To drive overseas using a Malaysian driving licence, some countries require the driver to hold an International Driving Permit as well as the Malaysian domestic licence.
Note: Many websites offer an "International Driving Licence," but these are not official documents. Only an International Driving Permit (IDP) is valid, and it must be issued by the official authority in the same country where the domestic driving licence was issued. If you hold a Malaysian driving licence, you must apply to JPJ for an IDP. If you get an IDP from another source you risk a fine for driving with invalid documents, see: https://internationaldrivingpermit.org/fake-idp-websites-to-avoid/
JPJ Requirements to apply for an IDP:
- Applicant must hold a Class B2 or D Competent Driving Licence (CDL).
- CDL must have been held for over 1 year.
- CDL must have at least 1 year left until expiry.
- A fee of RM150 is payable for an IDP, which is valid for 1 year.
- Note: the applicant must have a plastic physical driving licence. The paper 'slip' that has been issued for licence renewals since February 2024 is not valid for overseas use. A physical licence can be requested when renewing the licence. Evidence of forthcoming travels will need to shown. See: https://paultan.org/2024/02/09/jpj-driving-licence-renewal-slip-faq/
Documents Required to apply for an IDP:
- Passport (plus copy of bio page and visa)
- Competent Driving Licence (CDL) (and copy of both sides)
- 1 passport photo (white background)
- Completed Form JPJL1, which can be downloaded here: https://www.jpj.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Borang-Permohonan-Lesen-Memandu-JPJ-L1.pdf
- I also brought evidence of upcoming travels (my flight itinerary) but I wasn't asked to show it.
Application Process:
The JPJ website says that an application for an IDP can be made at any JPJ State or Branch Office:
https://www.jpj.gov.my/en/web/main-site/pemandu-en/-/knowledge_base/driver/application-for-idp-international-driving-permit so it should be possible to apply at UTC branches, but I decided to go to Wangsa Maju JPJ state office.
https://www.jpj.gov.my/en/web/main-site/pemandu-en/-/knowledge_base/driver/application-for-idp-international-driving-permit so it should be possible to apply at UTC branches, but I decided to go to Wangsa Maju JPJ state office.
These notices are from JPJ UTC Pudu, explaining that some services are restricted there:
At JPJ dress rules may be enforced e.g. no shorts/t-shirts/ slippers /short skirts.
I arrived at 745am on a Tuesday and joined the queue at Pintu 1 (Ground Floor). There are now 2 queues, a priority lane for Malaysians and another lane for foreign passport holders. The doors opened at 8am and I queued to take a ticket at the counter. The JPJeQ app was not in use.
Because of the new 2 queue system, the process seems to be slower for foreigners. I got a ticket at 845am and my number was called at 1030am. However it then only took 5 minutes for me to hand over the documents, pay the RM150 fee and be given the IDP, so that part is very efficient and I was finished just after 1030am. By contrast, a Malaysian who arrived at JPJ at the same time as me collected their IDP at 915am.
Be aware that the fee can only be paid using a local debit or credit card or via the Touch 'n Go app. Cash and international bank cards are not accepted by JPJ.