Moving to a new country, and all the legalities and arrangements that come with it, can be a daunting prospect – and the challenge of driving on the roads of that new country can add to the stress. This is even more the case when the host country’s main language isn’t one you’re familiar with. There’s also the hassle of converting your foreign driving licence in Malaysia. If you’re trying to source the best information, sometimes things can get lost in translation – especially with so many thoughts and opinions on social media forums.
Here, then, is Expat Living’s tried-and-tested approach to converting your international and foreign driving licences in Malaysia, and getting on the road.
(Note: The following steps are just a general guide. You may find there are some variations to the requirements set out below, or extra steps that need to be taken, depending on your nationality.)
Eligibility criteria for a driving licence in Malaysia
Before getting into the application process, it’s important to know about eligibility first. Who can drive on Malaysian roads?
Most foreigners who are visiting Malaysia as a tourist only can drive with a valid international driving permit (IDP) accompanied by their driving licence from their country of origin. (You’ll find many online forums also pointing out that some nationalities only require their country-of-origin licence, not the additional IDP.)
However, after 90 days, you will be required to convert your foreign driving licence into a Malaysia Driving Licence.
The guidelines below are applicable for expatriates holding residence, talent or employment passes (EP1 and EP2), Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) holders and their spouses, plus PhD students with a student pass.
Here are the steps you’ll need to take, in chronological order:
#1 Fill out the required forms for converting your foreign driving licence
In any online research you do about driving in Malaysia, you’ll soon come upon a reference to “Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan” – this is the name of Malaysia’s Road Transport Department. It’s the office you’ll deal with to get your licence sorted.
People from most countries will be required to fill out two different application forms to convert their licence. Here are links to both of them:
Note that while the Lampiran B-2 form is in both Malay and English, the first form, JPJ L1, is only in Malay. If you can’t find someone to help you with the translation, our advice is to take the empty form when you go to the JPJ office (step #2), and get it filled out there.
#2 Submit the forms in person at a JPJ office
For those in Kuala Lumpur, the address of the JPJ or Road Transport Office is Lot 14264, Jalan Genting Kelang, Setapak, 53300. For expats in other areas, you can find a list of Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) local offices here.
Your visit to the JPJ will include an interview with a JPJ Officer. You’ll need to have the following documents:
- Passport (original & photocopy)
- International driving licence and/or country-of-origin driving licence
- Translation of country-of-origin driving licence (if not in English)
- 3 passport-size photos on a white background
- Completed application forms: JPJ L1 and Lampiran B-2
Note: Applicants are advised to arrive early (ideally before 8am) at the JTJ office. On arrival, you’ll be given a token number – applicants will be dealt with on a first-come, first-served basis. If you come late, there may be no token numbers left for the day, and you’ll need to return another time.
#3 Receive an application slip
Once the interview is complete and the forms are submitted, you’ll be issued with an application slip.
#4 Check the status of your application
Once you have your application slip, you need to regularly check the status of your application. You won’t receive any further correspondence about your licence; instead, you’ll need to keep an eye on this link:
To check the status, under Category, choose “NON-MALAYSIAN (LLN)”. You’ll then need to enter your ID number (e.g., passport number) and a Captcha code. The status of your licence application will be listed at the bottom of the page.
#5 Collect approved driving licence
Once the status of your application is confirmed as approved at the link mentioned above, you can proceed to the JPJ office that you originally applied at. Note that you’ll need to do this in person – no third party is permitted to make a collection.
#6 Bring the relevant documents for collecting your driving licence
- Passport
- Application slip
- 1 passport-size photos on a white background
- RM150 (fee)
You’ll then be issued with a Provisional Driving Licence (PDL). This will be valid for two years. Upon completion of the two years, you can go back to the JPJ office and get issued with a Competent Driving Licence (CDL).
The whole process above will usually take around 30 days to complete, however, in some cases, a longer duration will be required.
Found this helpful? Keep an eye on our site for more useful information on living in Malaysia!
