Driving information — Malaysia

Reviewed summary

A qualifying domestic driving licence issued by another ASEAN country may be recognised for temporary driving in Malaysia under the ASEAN driving-licence recognition framework and Malaysian law, provided the licence remains valid and authorises the relevant class or description of vehicle.

Legal basis

1985 ASEAN Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences Issued by ASEAN Countries; Malaysia Instrument of Ratification; Malaysia Road Transport Act 1987 [Act 333], particularly sections 5, 25, 26, 28 and 39; official JPJ guidance concerning foreign vehicles and drivers; and the 1997 Protocol to Amend ASEAN Agreements.

Licence conditions

The domestic driving licence must remain valid in the issuing country and must authorise the relevant class or description of vehicle. Temporary, provisional and learner licences are excluded under the ASEAN Agreement. If the licence is not drawn up in English, the certified English translation requirement in Article 3 of the ASEAN Agreement applies. Section 28 of Act 333 provides the Malaysian treaty-recognition basis for qualifying foreign domestic driving licences.

Other destination-country information

The recognised domestic licence must authorise the corresponding vehicle class or description. Under section 5 of Act 333, a motorcar is generally a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, built to carry goods or passengers and having an unladen weight not exceeding 3,500 kg.

The ASEAN Agreement applies to licence holders intending only a temporary stay in another ASEAN country. Act 333 does not establish a general fixed maximum number of days for an ASEAN visitor relying directly on a recognised domestic driving licence. The 90-day period in section 21 concerns a visitor licence for a foreign vehicle and should not be presented as a general ASEAN driving-licence duration.

Drivers remain subject to Malaysian road-traffic law while driving in Malaysia. Official JPJ guidance contains additional requirements for foreign-registered vehicles entering Malaysia; those vehicle-entry conditions should not be presented as universal conditions for every ASEAN visitor driving a locally registered or rented vehicle.

Reviewed summary

A qualifying domestic motorcycle driving licence issued by another ASEAN country may be recognised for temporary riding in Malaysia under the ASEAN driving-licence recognition framework and Malaysian law, provided the licence remains valid and authorises the relevant motorcycle class or description.

Legal basis

1985 ASEAN Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences Issued by ASEAN Countries; Malaysia Instrument of Ratification; Malaysia Road Transport Act 1987 [Act 333], particularly sections 5, 25, 26, 28, 39 and 49; official JPJ guidance concerning foreign vehicles and drivers; and the 1997 Protocol to Amend ASEAN Agreements.

Licence conditions

The domestic motorcycle driving licence must remain valid in the issuing country and must authorise the relevant motorcycle class or description. Temporary, provisional and learner licences are excluded under the ASEAN Agreement. If the licence is not drawn up in English, the certified English translation requirement in Article 3 of the ASEAN Agreement applies. Section 28 of Act 333 provides the Malaysian treaty-recognition basis for qualifying foreign domestic driving licences.

Other destination-country information

The recognised domestic licence must authorise the corresponding motorcycle class or description. Under section 5 of Act 333, a motorcycle is generally a motor vehicle with fewer than four wheels and an unladen weight not exceeding 450 kg.

The ASEAN Agreement applies to licence holders intending only a temporary stay in another ASEAN country. Act 333 does not establish a general fixed maximum number of days for an ASEAN visitor relying directly on a recognised domestic motorcycle licence. The 90-day period in section 21 concerns a visitor licence for a foreign vehicle and should not be presented as a general ASEAN driving-licence duration.

Motorcycle riders remain subject to Malaysian road-traffic and motorcycle-safety law. Section 49 limits a two-wheel motorcycle to one passenger in addition to the driver and requires the passenger to sit behind the driver on a properly designed and securely fitted seat. Official JPJ guidance also states that motorcyclists must wear helmets. Foreign-vehicle entry conditions should not be presented as universal conditions for every ASEAN visitor riding a locally registered or rented motorcycle.