So, you’re ready to hit the Malaysian roads?
Here are some easy steps to take when obtaining a drivers licence in Malaysia. Just like any other services, the cost to obtain a drivers licence has increased as compared to 10 or 20 years ago.
For instance, back in the early 2000s, the average cost to get a Class D driving licence would range somewhere between RM1,000 to RM1,500. And that’s really depending on the driving school and of course the distance between your pick up point and the test area.
Costs increased these days are also attributed to the newly-revamped learning curriculum which required longer teaching hours and new teaching methods. The new curriculum was in-depth with a one-on-one teaching approach, unlike the old system where some sections of teaching were conducted in groups.
Driving licence cost and fees in Malaysia
There are various steps involved before you can be a proud holder of a Malaysian driving licence. The first step is to register with an approved driving institute. You can get a list of approved driving institutes in Malaysia at the Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) website here.
The cost depends on the type of driving license whether manual or automatic, services the driving school provides, as well as the quality of its facilities. Cheaper driving schools may use older car models while driving schools that use newer car models charge higher prices. Additionally, for the higher price tag, you will also enjoy extra services like transportation services and the convenience of a centrally located driving school.
Here’s what you will be paying for:
- Registration fees to the driving school
- The 5-hour course for the theory exam
- Practical on-road lessons up to 22 hours (or more)
- Theory/computer examination
- Booking fee for examinations
- Processing fees
- Fee for the L and P licences
Here are two examples we found, to give you a rough gauge of how much it would cost:
- At the popular Metro Driving Academy, you could pay up to RM2,500 for a 7 to 10 weeks course that includes 3 attempts at the theory/computer test, unlimited retesting for the final JPJ Practical Test, transportation to and from selected pickup points, food and drinks throughout the course. You're also given a choice of English Or Bahasa Malaysia courses and they even offer a flexible payment plan.
- SM Rakyat Driving School in Brickfields charges between RM1,600 - RM1,900 for Class D or DA, Malaysian citizens and foreign citizen basic packages. These exclude the frills of pickup transportation and food and drinks.
Related: How To Get A Driving License In Malaysia
Cost and fees of renewing your driving license
Once you have obtained your CDL, you need to renew it when it expires. The date of expiry for your driving license will be the same as your date of birth. However, you can choose the validity duration of your driving license. It will cost RM30 for 1-year renewal. Take note that the minimum renewal duration is 1 year with a maximum of 5 years. You can renew your driving licenses via the options below:
- Post Office
You can renew your driving licence at all POS Malaysia branches. To do so, make sure to bring your identity card and existing driving licence. Decide how many years you would like to renew it for, pay the amount and wait for your licence card to be printed. - Jabatan Pengankutan Jalan (JPJ)
You may go to any JPJ branches and present your IC, existing driving licence, photo, and make the payment according to your renewal duration. Most JPJ branches have a camera booth if you need a photo taken. However, to expedite the process, bring along a copy of a driving licence sized photo.
License expiring soon?
Simple! Just visit your nearest POS Malaysia OR JPJ branch and don’t forget to bring along your IC and existing driver’s license.
It will cost you RM30 for each year. For example, should you decide on a three-year renewal, the amount will come up to RM30 X 3 = RM90.
However, if your driver’s license has expired you will be smacked with a fine! Here are the fine rates for both motorcyclists and drivers with expired licenses
So basically this is the amount you’ll be fined based on how long your driver’s license has expired: 1 – 15 days: RM150 fine 16 – 30 days: RM200 fine 31 – 60 days: RM300 fine
Here’s the important part when renewing your license
If you somehow forgot to renew your expired driver’s license for three years or more, your license would become completely null and void. Meaning, it’s no longer renewable! Instead, you will be issued an eRayuan letter to obtain the “L” license from any JPJ office (which would cost you RM30), and you would have to re-sit the practical driving test 2 and 3 all over again.
But that’s not it, once you have passed the test, you still won’t get your CDL, but you will be given the two-year probationary (P) license.
Reminder!
Do check your license regularly and make sure it hasn’t expired to avoid the hassle.6
Back to Blog 
