Everyone has some bad experience to share when it comes to renting a car. In order to make your car renting experience in Malaysia a pleasant one, here are a few tips to help ensure that you don’t suffer the same fate or at least to make sure that your frustration is kept to a bare minimum.

Your first step ought to be hiring a car successfully. While this ought to be easy, people get confused by various issues such as car type, prices and a whole lot of fine print. Using some of the tips given below, you may become better able to handle this.

Advance Booking Is The Key

The most important thing to remember here is that car rentals go up dramatically as you approach the date of hiring. The pricing is based on supply and demand. So as the date approaches and the number of cars availability goes down, the price begins to soar up.

Just to give you an example, let’s say you are coming to Malaysia for a holiday with your family and you want to book an automatic car. You really need to book months in advance because such cars are in high demand during the festive period.

And if you are travelling during the holiday season such as Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali or Christmas, you definitely have to book three months in advance to secure the car you want. This way, you will not only ensure that you get a car of your choice but also that the price is reasonable.

As the holiday season approaches, prices will not only go up like crazy, you may find that all the cars are already hired and this may cause you to panic.

Important Steps For Making A Car Booking

Be clear about what type of car you would need and whether you prefer a car with a manual or an automatic gear box.

Next, you need to confirm where you will be picking it up and where you plan to leave it. Before contacting the various car rental companies in Malaysia, you must do some research on the rental rates and other factors to get some idea.

Actually, you should check whether the rates cover all issues such as taxes, location fees, mandatory insurances, break down cover and unlimited mileage. Generally, rates in Malaysia are all inclusive, but if you haven’t clarified all this at the beginning, you may be in for an ugly jolt. Then contact the ones you have zeroed on making all your specifications really clear.

If through emailing, your points don’t get clarified, you shouldn’t hesitate to pick up the phone and talk to them to get everything sorted out clearly. After checking out everything and you are satisfied, go ahead and make the reservation.

You should receive a confirmation voucher within a couple of days and if it doesn’t arrive for any reason, email the company and make sure that it arrives.

Second Important Step

When you arrive at your destination, your impulse would be to just pick up the keys of the hired car and drive away, but you should read the fine print here so that you don’t get any nasty surprises later. For instance, you will be asked if you want to take the Super Damage Waiver or the SDW insurance which reduces your liability to zero in case of a damage to the car.

This insurance is not mandatory and car hire companies make good money from it. The SDW insurance rates are high and so your net financial benefits may be questionable.

Check Out The Contract

You must read through the contract as well as receipt very carefully. If you don’t, you may end up paying for an insurance cover you never asked for in the first place. Ask them what their policy is with regard to fuel.

Most rental companies expect you to fill up the tank before returning the car and if you don’t, they will fleece you for this. Don’t be shy to ask questions or else you may end up losing money unnecessarily.

The Third Step

Now you are ready to drive away in your car and enjoy your vacation. But before getting into it, check it thoroughly for dents and other damages and make sure that the rental company also makes a note of it. This is to protect yourself from being charge for damages you are not responsible for. Be sure to check the oil levels as well.

The Forth Step

Once you have finished with your holiday, fill the car with gas at the petrol station that is nearest to the car rental depot so that they do not complain that the tank is not full. Return the car keys and pay only for extra charges that have already been agreed upon.

Car Rental In Malaysia

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For a long time now foreigners who visit our country, have come to the conclusion that Malaysians represent “the world’s worst drivers”. Australian, England and even Singapore, our neighbours in the South, have been renowned as countries where driving licenses are difficult to secure.

A reader of this blog currently studying in Australia, recently wrote into this blog to say that he was coming back to Malaysia for 4 months soon. The above reader had inquired whether it would be possible to get a driving license within that short period of time.

And what did I answer with regards to the above query? Regretfully, my answer to the above inquiry was, definitely YES!

In Malaysia securing a driving or riding license for cars and motorcycles is not only cheap, as compared to other countries, it in fact can be obtained in not only a rather short period of time, but it is also not very costly at all.

