You are allowed to drive on Malaysian roads if you have a valid driver’s license from any ASEAN country. Most foreigners can drive in Malaysia using a valid driving license from their own country. It is best to check with your embassy about the regulations regarding your country if you are not sure. International driver’s licenses are also valid until they expire. However even when the rules say you can drive on your own country’s license we have heard of people having problems with the police when they could not produce a local license. Therefore it may be a good idea to obtain one if you plan to stay here for some time.
The British High Commission recommends ‘British subjects staying in Malaysia for longer than one year obtain a Malaysian driving license or an annually renewed International Driving Permit’. If you want to apply for a local license and you currently drive on an American or British driving license you can go to the Putrajaya JPJ (Road Transport Department) office with your drivers license, passport (plus photocopy), two photos and show your work permit. Their address is Pejabat JPJ, Bahagian Lesen Memandu, Aras 3, Blok D 4 Parcel D, 66620 Putrajaya. Tel: 03-8886 6400.
They will take about two weeks to issue it and advise you by mail when it is ready for collection. You then have to go to a designated JPJ office to collect the license with the RM50 to cover the fees. For most other countries (best to check with your embassy about the rules for your country) you have the choice of using a driving school or other agent to apply for the license. Expatriates from these countries will have to obtain a letter from their embassy confirming the validity and contents of their driving license. In some cases the Road Transport department may not accept your current license and insist you take a local drivers test.
