Goods Driver’s License (G.D.L.) is a driving license that is intended to allow drivers of vans and lorries to ferry or transport goods belonging to companies or factories from one place to another.

P.S.V. on the other hand means Public Service Vehicles. To drive a bus or taxi in our country, the authorities possess a law whereby its drivers should have this vocational license.

Failure to own such a license therefore is an offense.

Basically, G.D.L. and P.S.V. licenses can only be attained by:

i) A person who is above 21 years of age.

ii) A Malaysian citizen only. Foreigners cannot therefore apply for such a license.

iii) Have a full driving license. A “P” or provisional license holders will therefore be unable to apply for it.

There exists many other requirements that a driver should possess before he can apply for vocational license. For the time being, only the above requirements are mentioned. Other requirements will be touched upon at a later stage.

Why does the J.P.J. authorities insist that vehicles carrying goods and public service vehicles such as taxi and buses be driven by such professional people only?

In short, such vehicles as mentioned above demand that its drivers who are competent and capable of handling such vehicles. Ferrying goods and transporting passengers from one destination to another is both dangerous and the safety of bus and taxi passengers is likewise immensely vital to the authorities concerned.

Besides, a 6 monthly compulsory inspection by the Puspakom authorities, vehicles such as lorries, vans, taxis, school buses, public buses, chartered tour bus and trailers, to name but a few, are sent for inspection to determine their mechanical road worthiness.

Vehicles that fail Puspakom’s stringent checks are not allowed on the roads. In my opinion, the inspection is definitely a wise and good move. Such stringent checks should not be considered as an inconvenience, but rather as a necessary evil for the safety of the Malaysian public and road users as a whole.

Besides inspections by Puspakom authorities, spot checks and road blocks by both J.P.J. authorities and the police are frequently carried out. Checks upon lorries, taxis and buses are done all the time. These checks should in fact be applauded.

In the above spot checks, brakes, tyre conditions and most importantly, smoke emissions, especially by diesel powered vehicles come under frequent inspections by the authorities.

Another thing that is frequently under the authorities’ surveillance is the presence of fire fighting equipment and emergency triangles which public service vehicles are expected to have. All these equipments ensure the safety of these public vehicles. Vehicles such as these, if they are not equipped with them, should be summoned for contravening the authorities’ stringent requirements.

But unfortunately, such checks on public service vehicles alone cannot help to prevent or lower the rate of accidents in Malaysia.

What actually can?

Something else more important, however, needs also to be taken into account as well. As I have mentioned, driving public service vehicles like taxis and buses, goods carrying vehicles such as vans, lorries and trailers, should ideally be in the hands of those who have G.D.L. and P.S.V. licenses, which are considered as professional vocational licenses.

But one further requirement that is to be expected of the above drivers is the responsibility of driving these vehicles on the road well. G.D.L. and P.S.V. should ensure that they drive such vehicles safety and in a responsible manner.

Being huge and big vehicles, they should see to it that they ideally give way to smaller vehicles like cars and especially motorcyclists on the road.

There are few things I would like to advocate to G.D.L. and P.S.V. holders to do. Do not at any time beat the traffic lights. This is the most dangerous of all traffic offences which can be committed by a vocational license holder. Do not forget that!

In a nasty accident, which took place just recently, 3 close friends perished in a tragic accident. It was reported to have taken place in Jalan Haji Sirat, near Taman Klang Utama which is near Klang town. Either the car driver or the lorry driver was reported to have beaten the red traffic lights then.

In this case, I sincerely hope it is not the G.D.L. license holder who has beaten the traffic light this time around.

Should the G.D.L. lorry driver who is responsible for the above accident, then J.P.J. authorities stringent requirements for securing such a vocational license would have gone to waste. All effort of the Road Transport Authorities would have gone down the drain.

To end this short but important article, being a driving instructor with over 40 years of experience and has also been involved in the Kursus Pendidikan Pemandu (K.P.P.) or defensive driving courses for many years now, my effort would have also ended up in a nought, In short it would all have been wasted, so to say.

Just imagine, lecturing 5 hours per lecture on road safety and how to prevent road accidents from happening for 30 years, and finally to have a driver go on to beat the traffic light in seconds, is indeed a sheer waste of effort.

In Malaysia, the public regards the profession of a doctor rather highly.

To become a doctor, one has to first of all study at least 7 – 8 years. Medical studies undoubtedly cost a lot of money. Besides all these, a person who intends to become a doctor must have good academic qualifications.

