driving Exam
The road test is as simple as it sounds; all you have to do is to finish it after finishing the practical circuit test. Of course, the most nerve-wracking aspect of the process is the driving test because JPJ examiners watch your every move and you need to communicate with them using hand signals throughout the practical test. We would advise you to follow your training; do not try any driving tricks. Recall showing your examiners some courtesy and confidence in your abilities. Even if you do not pass the test, you can still drive. Exams are retaken until they are successfully passed. Try your best and maintain composure.
Step 5: Use your PDL to drive for two years
The PDL will be awarded to those who have successfully completed JPJ's circuit exam and road test. You will be able to apply for the CDL once you have driven for two years with the PDL or P-plate. Obtain the Competent Driving License (CDL) as the last step. Well done for getting this far! Bring your PDL with you when you visit the closest JPJ office to obtain your Competent Driving License (CDL). You must pay RM 60 as a foreigner in order to have your license upgraded to a CDL. You have a minimum of one week to apply for the CDL before your PDL expires and a maximum of one year after that. In the unlikely event that you miss this window of opportunity, you will have to reapply.
Conclusion
Depending on your nationality, there are three application categories to convert a foreign driver's license to a local license in Malaysia:
1. Automated conversion.
2. Special approval from Malaysia's Transportation Department Headquarter.
3. Requires a new application and driving exam.
Suggestions
1. It would be great if Malaysian universities help overseas students to learn driving, applying for licenses, and other related things.
2. Universities/Colleges may designate the driving theory exam as a required course in the case student opt to have a personal car during his study period in Malaysia. Universities/Colleges should obtain the information about car driving licence from foreign candidates during admission process.
3. JPJ ought to offer a driving license conversion service or student’s home country issued licence endorsement (whatever is needed) at international airports, which would be fee-based and advantageous to both international students and Malaysian economy.
4. MIROS ought to carry out research on foreign students' driving behavior, their involvement in traffic incidents, and their driving experiences in Malaysia.
Below are the guidelines for "Foreign National Drivers who want to Drive in Malaysia":
“Driving in Malaysia: What Foreign National Drivers Should Know?"
If you are eager to know "Rules of Safe Overtaking in Malaysia", please read the following article:
About the Author
Dr. Hafiz Abbas holds a PhD in Usuluddin from Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah (USAS), Malaysia. He is well versed with Islamic theology, Seerat-un-Nabi (SAW), and principles of Hadith. In addition, he is a teacher of Arabic.
Edited by: Ch. Mahmood Anwar (PhD)
Do comment if you find this article helpful in shaping a hassle-free driving experience in Malaysia.
