Traffic rulesMalaysia

The Road Transport Department Malaysia (JPJ) administers driver licensing, training standards, examinations, renewals and driver records.

The principal law is the Road Transport Act 1987, supported by the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Rules and related regulations.

Yes. A valid Malaysian licence is recognised throughout Malaysia, subject to its class, conditions and current legal status.

The usual stages are the driver-education curriculum, Part I theory test, Learner Driving Licence, practical training, Parts II and III tests, Probationary Driving Licence and later Competent Driving Licence.

It is an institute authorised by JPJ to register candidates, provide the prescribed curriculum and practical training and prepare candidates for official examinations.

It is JPJ’s public online transaction platform for selected licence, vehicle and enforcement services.

It is JPJ’s official mobile application for checking licence and vehicle information, summonses, demerit points and supported digital services.

Yes. Eligible Malaysian driving-licence information can be displayed through the official MyJPJ system.

A driver travelling abroad should carry the physical licence. A physical card is also useful domestically when electronic access or verification is unavailable.

Yes. Several authorised vehicle classes can be recorded in the same Malaysian driver record.

The minimum age is 17 years.

The minimum age is 16 years.

The minimum age is generally 16, subject to the exact class and current JPJ rules.

The minimum age is generally 21 years.

Applicants for GDL and PSV must generally be at least 21 years old.

The candidate normally registers with an authorised driving institute and completes identity and course registration.

The original MyKad and the photographs or digital identity information required by JPJ and the driving institute.

Yes. A foreign national can apply with a valid passport and the immigration or residence documents required by JPJ.

No. A JPJ or police blacklist can prevent licence issue, renewal or progression.

No. A suspension, cancellation or court disqualification must be resolved.

Yes. JPJ requires the class to be selected before the Learner Driving Licence is issued, subject to the limited class-amendment rules.

No. The candidate must first pass the required theory test and receive a valid LDL.

Not every ordinary private applicant undergoes the vocational medical examination, but the person must satisfy JPJ’s physical and mental fitness requirements.

Yes. Vision, colour recognition and the ability to observe road conditions can be checked during the application and testing process.

Yes. The driving record or licence can require corrective lenses while driving.

No. A person with a disability may apply under the applicable class and assessment procedure.

Yes. JPJ states that an applicant with a disability may bring an appropriately modified vehicle for practical assessment.

Yes. Malaysia maintains special adapted-vehicle licence classes and procedures for eligible applicants.

Yes. Additional medical reports or specialist confirmation can be requested where fitness is uncertain.

Yes. GDL and PSV applicants must satisfy standardised vocational-driver medical requirements.

An authorised government doctor or private medical practitioner completes the prescribed JPJ medical assessment.

Yes. Driving entitlement can be restricted, suspended or revoked when the holder is no longer safe to drive.

JPJ introduced the combined KPP curriculum, allowing a new candidate to attend one theory course covering motorcycle and motorcar knowledge.

The prescribed theory instruction totals six hours, excluding breaks.

It covers Malaysian licensing and traffic signs, driver ethics, defensive-driving theory, varied driving conditions, vehicle maintenance and safety and emergency equipment.

Under the combined-curriculum rules, a qualifying holder normally does not repeat the theory course and test when adding another covered class.

The ordinary separate examination contains 50 questions.

At least 42 out of 50.

The time allowed is 45 minutes.

There are 70 questions.

At least 56 out of 70.

The time allowed is one hour and 15 minutes.

The test result is recorded and the candidate can apply for the relevant Learner Driving Licence.

Yes. Repeat computer testing is available; after repeated failures, JPJ procedures provide written or special testing routes in qualifying cases.

The LDL authorises the holder to learn the specified vehicle class under the official training and supervision rules.

It is issued after the candidate passes Part I and the result remains valid in the JPJ system.

It is normally issued or renewed for three or six months.

It cannot exceed two years from the original date of issue.

The learner process is cancelled and the candidate must repeat the required theory, training and testing stages.

No. It is for learning under the supervision of an authorised instructor, not for independent driving.

No. The LDL vehicle may be used only for authorised learning and examination purposes.

The current curriculum totals 16 practical hours: 5.5 hours of circuit training, 10 hours of road training and a 0.5-hour pre-test assessment.

The current curriculum totals 16 practical hours: 9.5 hours of circuit training, six hours of road training and a 0.5-hour pre-test assessment.

Yes. The driving institute records the candidate’s identity, attendance and completion of the prescribed modules.

Yes, where the institute can arrange the required hours and the candidate is registered for both classes.

Yes. The candidate must complete training, pre-test and competence tests before the two-year maximum expires.

Part II assesses vehicle control and prescribed manoeuvres on the driving circuit.

Part III assesses driving or riding on the road in real traffic conditions.

It can include slope control, parking, three-point turns and the prescribed S and Z courses, with an additional ramp element for automatic cars.

It includes the prescribed balance, control and circuit elements, including the bumpy-course component.

Yes. Both the circuit and road components must be passed for the relevant class.

