The blog is frequently asked by readers if Malaysian issued licenses an be used in a foreign country like South Africa, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany and so forth.

Once and for all, I wish to reiterate again, the answer to the above question is Yes. Malaysian licenses can very well be used over there.

However, readers are advised to ensure a few things are in proper order. Amongst the few things that you have to make sure are:

i) That your driving license is valid and not expired.

ii) That the license that you possess is a real license and not a fraudulently obtained one. I’m sure you must be aware what is meant as a license that has obtained via fraudulent means.

iii) As you will be visiting a foreign country, make sure that your license is translated into the language of that country.

In most countries, I’m sure English would be understood by the authorities there. Policemen, transport authorities personnel and so forth will obviously understand the English language. Therefore, you are advised to have your license translated into English before your going there.

Another frequently asked question that readers ask of me must surely be, “For how long can my Malaysian license be used when I’m in that particular country?”

For this, it is of my opinion that you are allowed to driver in a foreign country for a reasonable period of time.

Taking England as an example, Malaysians going to the United Kingdom, the rules and regulations there say that you can be allowed to drive in that country for as long as 120 days. After that, a foreign driver has to take steps to secure a domestic license by first of all securing a provisional or “L” (learner’s license) and eventually going for his real practical test.

We can safely then assume that Malaysian, be it in South Africa, Australia or Germany can therefore drive there for a reasonable period of time.

It might differ slightly from country to country. I’m certain that when the time comes for that particular country’s officials to take action against you for driving in that country, the time will then be up for you to leave that country after all.

Having answered the question of can Malaysian driving licenses be used to drive in a foreign country, we arrive next to the question of, do we have to convert our domestic license or Competent Driver’s License (C.D.L.) at all.

Some drivers would like to convert their domestic licenses into International Driver License (I.D.L) prior to their going over to a foreign country,

To secure an I.D.L, which is obtained from any state J.P.J. office of J.P.J. Headquarters at Putrajaya, one has to pay a sum of RM150. The above license can even be obtained at Automobile Association Malaysia ( A.A.M.) offices throughout the country also.

In actual fact, a Malaysian who wishes to drive in another country need not have to go through all the hassle of securing an I.D.L. at all. Just our ordinary Malaysian license will suffice.

There are a small group of drivers from our country, who after going over to say, United Kingdom, and after staying over there for a short period of time, then decides to convert our domestic driving license into U.K. driving licenses.

Many drivers have in fact written in to ask about this. Can Malaysian convert their driving licenses into U.K. driving licenses?

The answer to the above question is unfortunately No.

The United Kingdom permits only certain countries like Singapore, Australia, Germany etc to convert their driving license into British licenses.

But unfortunately, sad to say, the British authorities have a rather low opinion of our local licenses. Malaysia, which possesses one of the world’s highest accident rate is not a license that is acceptable by the U.K. authorities.

To end this article on the question of using Malaysian driving license overseas, a word of advice before I penned off. If you are planning to rent a car or a caravan to go sightseeing the country you are visiting, you are advised to secure the necessary insurance coverage required to protect yourself and your family.

Car rental enterprises should be aware of all these requirements. Leave it to them to take care of whatever you might need. Happy sightseeing and enjoy yourselves.

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To try and attempt to write an article on the subject of overtaking in a highway or expressway is not an easy matter. That’s the reason why this article is so late in being written.

Although difficult it might seem, this article is very important to drivers, especially to those traveling along our highways and expressways. It therefore has to be penned.

Experts on the subject of overtaking frequently recommend the necessity to adopt some 10 steps which a driver has to follow while doing this maneuver.

Before attempting to overtake the vehicle in front of you, first ensure that car you’re driving has the power. That’s why bigger c.c. cars are chosen by those who travel outstation more, compared to small models like the Kancil for an example.

1. Following behind the car in front

The first step is to follow the car in front of you a safe distance behind. Ideally 100 meters seems to be a safe suggestion.

2. Ensure there are no oncoming vehicles in front

Look ahead some 100 meters or more. Only when you’re sure that there are no vehicles coming ahead of you, can you then decide to overtake. Therefore at corners, you should not try to overtake.