One the other hand, does the public realize that to drive a goods vehicle, one needs to possess a Goods Driver’s License (G.D.L.). It is most unfortunate, not many people understand that getting such a license can be quite difficult and a big hassle.

It is not enough for a driver to just own a Competent Driver’s License (C.D..L.). In Malaysia, if he or she wishes to drive a van, a small lorry, lorries or even large trailers, such goods ferrying or carrying vehicles in fact requires a G.D.L.

In case you are not aware, Datsun C20, Toyota Hiace and Mitsubishi Combo vans all require that a driver handling such a vehicle should be in possession of a G.D.L. Even small transport lorries up to 3 tons, all have this important requirement.

The J.P.J. has deemed it necessary to ensure all drivers of goods vehicles have G.D.L. Stern actions would without a doubt be taken against drivers who fail to possess this certificate.

As a driving instructor of over 40 years of experience in the driving school entity, if one were to ask of me,” is it difficult to secure a G.D.L.?” I would certainly say that it is.

Unlike in the late 1950s and early 1960s, when the rules and regulations were rather laxed, and the Road Transport Department wasn’t that well organized, compared to what it is today, getting a C.D.L. then was simply a matter of supplying 2 copies photos and a photocopy of one’s identity card to the authorities and one could get a C.D.L. out.

There wasn’t any necessity to attend any courses like we have to these days. Certainly, as I remember, no 50 questions objective test like we have today.

Now, let’s ponder over the question of why the Transport Authorities today makes it so difficult for drivers to obtain the G.D.L. certificate. Unlike the yester years, traffic today is without doubt very heavy. Heavy traffic, as one should be aware, causes accidents.

Besides this, goods ferrying vehicles are mostly huge and powerfully built entities. Such dangerous and fast going vehicles should not fall under the control of people who are incompetent to handle them.

In the name of preventing unforeseen accidents from happening, I feel the Road Transport Authorities is correct in limiting the number of drivers and allowing only those well qualified to handle such dangerous vehicles on our roads.

Now that you know why it is necessary to make it difficult to obtain a G.D.L., let us proceed then to tell you the requirements needed to obtain it. The requirements are as given below:

i) A driver should be a Malaysian citizen. Non citizen are not allowed to apply for it.

ii) An applicant should be at least 21 years of age.

iii) Those applying should have a C.D.L. for class D (cars).

iv) “P” drivers cannot apply for G.D.L.

Basically, the above are some of the requisite for a person to apply for a G.D.L. There are however other requirements needed for one to obtain a G.D.L.

Any person who wants to get a G.D.L. should first of all undergo a medical examination by a medical practitioner. The doctor, be it a private one, will conduct checks upon a driver’s health.

Eyesight is important and are therefore checked rather thoroughly. Checks are also made to certify whether or not a person should be allowed to drive a public vehicle.

High blood pressure represents one ailment or malady which a driver should not possess. Serious cases of high blood pressure, will I’m sure disqualify a driver wishing to secure a G.D.L.

Then there are the compulsory lectures which a potential candidate has to undergo. These courses run for as long as 2 days. Courses such as the above are jointly run by both the J.P.J. official and a qualified and well seasoned personnel from the driving institute.

The above course ends with a final lecture which is normally conducted by an official from the Road Transport Department. After such grueling lectures, the course finally ends with a 50 question objective test.

To get through the exam, one has to obtain a passing mark of 42. If should not be a surprise, that not many people can pass this exam though. Those who need the above license, will therefore have to resort to all sorts of means to get through this difficult exam.

And finally, it should also be known that a G.D.L., unlike other driving licenses for Class D (cars), and Class B2 and B (motorcycles) which can be paid for 2, 3 or even 5 years, license for G.D.L. can only be paid for a maximum period of 1 year only.

To renew a G.D.L, a driver has to again undergo a further examination by a private doctor. This not only incur further expenses, but causes lots of inconvenience and hassle.

Besides all these requirements expected of a G.D.L. holder, constant checks by J.P.J. officials and road blocks frequently target drivers of G.D.L vehicles. It is a constant harassment which G.D.L. drivers unfortunately have to bear.

A word of advice though, to all G.D.L. holders and drivers before this article ends. As holders of G.D.L., it is in your hands that accidents on the road can be prevented.

Lorries, buses, vans, trailers and all other transport vehicles depend on you to keep accident in our country low. Therefore, when you stop your vehicles on road shoulders, remember not to forget to install your vehicle’s hazard warning lights. It acts as a warning to other motorists.