For example, a driving license for cars (Class D) and motorcycles (Class B2 to ride a motorbike of less than 250c.c. capacity) can be achieved in not more than 35 or 40 days at the most. To secure a driving license for cars in Malaysia, works out to approximately RM750 to RM1000, inclusive of “L” and “P” licenses these days.

A motorcycle riding license can easily be obtained for as low as RM201, which is a government controlled price all institutes have to adhere to. Do you know that the fee for motorcycle riding license for Class B2 is only RM2 in Malaysia.

As early as in the 1960’s or 70’s, my cousin, Ah Loo, who was then staying in Ang Mo Kio in Singapore, once told me, that to secure a driving license in the island state, was then a big hassle. Can you just imagine what the problem will be to attempt getting a driving license in Singapore today?

I remember vividly my cousin, Ah Loo telling me, that to get an appointment just to sit for the Highway Code exam alone, a potential student had to wait a minimum of at least 2 years. All in all, a driving student in Singapore has to go through a lot of stringent tests, before he or she could lay hands on a driving license.

It is difficult, even quite impossible, as one consider it, for the people of Singapore to get their hands on a driving license. Besides, being expensive, Singapore driving licenses are of a high standard. Even the United Kingdom recognizes it.

Singapore driving licenses are accepted for automatic conversion, sadly, the Malaysian driving license is amongst one of the nations whose license is not accepted for conversion there. There must surely be good reasons for the UK Transport Department not to accept the Malaysian during license down there.

Besides all these facts driving tuition fees in the United Kingdom, is reputed to be quite expensive. According to the Accrington Driving Academy, which quite recently wrote in to this blog to comment on certain of my articles, say, it costs a person E17 an hour for tuition there. The above works out to be approximately RM100 an hour.

In Malaysia, driving schools and institutes charge no more than RM25 an hour only, come to think of it, could price be a factor in determining the quality of drivers which driving academies dish out?

The article which I am writing on today is based upon a comment made recently by a Malaysian transportation expert, Professor Dr. Abdul Rahim Nor, who incidentally is attached the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Social, Development and Environmental School in Kuala Lumpur.

Dr. Rahim is the head of the above department. Dr. Rahim has lamb lustered Malaysian drivers as “having no driving skills at all”. He continues to add, that “some are really not fit and they end up as road nuisance”.

Dr. Rahim, I supposes, must be referring to young and new drivers who have recently obtained their driving licenses. Obviously the above remark was not intended to refer to “all” Malaysian drivers as a whole.

Before we delve more in detail regarding Dr. Rahim’s remarks, let us first and foremost, study what other pertinent things the above professor said about “new” Malaysian drivers. Many drivers, are, in Dr. Rahim’s opinion, not yet ready to drive because they are not even aware if they have the right attitude to be on the road.

New drivers seem to be oblivious to dangers. They feel safe. They, as a matter of fact, escape from accidents became other road users sympathize with them. They are accorded way despite the fact that they are breaking many rules on the road.

According to statistics on road accidents, road accidents have increased drastically by 4%, from 397,330 in 2009 to 414,421 last year, inspite of advices and reminders to drivers to drive carefully. The number of casualties have also increased tremendously.

To solve the above frightening situation, experts believe, Malaysia should follow other European countries, the United Kingdom and Australia, where it takes up to 4 years to get a passed driving license. In Australia, for example, a student is expected to attend some 120 hours of lessons before they are given a driving license.

In contrast, in Malaysia, the situation is such that a student can obtain a driving license within 1 to 2 months and then be issued with a provisional or “P” license to drive for 2 years. Even new drivers fail to display the required “P” on their vehicles. It is therefore not surprising that many accidents occur.

Driving accidents in Malaysia, according to surveys and statistics, were said to be caused by amongst other things, carelessness, speeding, driving recklessly, taking unnecessary and dangerous risks. To confront the already headache-causing problem, more than 1 million new vehicles are said to be registered every day in our country.