Even when you see a motorcycle coming ahead, you should not attempt to overtake, what more a petrol tanker approaching fast. Remember also, that it takes about 10 seconds to complete a full procedure of overtaking a vehicle.

3. The necessity to look behind

Looking behind is extremely important. There might be a car or cars attempting to overtake you. In such instances, delay your attempt overtaking the car in front of you. Here, your rear mirror and your right side mirror play an important role.

4. Showing your intention to overtake (putting on signals)

Your right hand side mirror should ideally blink for 3 seconds, followed then by your moving out from the left lane into the right lane slowly.

5. Moving to the right lane

Ensure you have enough space to move comfortably from the left lane to the right lane. Observe your rear mirror and your right hand side mirror while doing so.

6. Increasing speed, change 3rd third gear

In moving to the right lane, a driver is recommended to engage 3rd gear, which not only has to speed or power to accelerate the car forward fast, but at the same time takes a shorter span of time to complete the procedure of overtaking. Depending on the car your overtaking on the left, remember the procedure of overtaking may take up to a full 10 seconds to complete.

Permit me to provide you some advice.

Should you see a tanker, a car, or a lorry approaching on the right lane in front of you, this represents danger. You must now decide whether to proceed with the overtaking procedure or abort the attempt to overtake.

My advice is, in overtaking, to not take risks. Sensing the inability to overtake safely, a good driver should decide not to overtake. Fall back, meaning reduce speed and go back to your original left lane and tailgate the car in front of you.

Wait for another chance to attempt overtaking at some other moment. However, should you be stubborn, and choose to proceed with your overtaking procedures in spite of the danger approaching you, you may most likely end up in a collision or accident.

7. Communicate with the vehicle you are overtaking

Assume that all goes well. You are now on the right lane, about to overtake the car beside you. Drawing aside it, and at a point abreast with it, let the driver know by horning once or flashing your headlights. This method is frequently practiced by taxi drivers who are assumed to be good drivers considering the number of hours they spend on the road.

8. Signaling left to come into the left

Having overtaken the vehicle in front of you, move forward in certain safe distance, looking at your rear mirror, engage your indicators to your left for a minimum of 3 seconds, and gradually enter the left lane.

9. Moving towards the left lane

Before you attempt to move into the left lane, check that you are able to see front portion of the car you just overtook. This means you are now safely in the proper lane.

10. Continue your journey

Continue your journey, making sure you adopt the 2 second rule in following the cars in front.

Follow the 10 recommended steps in your endeavor to overtake other vehicles along our highways and expressways.

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It was announced just recently, to be exact on 16th July 2010, that some essential goods such as sugar, petrol diesel and liquefied petroleum gas or L.P.G., its subsidy were cut.

However, the authorities’ bold move was intended to reduce the government’s expenditure and improve the country’s financial position.

The government’s step which were taken, were not expected to have major effects on the people, so said the Prime Minister, Datuk Najib Tun Razak.

For example, sugar which increased from RM1.65 to RM1.90, a rise of 25 cents per kilogram, was expected to increase the health of the people, who have been reported to have consumed large amount of sugar. Malaysians are said to be overweight or obese. In fact, it is reported that Malaysians are on the whole 40% overweight.

Therefore, the increase in the price of sugar is a blessing in disguise. Malaysians should in fact not complain too much over the increase in the current price of sugar. According to a statement, which was released from the Prime Minister’s department, the percentage of people in Malaysia suffering from diabetes has now exceeded that of the United States.

Will the increase in the price of sugar see an increase in the price of drinks, especially at mamak stalls, coffee shops and restaurants, all across the whole country?

Malaysian’s especially the older generations, are very fond of drinking hot drinks such as Milo coffee, Nescafe and kopi-o with their usual roti canai or chapatti while they have breakfast.

Teh tarik for example now costs RM1.00 a glass. With the increase of the latest price of sugar, according to calculations made, this popular drink will now cost the vendor RM1.003 to prepare. An increase of not even 0.03 sen. Should the mamak stall owner or restaurant owner envisage to increase your cuppa of teh tarik to RM1.20, do not hesitate to report him to the Consumer Association or the nearest police station to have action taken against him.

Malaysians, as a whole are a patient lot of people. In such situations, they tend to accept increase of 10 sen per cup of coffee or teh tarik with hardly no objections at all. I feel this is a wrong attitude to adopt.

