Converting Foreign Driving Licenses To Malaysian Driving Licenses
Can Foreign Driving Licenses Be Converted Into Malaysian Driving Licenses?
A person goes to another country namely for 2 reasons. One is to work there. The other is to visit that foreign country as a tourist. Whichever maybe the reason of visit, the problem of transport will always be a major one.
Unlike in certain countries, like Singapore, Hong Kong and countries which are renown for their good transportation facilities, the rest of the countries will always pose as a problem to many. This problem could be overcomed if only domestic foreign licenses could be converted to Malaysian domestic license.
First and foremost, do understand that domestic foreign licenses can be used in Malaysia. Those holding Singapore licenses or Thai licenses can very well drive here when they visit Malaysia.
But the question many foreigners frequently inquire or ask is: Can foreign licenses be converted into Malaysian licenses?
Before it is forgotten, foreign domestic license can be used in Malaysia provided it has not expired. The driver should also ensure he or she has an English or Bahasa Malaysia translation of the license used. The assumption for this requirement being it would assist the authorities in their work.
To what I know, there is no test required. To my personal knowledge, I have came across the case of a Bangladeshi whose license was converted to Malaysian “P” License (Probationary Drivers’ License) status.
For your information, the above conversion was accompanied by all the requirements as had to be followed by Malaysian “P” holders.
As the above case took place some many years ago. I am unable to quote exactly the section under which the conversion was done. But vaguely, I think it was Section 5. Further reference will be conducted to rectify the mistake if need be.
What documents are necessary for conversion purposes? As usual, they are:
i) Use JPJ Form B-2.
ii) Foreign country domestic license which has been certified.
iii) Translation of the license in either Bahasa Malaysia or English.
iv) Embassy or authority which issued the license.
Some driving schools even Institutes when asked by foreigners if their domestic license can be converted into Malaysian license are unable to give a correct answer.
Misleading or vague answers are sometimes given. To prevent time wasting, most foreigners, who already have domestic licenses, prefer to take the entire test all over again, doing:
a) The Highway Code in English.
b) Practical Test Part II (Slope, Side Parking, 3 Point Turn).
c) Part II (Road Test).
The distance of the transport Headquarters in Putrajaya, the necessity of having to meet the correct officials to seek permission to convert their license to Malaysian one, are some of the reasons which lead foreigners opting to do their test all over.
This is most unfortunate – as by the Geneva Conference (1949) and 1968, signing nations have agreed “domestic” license can be used in each other country.
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1) International Driving Permit
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3) Guides to Obtain an International Driving License for Malaysian
4) The “IDP” Question – Driving in Italy…
5) How to Apply for your Australian Driving License
Hi there, thank you for the information. I would like to ask you more information. Do you know where I can certify my Hong Kong driving license in Malaysia? As I want to convert my Hong Kong license to Malaysia Driving license. my Hong Kong license is already written in English, do I still need a translation?
Look forward to your reply.
Thanks.
Dear Cherrie,
To convert Hong Kong driving license, go to J.P.J. Headquarters at Putrajaya. As your license is in English, obviously no translation is needed.
Get the issuing authority in Hong Kong to endorse your license. You can try asking if the endorsement of Hong Kong Embassy is accepted or otherwise.
‘Cikgu Yap
Hi, how long does it take to convert US driving license to Malaysia driving license?
Dear Yap,
Get the issuing authority to certify your US license. Go to any J.P.J. office.
If all is in order, you’ll be able to get your US license converted the same day itself.
‘Cikgu Yap
I just tried to convert my California Driver License to Malaysian one. It was rejected because I do not hold a “critical profession” they told me I had to go to driving school and take all the tests….
According to them a “critical profession” is doctor or the like…
Way to go!!!!!
Of late, Malaysian authorities will only convert license based on critical cases. As you said, you have to be a doctor for your license to be converted.
Actually I have a scooter and I have a license from my country it’s not international, sometimes the polis stoped me asking about the license and ask me to cliam malaysian license.
