Changes by
JPJ in 2019 mean that a foreign driving licence can no longer be converted to a
Malaysian driving licence (except for a few specific cases such as people holding MM2H visas). [UPDATE January 2021 - more classes of visa holders are now allowed to convert their licences - see https://spousevisamalaysia.blogspot.com/2016/05/driving-in-malaysia-do-you-need-to-ask.html ]
The changes
also mean that many foreign driving licences now need to be accompanied by an International
Driving Permit (IDP). However, driving on an IDP may only be legal for a limited period of time.
I therefore decided to take driving lessons and the JPJ driving test, all of which can be done in English (although some BM is still useful). It is not difficult, but to
pass you will need to spend some time and money on the process. You are required to take
lessons through an approved instructor/school.
From my
experience I think that the minimum time needed is as follows:
1) Theory
Class (6 hours, done in 1 day).
2) Theory
computer test (around 10 minutes, but needs to be taken on a separate day).
3) Lessons on
closed circuit (6 hours, can be done in 1 day but some schools insist on 3 lessons in 2 hour blocks).
4) Lessons
on road (If you have previous driving experience you may not need to do much of this,
but it can take up to 10 hours with some schools insisting on 5 lessons in 2 hour
blocks).
5) Qualifying Test at Institute (QTI) (1 hour, this is for
your instructor to check you are ready for the test).
6) Driving Test (took around 3.5 hours,
including a lot of waiting time).
There are
compulsory waiting times between some of the stages, but if you already have
driving experience then I think the process could be done in about 3 months.
Cost:
There are a
wide variety of charges by different driving schools, which seem to range from RM1,500 to
RM2,500 for a manual driving licence, with the most expensive including services such as
free pick up and drop off and no fee to re-sit in case you fail the test.
Check where your instructor/school carries out the lessons, as they can be in places such as
Subang, Gombak, PJ etc. You may want to choose an instructor/school where
lessons take place near you.
The Driving Test:
From my experience, the driving schools main aim is to get you to pass your test. They are not trying to create good or safe drivers! To pass the test you simply need to mimic exactly what they show you! Some of the driving standards I saw from learner drivers on the day of their test (i.e. after their instructor deemed them to be good enough to sit the test!) were very poor.
From my experience, the driving schools main aim is to get you to pass your test. They are not trying to create good or safe drivers! To pass the test you simply need to mimic exactly what they show you! Some of the driving standards I saw from learner drivers on the day of their test (i.e. after their instructor deemed them to be good enough to sit the test!) were very poor.
The basic
elements of the driving test (for manual driving licence) are:
RPK (Vehicle Inspection Routine):
Carry out
visual checks under bonnet, of road tax, windscreen, tyres, any damage, boot
for spare tyre/warning triangle/jack.
RSM (Routine Before Driving):
Check
handbrake, gear is in neutral, seat, seat belt, rear view mirror, side mirror, indicators,
wipers, hazard lights and horn.
Slope Test:
Stop on a slope with front wheel on yellow line, and then move
away when asked to do so by examiner.
Zeds & Esses:
Manoeuvrability
test through a zig zag and curved road layout.
Side Parking:
Reverse parking
into marked box.
3 Point Turn:
Reverse/turn around in 3 smooth movements.
Road Test:
If you don’t
fail any of the above then you will carry out the Road Test with a JPJ examiner. The requirements
of this will depend on where you take your test, but generally it is a drive of
3km or 5km for the examiner to test your on road skills.
After Completing the Test:
Once you have passed your test you can apply for a Probationary Driving Licence (PDL) at JPJ and you will need to display 'P' stickers on your car. The cost of a 2 year PDL is RM120. Once you have held a PDL for 2 years you can convert it to a full Competent Driving Licence (CDL).
Links to some driving
schools (prices as at Oct 2019):
https://www.facebook.com/onestopdrivingcentre/
(RM1,500. Fast process. Lessons in Gombak)
http://www.sdc.com.my/ (RM2,059. Process
seems slow. Lessons in PJ)
https://metrodriving.com.my/en/ (RM2,500. Claim to be the fastest! Lessons in Subang or Puchong)
There are other instructors/schools available. Not all of the above get great reviews online, so check carefully before signing up with any of them!
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