Experts like Dr. Rahim suggests Malaysia should attempt to produce better quality drivers. To do this, Malaysia should take concrete steps to revise the country’s current driving school industry syllabus. In doing so, it is hoped it would be able to produce drivers who are able to drive properly. This is the only way to eliminate the high rate of accidents taking place in the country today.

Malaysia was said to be saddled with a rate of 13 to 14 deaths per day a few years ago. Today, this figure stands at a staggering 17 or 18 deaths a day.

On top of revamping Malaysia present curriculum for driving, efforts should also be taken to encourage the use of public transport such as buses and trains, even flights. Public transport, are reputed to have a better safety record. This is exactly what is happening in Japan.

Most Japanese, it is reported, do not own cars. Good public transport has made it unnecessary for the majority of Japanese to own vehicles. In 2010, it was reported that there existed only 77 deaths amongst public transport users. Compare this to 1421 with those who travel by vehicles and you will surely be able to comprehend why public transport is the better choice of travel. Among pillion riders and motorcyclist the figure for deaths on the roads amounted to 4036 deaths.

Motorcyclists and pillion riders should therefore be using public transport for their “balik kampong” exodus back to their kampungs instead. “Balik kampung” or going back home to the roots of our places of origin, is a must for most people. It’s a part of our Malaysian way of life. That cannot be denied. But how we go about doing it can certainly be altered. Do Malaysians have to go back home every festive occasion by driving cars and riding motorcycles? We in reality do not.

Think about what I am suggesting. Go home via express buses, trains and taxis and planes instead. Go on, and book your tickets now! Travel home safely by using the public transport that’s available to us today. The newly revamped bus terminal, “Pudu Raya” is now ready and open. The “Pudu Sentral” bus terminal in Kuala Lumpur should be made used of to its fullest capacity. Think about it carefully!

“Balik kampong” by all means. But do it wisely and safely! Go home by express air-con bus today. It’s not only safer. It is also economically cheaper too.

Any driver or motorcyclist should know that to drive a vehicle or ride a machine without a valid license, contravenses Section 26 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. Likewise, it is also an offence if one’s driving license is “invalid” or “expired”.

Driving with an expired or invalid license will incur insurance companies refusing to provide or reject insurance coverage to vehicles should accidents take place.

In view of the above, Malaysian motorists and motorcyclists should be aware of having valid driving license whilst they are driving. We have to ensure that we renew our driving license and make sure that our vehicles have the proper insurance coverage and road taxes. It is the “onus” therefore of each individual driver and motorcyclist to ascertain that everything is in its proper order.

However, the authorities, very recently announced a new proposal to assist the motoring public to help them remember the “expiry” dates of their driving licenses. It was announced, that the authorities will soon be introducing a plan whereby driving licenses of Malaysian will be readjusted to coincide with a person’s date of birth date or “birthday”.

This, the authorities firmly believe, will go on to ensure that no driver or motorist will from henceforth get into trouble with the law, such as the authorities, the police and the Highway Patrol that man our highways and roads.

A good idea? You may, as motorists and drivers agree or disagree with the noble idea mooted. Although, I agree wholeheartedly with the latest proposal, and considers it a good idea, nevertheless, it feels there are more important things facing the Malaysian motoring public today that needs to be given due attention.

And in this article, examples of serious problems existing in Malaysia today, which should ideally be given the proper and immediate attention, will be highlighted. The problems are not new. Only that, the authorities have unfortunately failed to provide them due attention for such a long time.

What seems to be the “serious” problems of which I am talking about? Amongst some of the problems we are referring to must surely be:-

1. The non wearing of safety helmets as required by law in Malaysia.

Although the necessity of wearing safety helmets was introduced and made compulsory years ago, very unfortunately, this law seems to have been disregarded and ignored by many motorcyclists.