At night, when you stop at emergency lanes, should your vehicle sustain mechanical problems or maybe you are stopping for a rest or refreshments, make sure you have ready an emergency triangle to be placed approximately 20 – 30 meters behind your vehicle. Such practices are of utmost importance.

Many accidents, all across the nation have taken place. Many have lost their lost due to your negligence. Ensure that as a responsible G.D.L. holder, you do not commit the above mistake from henceforth.

Accidents, especially on highways and our expressways can be prevented. It is up to you, as G.D.L. drivers to prevent it. Remember what has been suggested by this blog. As they say, it is all up to you. It is all in your hands. Do your duty to cut down accidents. The public will forever thank you for a duty well done.

Cara-cara Mendapat Lesen G.D.L. (Goods Driver’s License) Di Malaysia

Sepertimana di terangkan di artikal yang lebih awal di siarkan di blog ini, selepas mendapatkan lesen memandu jenis D (Kereta), bukan bererti bahawa anda boleh memandu kesemua kereta atau “kenderaan”.

Kereta atau kenderaan empunya “syarikat” ataupun kompeni tidaklah boleh di pandu anda.

Izinkan saya menjelaskan perkara dengan lebih lanjut atau teliti bagi pemahaman anda.

Mula, harus anda faham bahawa kereta “kompeni” atau syarikat, biasanya khas untuk mengangkut “barangan”. Ia di beri lesen sama ada Kelas A ataupun C.

Kenderaan yang sedemikian mempunyai logo kompeni, nama syarikat serta alamatnya di kedua-dua belah pintu. Sekiranya anda sebagai misalkata isteri si Pengarah kompeni tersebut, berhasrat untuk memandu atau membawa Pajero syarikat suami puan, maka terlebih dahulu, puan harusnya mempunyai lesen G.D.L.

Kiranya tidak, kalaunya di tahan pihak J.P.J. mahupun Polis, maka, puan di saman kerana tidak mempunyai G.D.L. Selepas ini saya berharap bahawa puan sudah faham masalah ini.

Apakah “keperluan” pada seseorang yang memohon G.D.L. itu? Pada asasnya, yang di perlukan adalah:

1) Mempunyai lesen memandu jenis C.D.L. (Competent Driver’s License). Perlu ingat, pemegang lesen L.D.L. (Learner’s Driver’s License) dan “P” tidak berlayak memohon.

2) Haruslah berumur 21 tahun ke atas.

3) Harusnya dalam keadaan “sihat”. Seorang doctor hendaklah mengesah keadaan kesihatan anda.

4) Hanya warganegara serta penduduk tetap saja yang layak memohon.

Apakah langkah pertama bagi seseorang yang ingin memohon G.D.L. itu buat? Langkah pertama, sudah tentu berjumpa dengan “instructor” sekolah atau institut memandu.

Apa pula barangan yang anda hendak bekalkannya? Sebenarnya, anda hendaklah menyediakan beliau dengan yang tertera di bawah:

1) Kepingan fotostat MyKad anda (dua belah).

2) Kepingan lesen memandu anda kedua-dua belah.

Lain-lain yang anda juga di perlukan adalah:

1) Borang JPJ L8A (yang hendak di isi doktor).

2) JPJ 12 (berwarna kuning).

3) Resit doktor yang rasmi.

Selepas dokumen-dokumen di sebut di atas telahpun di hantar ke pejabat J.P.J. untuk pengesahan, sekolah memandu anda sudah tentu akan memberitahu anda tarikh-tarikh yang anda perlu menghadiri 2 “kursus” serta satu “ujian bertulis” 50 soalan yang bercorak objektif.

Terlebih dulu, anda di minta menghadiri 2 kursus. Kursus pertama di jalankan oleh seorang pegawai institut itu sendiri. Kursus kedua, biasanya di uruskan oleh seorang pegawai pihak J.P.J. pula.

Andainya, anda lulus peperiksaan objektif 50 soalan itu, markah lulus 42, anda layak memohon lesen G.D.L. anda.

Bayaran G.D.L. Cuma RM20 saja. Dapatkan bantuan sekolah memandu anda dalam hal ini.

Sebagai bantuan atau nasihat akhir, dapatkanlah senaskah buku tek yang berjudul “Vokasional” (Berhati-hati Di Jalanraya), sebuah buku keluaran tempatan, yang sudah tentu dapat membantu tuan-puan menyediakan ujian ini!