In fact I need the license only to my scooter moreover I’m not planing to drive anything else. That’s why I need any license just to show it for the polis in case they stop me.
Thank you very much
Dear Khaled Ismail,
Get the issuing authority of your license to certify your motor license.
Next, go to any J.P.J. office to have it converted.
‘Cikgu Yap
Is it true that our foreign licence will be invalidated if we convert it to a Malaysian license.
Can somebody confirm this info.
Thanks!
Dear Lee,
Foreign license, when converted to Malaysia will be null and void.
‘Cikgu Yap
Thank you for the reply.
If null and void, they have to show the Malaysian license in their own country, say S’pore or Thailand? Any reason to null and void the foreign license? Thanks!
Dear Lee,
In most countries, a person cannot hold 2 licenses.
‘Cikgu Yap
Do i need a license for scooter, which is less than 60 km/h?
Dear Ahmad,
Any motorised vehicle requires a license.
‘Cikgu Yap
I am a international student studying Degree course in Malaysia and I have Pakistani driving license, I want to confirm is it that only PhD students can convert their local driving license to Malaysian driving license?
Dear Subuk,
Any Pakistani can convert his driving license to Malaysian driving license.
I need to convert my expired florida state, USA licence to Malaysian licence.
Mine expired on 30th August 2008, and I want to convert it to Malaysian one
I am an Indian citizen
Dear Reddy,
Your Florida (USA) driving license has expired. Get it renewed and certified by the issuing authority. After which, you can convert it into Malaysian driving license at any J.P.J. offices
Dear Season Drivers,
I’m a China PRC citizen living in Singapore participating in the MM2H (Malaysia my second home) program wishing to convert my valid China Driving licence to either Malaysian licence if possible or International licence to be used in Malaysia. I searched for information online but not sure where to go to apply any one can help? Providing the address and phone number would perfect.
China license can be converted to Malaysian license. Usually, international driving licenses are issued only by domestic country.
I have Indian Driving license. I want to know that is it necessary to convert it to Malaysian Driving license to drive in Malaysia ?
If no then can I buy a car in Malaysia and get car insurance on my name based on my Indian Driving license ?
Thanks & Regards,
Raju
If planning to stay long in Malaysia, best to convert your Indian license into Malaysia license. As far as I’m aware, there’s nothing to stop you buying a car and getting insurance for it.
Yes I am planning to stay long but can’t I drive based on my Indian Driving License ?
Why it is good to have local Malaysian Driving License ? Is it something that I can’t drive based on Indian DL after some specified time of period ? or just good to have Malaysian DL so doesn’t happen any issue if COP catches ?
Actually I applied for DL conversion at JPJ Putrajaya but they rejected the application saying rule has been changed and now they don’t convert for IT Professionals (Engineers) from India and if want local DL then go through normal procedure which is through DL schools. They said now onward they only allow Doctors and Lecturers from India.
Regards,
Raju
If planning to stay long in Malaysia, get an International Driving License preferably. Due to ficticious license in the market, Malaysian authorities have recently stop conversion of licenses.
Therefore, if you want to get a Malaysian license, you have to test for it. As you yourself said, only doctors and lecturers are accepted.
Dear Sir
I am Pakistani Citizen and would be coming to Malaysia on work permit from August 2010 to work as Manager in an IT Company.
Currently, I possess a Pakistan Driving License. Can you kindly guide me whether I should apply for an International Driving License here in Pakistan. Will it be valid in Malaysia and for how long?
Alternatively, should I not apply for international driving license in Pakistan and get my regular driving license converted to Malaysia Driving License.
Your help would be much appreciated.
Yes, you can do 2 things:
1) Get an international driving license issued by your country.
2) IDL are normally allowed to drive for a reasonable period.
As of late, I can’t verify if foreign license can still be converted into Malaysian licenses. I suggest you visit any state JPJ office to inquire. Visit JPJ headquarters in Putrajaya would be the best.
