5 Traffic Offences Under The Road Transport Act 1987

When motorists driving in Malaysia commit traffic offences, they will be fined under the Road Transport Act 1987 or the Road Transport Ordinance 1959.

Earlier articles have in fact highlighted various offences and traffic violation that a motorist normally infringes. This article will continue to emphasise upon a few other traffic offences which might not have been highlighted earlier for the benefit of readers. The 5 offences and the fines imposed are as follows:


1) Non maintaining a vehicle in good condition.

Many motorists, including myself, may not be aware that a driver who fails to maintain his vehicle in good and proper order can actually be fined by the authorities.

If a vehicle breaks down or stalls especially in towns, which are normally congested with traffic jams, it will obviously cause massive jams and difficulties to other road users. The traffic police personnel will incur much problem dealing with broken down vehicles on their hands.

You might not be aware that there’s indeed a law that allows the authorities to summon you. Under “non maintenance of a vehicle in good order or condition”, Circular K 94 MV (c/u), you are liable to be fined a sum of RM300. The courts will charge you under Section 119 (2) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

Drivers should therefore not drive their old vehicles which might be more than 10 years old into traffic infested towns like Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Georgetown, Johor Bahru and so forth. The fact being that you might unfortunately be faced with this summons.

2) Brakes, gear, steering and wipers which are not in good working conditions.

The 4 items above in a vehicle obviously play a very important role in a vehicle’s performance. The Road Transport Department has a circular, K 95 MV (c/u) which reiterates that a motorist whose items fail to function properly can be fined by the court authorities under Section 119 (2) of the R.T.O. 1987. Another RM150 can be imposed upon you.

3) Headlamps and rear lights not functioning.

There is a circular K 97 M.V. (c/u) which stipulates that headlights or rear light not functioning violated the traffic rules. It’s again a RM150 penalty which the courts, under Section 119 (2) could impose on you.

4) Non possession of an emergency triangle or cone.

Although all along this law exists, unfortunately the authorities have not enforced it rigidly. All these while, you might have the contention that only commercial vehicles like buses, vans, lorries and trailers which must have these mandatory items in their vehicles.

Now, at least you know the real situation. Even cars in fact should have emergency triangles and cones. In fact, motorists have been very lucky all these while that the police and Road Transport Department officials have not checked your vehicles for these important items.

All drivers are therefore advised to secure them as soon as possible. Circular 101A MV (c/u) can fault you while the courts again under Section 119 (2) can impose a fine for RM150 on you.

5) Not installing your vehicle lights while parking on the right hand side road shoulders.

There are some motorists who choose to park their vehicles on the right hand side road shoulders of roads. This is in fact an offense. As Malaysians, we drive on the left hand side of the road, just like the British do.

Parking your vehicle on the right hand side represent both a traffic violation as well as dangerous. As such, a vehicle should have its lights on when doing such a thing.

Failing to do the above will get your circular K102 M.V. (c/u) imposed on you. The court authorities can fine you a sum of RM150.

By | 2012-10-30T10:03:55+08:00 September 17th, 2010|Driving In Malaysia|4 Comments

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4 Comments

  1. Anna L October 3, 2010 at 11:14 pm - Reply

    Hello Cikgu, need your help. I just paid in full (private loan) for a 2 week old car 6 days ago (verified accident-free by my mechanic) from a private owner and took the car the same day. I’m now waiting for her to settle her loan in full. She said loan not settled yet (as of 2 days ago). Am chasing her to chase her bank so I can get the registration card for Puspakom inspection. Now I’m worried she will use the money I paid her to pay for her new car and leave my car’s loan unsettled. What’s your advice please?
    Actually who’s supposed to pay for transfer of ownership and Puspakom inspection? Buyer or seller?
    Do I need to bring any other documents besides registration card to Puspakom?
    Thanks.

    • Cikgu Yap October 5, 2010 at 10:06 pm - Reply

      Pray and hoe the person from whom you bought 2 week old vehicle pays up her dues to the bank soon. Failing which, you’ll be unable to get registration card for Puspakom inspection. If she fails to settle the loan, there’s nothing much you can do except take legal redress. Transfer free / Puspakom charges normally borne by buyer.

  2. ET December 25, 2011 at 7:41 am - Reply

    Dear Cikgu Yap,

    I am a beginner. I am having a problem when I come out from the side parking space.

    When my steering is full turn on right side and its in 1st gear,my foot full press on clutch and brake, should I first release my clutch(to 50%) and brake slowly, 2nd, press on a bit accelerator, 3rd, release my steering to let my car move? Or should in another way round? I am really helpless.

    Please give me some advice on it. Thank you.

    • Cikgu Yap December 30, 2011 at 8:19 pm - Reply

      Sorry to note your driving ability is very poor. You should learn up properly before attempting to drive.

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