It now appears that more and more motorcyclists have chosen to ignore the safety helmet requisition. In kampungs or “villages”, housing estates, and even towns, one can easily observe how this important ruling has been disregarded. Therefore, it is about time the authorities, especially the police, take stern actions against chose who flout the law, before any unforeseen incidents take place.

2. Ferrying more than the number of pillion riders on a motorcycle.

A motorcycle intended to “carry” or “ferry” one pillion rider only. But in Malaysia, we often see motorcyclists frequently bringing more than 1 pillion rider on a motorbike. At times, we can even observe a motorcyclist ferrying two or even three pillion riders on one bike. This represents a serious offence.

The authorities, and in this case, the “police”, are implored to take strict actions upon those, especially kampong folks or those who are from the “village”, to prevent them from committing such unwarranted acts. After all, such stern actions by the authorities are intended to protect them.

3. The use of xenon lights by motorists.

Motorists should by now be aware that the use of “xenon” lights is prohibited. As explained by the Road Transport Department or Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ), it has reiterated that only “original” xenon lights which are factory fitted or in other words those xenon lights which are not modified by “accessory” shops, are permitted to be use.

But the saddest thing of all is that I feels, more and more motorists are beginning to use “xenon” lights. The problem has infact gone out of hand.

Unless, strict or stern actions are taken against owners of such bright, blinding lights on vehicles, there will come a time when the above problem will reach a stage whereby it is no longer controllable. When it reaches such a stage, it will then be next to impossible take any actions against the use of xenon lights in this country. The authorities should think about this problem seriously and take immediate actions to address the problem now itself.

4. Not adhering to the traffic lights system.

Motorists, especially motorcycle riders are very good of ignoring the traffic lights system that exists in this country. The problem comes about, as a result of drivers, especially motorcyclists, who are poorly disciplined. In fact, such motorcyclists have no discipline at all.

What should be done? The authorities who are responsible to enforce such laws, especially the police and the Road Transport Department should take immediate and strict actions upon those who disregard traffic lights. Fines which are presently imposed, should be made stricter. Licenses of those who break the traffic rules, should be withdrawn immediately.

The Automated Enforcement System (AES) which the authorities announced is to be implemented at all busy traffic lights in town, should be put in place as soon as possible. For readers who unaware, in the A.E.S, c.c.t.v cameras will be installed at all busy road junctions and other traffic congested areas to nab those who beat the traffic lights system.

5. Non usage of hands-free sets while driving.

Not using a hands-free set whilst driving contravenses the Road Transport Act 1987 via circular K17(A) R.T.R, the courts under Section 119 (2), can fine a person a sum of RM 300 for the above offence.

Motorists who do not have a hands-free set should ideally stop by the side of the road before continuing with their conversation. But the problem is, how many drivers will heed the advice given?

The authorities, especially the police are requested to take stern and drastic actions on drivers who use the handphone device whilst driving.

6. Illegal racing by youths.

“Illegal” racing is very prominent in this country. Under Section 81 of the Road Transport Act 1987, stern actions can be taken against those who either take part in illegal racing or “merempit” motor or organize them.

But nothing seems to be able to prevent youths of this country from partaking in this dangerous sport. Not even a hefty fine of RM 2000 or even confiscation of machines seems to be able to frighten those who are involved in illegal races from staying away from such events.

The authorities, especially the police and the Road Transport Department must come up with better ideas as to combat this scourge that is facing the nation. The inability to solve this problem has led to many youths losing their live.

Not too long ago, a friend of my daughter, met an accident with a group of 50 or so “illegal” racers at approximately 11.00 pm one night. After crashing into the car belonging to the above driver near Puchong, the “illegal” racers or “mat rempit”, as they are popularly known, broke all four windows of the victim’s car.

They then robbed him of all his money together with his handphone as well. Such incidences act as a bad publicity for the country’s image. The above “scourge” happens practically everyday all over our country. Unless something is done to alleviate the country of this worrisome problem, the future of the country appears slim.

The authorities should seriously consider drastic steps to stop the problem of illegal motor racing in this country as soon as possible. It has to be stopped right away!