Thanks Cikgu
Will get the IDL before coming to Malaysia as suggested.
i am not having any license, can i apply direct to international license in Malaysia? My visa is tourist visa. every month i need to exit from Malaysia and comeback. i am in some official trip in malaysia. I will be here for a year.
International driving licenses are issued only to Malaysian who have the Competent Driver’s License (C.D.L.)
hi, I am an international student, I’m from Philippines. I have a professional driver’s licence in Phils but I forgot to apply for International license. I googled on the internet, only PHD student can convert their license. Do you think I can convert my license to malaysian license? I plan to buy a motorbike for easy travelling from home to college and around KL. thanks for the help
As per internet, only Phd students can convert their licenses. Car license cannot be used to ride motorcycles.
hello, I’m Iraqi PhD. student in malaysia , I have domastic expire driving license from my country.I want to get Malaysian driving license .what i must to do to get it without enter driving school.
thanks
Expired Indon license cannot be used. To get Malaysian license, you have to go through a driving school.
Hi cikgu yap,
Im an Indonesian that work in malaysia
i heard that i can use indonesian driving licence in malaysia as long as accompanied by a certified translation from my embassy is this true?
thanks
Yes, you should have no problem using Indonesia driving license in Malaysia. Better to have translation into English.
HI Mr Yap,
I’m a Malaysian citizen and currently in Brunei for a short term period. What if i take the license in Brunei and return back? Do i need to retake the whole test back? Can the license be converted to Malaysia driving license?
Brunei is not part of Malaysia. You may encounter problems when wishing to convert it to Malaysian license. I’ll advise you to get a Malaysian license in Sabah or Sarawak instead.
dear cikgu yap,,
im from philippines holding a drivers license professioanl one and an international drivers license and currently working for petronas in another 2 years so total its gonna be 4 years. my question is can i drive a scooter using this licenses in malaysia or need to have it converted to malysian one.DL.thanks..
If you driving license is for cars, you cannot drive a motorcycle.
Will an international driver’s license issued in Philippines be recognized in Malaysia? Or do i need to convert it to a Malaysian driver’s license for me to be able to drive around Malaysia? My international license is for cars. By the way, i will be driving car too in Malaysia.
Yes, IDL from Philippines can be used in Malaysia.
Hi, I wish to apply for an internation license in Malaysia. I am a Malaysian and hold a valid driver’s license.
I am currently in NZ. Can I do it online or get one of my family members to do it for me? Am i required to a practical test?
When i check in NZ, I am required to sit for teory and practical test here.
Hope you can help me.
IDL can only be issued to CDL holders here in Malaysia. To get IDL, no practical test needed. Whether family members are allowed to apply on your behalf is not certain. You could however make an attempt.
Hi,
I am Indonesian have Temporary Work Permit in Malaysia. My background is IT expert. But JPJ refuse to convert my driving license due my permit is only Temp.
I already got my driving certified by embassy. And I have 3 times experience stopped (road block) by police. First two experience, Police release me after see my license. But the third time, Police denied my license. And I got saman RM600. Is it true? Can I get discount for this summon?
Because I cant convert my DL. So what is your advice? How much to get Malaysian DL for foreigner if I go to Driving School/test? For how long periode? Any recommendation school, my position is in shah alam?
Thank you very much cikgu
Work permit sementara tidak bolah di guna bagi convert lesen. Lesen negara lain kini payah di tukar ke lesen Malaysia. RM600 yang anda di denda, mungkin RM300 untuk tiada lesen sah, RM300 lagi untuk tiada insurans. Anda nampaknya harus mengambil lesen Malaysia semula. Untuk mengambil lesen, harus fasih daman Bahasa Inggeris atau Bahasa Malaysia.
Hi,
My husband and I are American citizens and will be living in Malaysia for 4 years. We have valid US driving licenses. Can we drive with that for more than 3 months? Do we have to get Malaysian driving license? What is the process for doing so.
Thanks.
There should be no problem using your US license here for a reasonable period.