Sharing my experiences as a foreign spouse in Malaysia applying for Spouse Visa (Long Term Social Visit Pass/Pas Lawatan Sosial Jangka Panjang), Permanent Residence (Permit Masuk) and Driving Licence (Lesen Memandu)
May 20, 2025
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Driving overseas with a Malaysian Licence: Getting an International Driving Permit (IDP) from JPJ
To drive overseas using a Malaysian driving licence, some countries require an International Driving Permit together with the Malaysian domestic licence.
- 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/
- 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.
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.
May 16, 2025
Driving in Malaysia: 2025 Updates for Foreign Licence Holders
The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has announced that from 19th May 2025 they will no longer convert foreign driving licences to Malaysian licences.
The only exceptions to this policy are for diplomats, Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) participants, and Malaysians who only hold foreign licences.
Foreign spouses, permanent residents and others will no longer be eligible for licence conversion.
More information is available here:
JPJ's announcement also provided guidance for individuals who use their foreign licence to drive in Malaysia:
- Those from countries party to the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic 1949 and the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic 1968 may drive using an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued by the relevant authority in their home country.
- Nationals of ASEAN countries may use their home driving licence, in accordance with the 1985 Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences Issued by ASEAN Countries