Yes. Loss of control, collision risk, disobeying instructions or a serious rule violation can cause failure.

The JPJ result and booking rules determine which practical component must be repeated.

Yes. It must be the correct class, properly insured, roadworthy and accepted by JPJ.

The Part II and III results must remain effective in the JPJ system, normally within one year.

The candidate can apply for the Probationary Driving Licence.

The Probationary Driving Licence is the first independent driving licence issued after the practical tests are passed.

It lasts two years for the earliest licence class obtained.

Yes. The holder may drive independently within the authorised class and restrictions.

Yes. The prescribed probationary P signs must be displayed clearly at the front and rear of the vehicle.

No. A PSV applicant must hold a Competent Driving Licence and satisfy the age and medical requirements.

No. JPJ limits IDP applications to eligible CDL holders.

The PDL is cancelled.

JPJ states that a licence cancelled under KEJARA does not qualify for the ordinary exemption used in some expired-licence cases.

The holder can apply within seven days before the probationary period ends.

The application can normally be made within one year after PDL expiry.

An expired-licence appeal or a new licensing process may be required.

The two-year probation is based on the earliest class, although an added class remains subject to its own issue and record conditions.

Class D is the ordinary manual-transmission motorcar class within the applicable private-vehicle weight limit.

Class DA authorises the corresponding automatic-transmission motorcar.

Yes. A manual-car entitlement includes the corresponding automatic car.

No. The holder must complete the required addition or upgrade to Class D.

It covers motorcycles with an engine capacity not exceeding 250 cm³.

It covers larger motorcycles within the full motorcycle entitlement.

No. The relevant motorcycle class must also be held.

It covers the relevant heavy motor-vehicle entitlement and normally requires qualifying lower-class experience and training.

They cover specified tractors, tracked vehicles, heavy machinery and other specialised vehicle classes defined by JPJ.

Yes. The holder follows the theory, LDL, training and practical requirements applicable to each added class.

The Goods Driving Licence is the vocational licence required for qualifying goods-vehicle driving.

The Public Service Vehicle licence is required for qualifying taxi, e-hailing, bus and other public passenger services.

21 years.

Yes. The CDL must satisfy the class and validity conditions for the vocational application.

No.

Yes. A valid vocational medical assessment using the prescribed JPJ form is required.

Yes. The applicant completes the recognised course and tests applicable to GDL, PSV, e-hailing or the requested category.

One year at a time.

Yes. JPJ requires the CDL to remain valid for more than one year for vocational renewal.

No. Operator, vehicle, platform, route and public-transport requirements may also apply.

The Competent Driving Licence is the ordinary post-probation driving licence.

For one to ten years, depending on the selected term and current JPJ conditions.

For one to five years, subject to passport validity and JPJ requirements.

At JPJ offices, UTCs and other authorised channels, including supported digital services.

Yes, for eligible records and licence types supported by the digital renewal service.

A CDL expired for no more than three years can normally use the standard process, subject to JPJ conditions.

The holder must submit an expired-licence appeal or repeat the licensing process if the appeal is not approved.

Yes. The holder can apply for a copy or replacement through the available JPJ channel.

No. A duplicate normally follows the existing licence record unless renewal is completed.

Yes. The application can display the licence class, expiry and other information held in JPJ’s database.

A visitor may drive when the foreign licence is valid and recognised under Malaysian law, an agreement or applicable convention conditions.

Yes when the national licence is not directly recognised or readily understandable, and when required by a rental company.

No. Both documents should be carried together.

Conversion is available only for applicants and issuing countries that satisfy JPJ’s current exemption or conversion rules.

Through the JPJ procedure with the original foreign licence, identity and immigration documents, translation and supporting verification.

Not when a lawful conversion exemption applies; otherwise the person must follow the Malaysian learner and testing process.

No.

A person aged at least 18 who holds an eligible valid CDL and is not blacklisted.

JPJ requires the CDL to remain valid for more than one year.

One year.

It is Malaysia’s demerit-points system for scheduled road-traffic offences.

They are calculated after the offender pays the compound or is convicted for a scheduled offence.

A warning is issued and the points are cleared under the current JPJ table.

The licence can be suspended, with the period increasing for later suspensions.

After three suspensions within a five-year period.

When it reaches 20 or more points.

No. JPJ states that a new LDL application can be made after 12 months from cancellation.

Yes. They can be checked through MyJPJ, the JPJ public portal and the official demerit-check service.

22 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath, 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood or 67 milligrams per 100 millilitres of urine.

Yes. Refusing a required breath, blood or urine procedure is an offence.

No. Driving under the influence of drugs or another substance that impairs control can lead to criminal and licensing consequences.

No. The official JPJ record determines whether the person may legally drive.

This FAQ was prepared from current JPJ service pages, the 2025 combined KPP curriculum, KEJARA guidance and the Road Transport Act framework.

This website is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with JPJ, the Ministry of Transport, a driving institute, examination centre, police authority or medical provider.

Official legislation and instructions from JPJ always take precedence. Last reviewed: 4 August 2026.