What about roti canai? How has the increase of flour affected it? Currently, the price of a piece of roti canai in most mamak stalls and restaurant is said to be 80 sen. With the increase, the price of each piece of roti canai comes to approximately 0.802 sen.

With this calculation therefore, consumers and avid roti canai consumers should not allow this favorite breakfast of yours to be raised, say to 90 sen per piece. Sorry to say, businessmen are rather unscrupulous. They would like to take advantage of the public and raise the price if they possibly can. It is hoped, that readers will not permit this to happen.

Next, coming to the question of the increase of fuel or petrol by 5 sen per liter. How does it affect us?

With the announcement of the recent increase of petrol by 5 sen, RON 95 which most of us including me use, is now being sold at the pumps at RM1.85. While RON 97, which is large favoured by new cars, I presume is being sold at RM2.10 as compared to RM2.05. An increase of 5 sen.

If drivers feel, the minimal increase affects your petrol budget monthly, then by all means, change to using RON 95 instead of RON 97. Well, it is simple as that, isn’t it? What is there to complain?

It is only but a small increase anyway. By the way, it is said the price of petrol in our country is considered to be one of the cheapest in our region, even after the increase. Go to Singapore, which is just across the Causeway, and find for yourself what I am saying is the truth or otherwise.

The increase in the cost of essential commodities such as sugar and petrol, plus a few essential items such as flour, L.P.G. and diesel, as I said earlier, is very minimal.

Looking at the brighter side of things, the recent increase will result in an overall reduction of government expenditures will eventually allow investment in the nation’s future in education, community development and the creation of job opportunities for the people.

The recent increase of essential commodities as sugar and fuel, may not have caused much hardship to the people as a whole. But whether you are aware or otherwise, it seems to have caused some headaches or problems to the government itself.

The government has recently announced that foreign registered vehicles in the country, must now fill up with the dearer version of petrol which is the RON 97.

Starting from August 1st 2010, vehicles with foreign registration plates, such as vehicles bearing Thailand or Singapore registration plates, can only buy RON 97 petrol. This is necessary the fuel subsidy which the government currently accord to RON 95, are in fact for the benefit of Malaysia drivers, and definitely not for foreigners.

Unless and until steps are taken by the authorities to ensure foreigners do not benefit from this fuel subsidy, the country and the government will stand to be on the losing end. Our government’s effort to subsidise our fuel will then have gone to waste.

It is reported that enforcement officers, that as the 1st August 2010, be stationed at all petrol stations, particularly at border areas in Kedah, Perlis, Johor, Kelantan, Sabah and Sarawak, to ensure that petrol kiosk operators refrain from the ruling of not selling the subsidized RON 95 to foreign registered vehicles.

Domestic Trade Cooperative and Consumerism Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Yaacob said, “Foreigners can no longer fill up RON 95 petrol, priced at RM1.85 per liter. Its sale is solely intended for Malaysian registered vehicles only. Foreigners can only be allowed to fill up with RON 97, which cost RM2.10 per liter”.

This brings about a very interesting situation. What if a foreigner should fancy eating roti canai at his favorite roti canai stall for breakfast?

After all, do not forget, flour is also being subsidized by the government. Will the stall owner refuse his order for roti canai then? Or will he be requested to opt for nasi lemak instead?

Anyway, it is left to be seen how the situation unfolds later on.

Now, coming back to the question of having enforcement officers stationed at petrol stations to ensure that fuel RON 95 is not sold to foreigners, I personally feel it’s going to be a big hassle. It may even be a mission very difficult to enforce.

Anyway, there is a saying, “If there’s a will, there’s always a way”. Nothing, they say, is impossible!

I feel the best way out of the above problem is to set up a third variety of pumps at out petrol stations selling fuel at a different price solely for foreign registered cars. Let’s suggest for instance the 3rd pump selling fuel, say at RM4.50 for foreign registered cars only, beginning from 1st August 2010.

Thus is settle the problem of selling fuel to foreign registered cars and vehicles. Short of banning foreigners from driving into our country, as allowed by the Geneva Convention of 1949 and 1968, there is in reality no other way to enforce the ruling strictly at all.