How to Get a Driving License in Malaysia

Like any other foreign countries, driving license is required in Malaysia before any Malaysian is allowed to drive a motor vehicle legally. There are five types of driving license in Malaysia which include Learner's Driving License (LDL), Probationary Driving License (PDL), Competent Driving License (CDL), Vocational Driving License (VDL), and International Driving Permit (IDP). There are several steps involved in getting a driving license. Firstly, you must sign up at a driving academy. The minimum age to apply for driving license is 16 years old for motorcycle and 17 years old for car respectively. Make sure your instructor is a certified and experienced instructor. Usually, things to be discussed before going for driving lessons are the price required, time schedule of the applicant, different packages of the driving lessons, and other details. If everything is fine, you can make the deposit payment with attachment of a copy of Identification card and two passport-sized photos. Generally, RM800 to RM950 is required for car license while around RM450 to RM550 is required for motor license. Next, you are required to attend a five hours road-safety course. It is known as Kursus Pendidikan Pemandu (KPP) in which it is mostly conducted in Malay language. Basic information about driving on the road is taught in this session. During this session, you will be asked to answer the numbers shown on the cards accordingly. You need to pass this colour-blind test for 100% before proceeding to the next stage. At the end of the course, you will be given a booklet to study for the test. Three days after the KPP lesson, you are eligible to take the computer test in any nearby Road Transport Department (JPJ) examination centre. There are 50 multiple choice questions given in which the passing mark is 42 marks over 50 marks. If you pass the test, you will get a certificate which is valid for one year and proceed to pre-L lesson. If you fail the test, you will have to retake the test until you pass it eventually. Later on, you will have to attend the pre-L lesson in which it includes three hours theory class and three hours practical class. In the theory session, you will learn about the common rules on the road. For instance, priority will be given to the vehicles which are on the main road. In the practical session, your instructor will let you explore the basic structure of the vehicle and explain parts by parts so that you are able to understand fully about your vehicle. Around one week after the pre-L lesson, you will get your Learner's Driving License which is the L license. This L license permits you to go on with the driving lessons. Driving lessons usually take about 4 to 5 classes or 8 to 10 hours. For motorcyclists, you will learn to turn in the figure of eight, drive with the presence of cone obstacles and emergency break skills. For car drivers, you will learn to drive on the road, stop and proceed at the slope, three-point turn, and side parking. After you gain sufficient learning experience, you will take a trial test in which you will go through the standard examination procedure once before the real test. This will be conducted by the instructor from the driving academy to see how far you can master the driving skills. If you fail to perform well, the instructor will suggest you to pick up two or more lessons before going for the real examination. Then, you can choose your final examination date and time according to your schedule. The last step to get your driving license is to attend the final practical test which will be conducted by Road Transport Department (JPJ). There are two parts in this test which include side parking, three-point turn and slope test at the circuit as well as driving on the road. You need to perform well in both parts to pass the test. Once you pass the final practical test, you are eligible to get your driving license which is the Probationary Driving License (PDL). After getting the P license, you are considered a new driver in which you have to display the probationary license plate at the front and back of vehicle. The P license may be upgraded to Competent Driving License (CDL) after two years with no records of traffic infractions.