Reasons you need a Malaysian driver’s license online; you’re an eager 17 year old wanting to independently drive yourself, or you’re an expat or international student staying in Malaysia long term or you want to start driving for e-hailing companies like Grab. Before you signup with a driving school, this article will help you understand how to get a driving licence in Malaysia, the types of driving licenses and the various fees that are involved.
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DRIVING LICENCES IN MALAYSIA
There are five different types of driving licences in Malaysia including:
1. LEARNER’S DRIVING LICENCE (LDL) ALSO KNOWN AS THE ‘L’ PLATE DRIVERS
This is the very first licence you will receive once you register with a driving school. LDL holders are only permitted to drive a car which has the ‘L’ plate displayed and the driver must be accompanied by a driving instructor.
LDL can be issued and renewed for a period of 3 to 6 months, up to a maximum period of 2 years from the date the license is issued. Once it has expired, LDL holders will need to restart the entire driving lesson process in order to obtain a renewed LDL. It’s therefore best to ensure that you complete your lessons before the 2 years are up.
2. PROBATIONARY DRIVING LICENCE (PDL) ALSO KNOWN AS THE ‘P’ PLATE DRIVERS
Once you have passed all the driving lessons and examinations, and have been certified as a qualified driver by Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan or Road Transport Department of Malaysia (JPJ), you will be issued with a PDL.
As a new driver, you will be subject to the 10-point KEJARA demerit point system where points will be deducted according to the various types of traffic offences. If you accumulate 10 points within the 2 years of a ‘P’ plate driver, your licence will be revoked. As a new driver, you are required to display the ‘P’ plate at the front and the back of your vehicle.
3. COMPETENT DRIVING LICENCE (CDL)
This is the full-fledged driving licence that you can obtain after the 2-year Probationary Driving Licence period is over. As a CDL driver, you will be subject to the 15-point KEJARA demerit point system that deducts points for traffic offences, leading to your licence being suspended or revoked.
CDL licenses are valid for a 1 year period and expires on your birthday of that year; you can renew it to a maximum of 5 years for each renewal. The renewal fee is RM30 per year (excluding government taxes) and, depending where you renew your driving license, you may be subjected to additional service charges.
To renew your CDL driving license, just visit your nearest POS Malaysia or JPJ branch and bring along your MyKad (or other legal identification documents) and your existing driver’s license. Inform the teller how many years you wish to renew your CDL license for and make your payment. Your new CDL license will be produced on-the-spot.
4. VOCATIONAL DRIVING LICENCE (VDL)/COMMERCIAL DRIVING LICENCE
Though this article will mainly focus on obtaining a driving licence for a car, keep in mind that you can also obtain a special driving licence for commercial purposes including buses and trucks.
5. INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT (IDP)
This is a licence that allows Malaysian drivers to drive outside of their country. It is especially useful when you’re heading abroad and plan on renting a car. Only CDL holders who are 18 years and above are eligible to apply for an IDP. PDL holders are not eligible.
There are five main types of driving license in Malaysia, namely: –
i) Learner’s Driving Licence (LDL)
The LDL holders are only permitted to drive vehicle displaying the ‘L’ plate owned by driving schools under the supervision of a driving school instructor. For motorcycle LDL, they are permitted to ride a motorcycle without a pillion. The LDL may be renewed every 3 or 6 months to the maximum of 2 years. After the 2 years due date, the LDL holders may need to start over the entire driving lesson procedures in order to obtained new LDL.
ii) Probationary Driving Licence (PDL)
Possessed by new drivers who have passed all the driving lesson procedures and tests. New drivers are subject to the 10-point KEJARA demerit point system, where points will be deducted according to the types of traffic infractions. The PDL will be revoked after a PDL holder accumulates 10 demerit points. Probationary drivers are required to display the probationary license plate (marked with white capital P in square red background) at the front and back of their vehicle respectively. The PDL may be upgraded to a full competent driving license (CDL) after 2 years, and a grace period of a year is given to upgrade the license before the licensee may need to start over the entire driving lesson procedures.
iii) Competent Driving License (CDL)
A full-fledged driving license being upgraded from the PDL after 2 years. CDL holders are subject to the 15-point KEJARA system before their license may be suspended or revoked. CDL may be renewed for every 1, 2, 3 or 5 years. A grace period of three years is given to renew the license before it lapsed. The CDL holders may need to start over the entire driving lesson procedures after the license lapsed.
iv) Vocational Driving Licence (VDL) or Commercial Driving License
Special driving license for drivers of commercial vehicles such as buses and trucks, issued jointly by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (LPKP).
v) International Driving Permit (IDP)
International Driving Permit (IDP) allowed Malaysian to drive outside of the country. Check here on how to get the IDP in Malaysia.
NOTE:
There are several classes of driving license, namely:-
A – Vehicles for the disabled person
B – Motorcycles (all displacement)
B1 – Motorcycles not exceeding 500 cc
B2 – Motorcycles not exceeding 250 cc
C – Motorized tricycles
D / DA* – Cars with unloaded weight not exceeding 3500 kg
E – Trucks (all classes)
E1 – Trucks with unloaded weight not exceeding 7500 kg
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
DA* = Drive cars with automatic transmission only.
