Although, moving around states in Malaysia is convenient with a vehicle, with its proximity from state to state. If you are a foreigner in Malaysia who plans to drive in the country, it is beneficial 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.
| LICENSE CLASSES | PURPOSE |
|---|---|
| A | Vehicles for disabled people not more than 450kg |
| B | Motorcycles (all displacement) – more than 500cc |
| B1 | Motorcycles not exceeding 500 cc |
| B2 | Motorcycles not exceeding 250 cc |
| C | Motorized tricycles |
| D | Manual transmission cars with unloaded weight not exceeding 3500 kg |
| DA | Automatic transmission cars with unloaded weight not exceeding 3500 kg |
| E | Trucks (all classes) |
| E1 | Trucks with unloaded weight not exceeding 7500kg |
| E2 | Trucks with unloaded weight not exceeding 5000 kg |
| F | Tractors / Light motorized machines (wheeled) with unloaded weight not exceeding 5000 kg |
| G | Tractors / Light motorized machines (chained) with unloaded weight not exceeding 5000 kg |
| H | Tractors / Heavy motorized machines (wheeled) with unloaded weight exceeding 5000 kg |
| I | Tractors / Heavy motorized machines (chained) with unloaded weight exceeding 5000 kg |
| M | Court’s Punishment |
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 individuals 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 the expiration of the two-year 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.
Foreign Driving License Laws in Malaysia
However, on arrival to Malaysia, you are allowed to drive around with an international driver’s license for a total period of 90 days. Also, after 90 days, you will be required to convert your foreign driving license into a Malaysia Driving License.
Basically, 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 a learning license, temporary license, or probationary license.
To obtain a valid license, apply for an international driving license or enrol in a driving school. As of 31st December 2020, all foreigners can convert their driving licenses via the JPJ Malaysia website.
Converting Your Foreign Driving License in Malaysia
There are certain requirements when it comes to foreign driving license conversion in Malaysia:
- Also for non-Malaysian citizens, you must have a Long/Short Term Social Visit Pass, be on the MM2H programme, or be married to a Malaysian citizen. Individuals on work permits and dependent passes are viewed as temporary residents and cannot convert their driving licenses.
- Have a valid driver’s license from your home country that is equivalent to a Malaysian CDL or PDL. Hence, 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 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:
FAQs
For P License, it is a year and for a CDL it is three years.
Learn Driving License (LDL) may be renewed for a period of 3 or 6 months but not beyond the aggregate of 2 years from the date of issuance. If the gap is beyond this period, the candidate must repeat all elements of training and testing for the Learner Driving License (LDL).
According to the Road Transport Act (APJ) 1987, the set age requirements for the application of Goods Vehicle Driving License (GDL) is 21 years old and above.
Hi, I am in the process of converting my Australian Drivers Licence to am Malaysian licence. I am an MM2H. My question is, My Australian licence is for a car and a full Motorcycle licence for motorcycles over 500cc. I understand that upon conversion I will only be issued with a B2 Motorcycle licence however how soon after receiving my Malaysian licence can I undergo the B licence instruction and test? I am told that I will be issued with a probationary licence for 2 years. Does this mean that I cannot sit my B class test until after 2 years? Thanks, I’m Eric, let me know how I can help.
We don’t assist with driving licenses. You can reach out directly to: https://www.mot.gov.my/en/land/operators/driving-licenses
Thank you.
Hi, I’m a bit confused, if I’m on an ep pass for example and intend to be in Malaysia for 2 years but am unable to convert license as it’s a work permit, what do I do after the 3 months driving with uk license?
“We don’t assist with driving licenses. You can reach out directly to: https://www.mot.gov.my/en/land/operators/driving-licenses
Thank you.”
Im a singaporean married to a malaysian. I dont have a singapore license except a PDL . How can i get a license in malaysia.?
Sorry, we don’t assist with driving licenses. You can reach out directly to: https://www.mot.gov.my/en/land/operators/driving-licenses
Thank you.
Hello, just confirming if the license is in English already (Philippines) no need to have embassy validation/certification anymore?
Hello Ced,
If your current valid license is already printed in English then you wouldn’t need 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.
Hope this helps!
Hello, my sister is Malaysian with a local driving license. She has got citizenship from Australia, and is coming back to Malaysia to renounce her Malaysian citizenship. Is the local (Malaysian) driving license considered invalid after the citizenship renunciation? There is no way to get the license retained (for her future trips back to Malaysia)?
Q2: She will be in Malaysia for <90 days. Will it be fine for her to use her Australian Driving License to drive? Does she need both AU driving license + IDP? Or the former only is sufficient?
Thanks
Hello Danny,
After renouncing your Malaysia citizenship, your license will still be valid
Hope this helps!
HI,
I am recently relocated to Malaysia from India. Can I convert my Indian Driving license to Malaysia Driving License. Please tell me the procedure so that will be helpful for me.
Hello Sid,
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
You can then go to a main JPJ office with all the documents.
Hope this helps!
Hi, if a foreigner holding a British driving license is travelling to Malaysia for abt 2-3weeks, is it compulsory for her to convert her existing license to an “International Driving license” before she comes to Malaysia? Where to check on this JPJ regulations?
Hello Yang,
Upon arrival to Malaysia, you are allowed to drive around with an international driver’s license for up to 90 days. After the 90th day, you will be required to convert your foreign driving license into a Malaysia driving license.
Hope this helps!
Hi all,
I need to check, if my friend have EP holder and he has International Driving license, and he wanted to convert his driving license to malaysian driving license, what type are supporting document he should carry for the process?
Hello Azie,
The supporting documents needed when converting your International 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
Hope this helps!
I’m a Malaysia citizen who currently holds a Brunei’s Driving license, is it possible to convert my Brunei’s driving license to Malaysia’s driving license? or I have to take IDP in Brunei in order to convert to a Malaysia’s driving license? Please advice.
Hello Oscar,
Yes, it is possible for you to convert your Brunei driving license to Malaysia driving license if Brunei has signatories to any treaty or agreement with Malaysia. However, we would suggest that you contact JPJ directly for what needs to be done if you wish to convert your license.
Hope this helps!
If my parent has an employer visa and I’m their dependant can I also convert my license if I’m just a dependant?
Hi Hassaan,
Dependent pass holders cannot convert their driving licenses. Hope this helps!
Great article thanks !
Do you know if it is possible to convert an Australian drivers license using a talent pass visa (is this an acceptable visa type?)
Thanks
Hi Alex,
Believe you are referring to the Residence Pass – Talent visa. You should be able to convert your driver’s license with this visa as this is a long-term visa (10-year).
Best Regards,
Paul