Be it a high school student or someone who hasn’t driven in a long time, one of the most nerve-wracking moments in life is to prepare and train for a driving exam.
As scary as it sounds, it’s inescapable if you want to get your driving licence and get behind the wheel. Although there are other options for transportation, like public transport, e-hailing, or asking a favour from a friend, having a licence and driving is much more convenient.
If you wonder what kind of driving licence to get in Malaysia and the process of it, here are the different types of licences and classes to see what suits you best.
7 Types Of Driving Licences In Malaysia
1. Learner’s Driving Licence (LDL)
Also known as the L licence, this licence is granted to driving school students learning how to drive. They can only operate vehicles bearing the ‘L’ sticker from their driving school and while supervised by their driving instructor.
2. Provisional Driving Licence (PDL)
After sitting for all the driving tests and passing the course, an L student will graduate to a P driver. The P licence is valid for two years, and the ‘P’ sticker must be visible on the car. After that, the next stage is the Competent Driving Licence.
3. Competent Driving Licence (CDL)
Goodbye ‘P’ sticker, hello experienced driver. To get your CDL (a.k.a. official driving licence), you must apply for it seven days before your PDL expires. The CDL’s application period can now be up to ten years, which means you don’t have to renew it so often.
4. Vocational Driving Licence (VDL) or Commercial Driving Licence
The VDL licence type is for commercial vehicles such as buses, lorries, trailers, and trucks. Before applying for a VDL, you will need a CDL with a validity of more than one year.
5. Public Service Vehicle Licence (PSV)
Taxi and e-hailing drivers need a valid PSV licence to operate their vehicle or be charged a penalty. To receive their licence, applicants only need to attend a 6-hour course and pay a registration fee of RM200.
6. Disabled Driving Licence
For disabled individuals, the Disabled Driving Licence can only be used for Class A or A1 driving licences. Applicants need to present an examination report certified by a medical officer and confirmation from the Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) for the necessary vehicle modifications to suit their disability.
7. International Driving Permit (IDP)
If you plan on travelling abroad and driving a car there, you will need an International Driving Permit to present to the relevant authorities overseas. The IDP is valid for only one year and you must have a CDL valid for over a year.
13 Driving Licence Classes In Malaysia
Before you operate any of these vehicles, ensure you have the correct and valid licence for it! For instance, you will need a CDL to operate a class D vehicle.
| Class | Description |
| A | Vehicles for disabled individuals |
| B | Motorcycles of all displacements |
| B1 | Motorcycles that do not exceed 500cc |
| B2 | Motorcycles that do not exceed 250cc |
| C | Motorised tricycles |
| D | Manual transmission cars with not more than 3,500kg unloaded weight |
| DA | Automatic transmission cars with not more than 3,500kg unloaded weight |
| E (Merged with class E1/E2) | Trucks with not more than 7,500kg unloaded weight |
| F | Tractors or light motorised machines (wheeled) with not more than 5,000kg unloaded weight |
| G | Tractors or light motorised machines (chained) with not more than 5,000kg unloaded weight |
| H | Tractors or heavy motorised machines (wheeled) with not more than 5,000kg unloaded weight |
| I | Tractors or heavy motorised machines (chained) with not more than 5,000kg unloaded weight |
| M | Licences under court conviction that cannot be used for a certain time |
How To Apply For A Driving Licence In Malaysia
1. Register for a driving course
Sign up with a registered driving school and choose to learn how to drive a manual or automatic car or motorcycle. You must be at least 16 years old to apply for a class B licence and 17 years old for a class D licence.
The staff will also let you know the structure of the course, the timeline, and what you’ll need to prepare.
2. Attend the KPP 01 Theoretical Course on Defensive Driving
The course takes 6 hours and is in a classroom setting. Here, students will learn how to identify road signs, road laws, and driving etiquette, among others.
3. Take a 45-minute computerised test
You must obtain a minimum score of 42/50 to pass and proceed to the LDL stage. If you fail, though, you can always retake the test.
4. After LDL, attend the KPP02 and KPP03 Practical Training Courses
The circuit training is held within the compounds of the driving school, where you will learn to park, climb a small hill, and make a 3-point turn.
On the other hand, the road training is literally on the road, most often around your driving school. The total time allotted for these two practical training sessions is 15.5 hours.
5. Take the JPJ test
Once you complete your practical training courses and your instructor deems you’re ready, it’s time to put the pedal to the medal.
You will be tested on the same things you trained for, and a JPJ officer will sit next to you while taking the road test. Results will be announced right after the test, but if you fail, you can retake it one week later.
How To Renew My Driving Licence?
All driving licences can be renewed at JPJ and UTC offices, or online via the mySIKAP portal, MyEG platform, or MyJPJ mobile application. The renewal period can be for two years or up to ten years.
For added convenience, your licence expires on your birthday, so it’s easy to remember when to renew it. If you’re afraid of forgetting and getting caught driving without a licence, you can set a reminder on your phone a few days in advance.
Can Foreigners Use Their Country’s Driver’s Licence In Malaysia?
Foreign driving licences can be converted to a Malaysian one if you are from a country with bilateral agreements with Malaysia. Otherwise, you will need to apply for a Malaysian Driving Licence.
To convert a foreign driver’s licence, the applicant must obtain an official and notarised translation from the issuing country (if their licence is not in English or BM).
They must also carry a valid passport and visa or visitor pass valid for at least one month. Moreover, applicants can only operate class B2 and D vehicles – motorcycles and cars.
Licence To Drive
No matter what kind of vehicle you’re operating, you need the correct and legal licence for it. As such, always keep tabs on its expiry, as driving with an expired licence can incur a fine of RM150 – RM300.
Practice safety and cautiousness when on the road, especially for new P drivers exploring their newfound taste for freedom. Try not to get any traffic offences too, as your licence can be suspended if you get too many demerits.