by: Tan Loon Kean
The process of obtaining a motorized driving license in Malaysia starts with getting a Learner driving license (LDL), This driving license is the first step for an applicant to be unable he/she to enroll for a 16-hour driving lesson with any registered driving institute/academy.
After passing the Malaysia Road Transport Department(JPJ) driving test, then only a Probationary Driving License(PDL) will be issued by JPJ for the driver/rider to drive their vehicles on the road under the probation period of two years.
After two years of driving on the road, and fulfilling the rules of not accumulating more than 20 demerit points under The Road Safety System (KEJARA) within this two-year period, his/her PDL will automatically upgrade into COMPETENT DRIVING LICENSE (CDL).
A Malaysian who has possessed a CDL already attained the age of 21-year-old, and if they wish to pursue their career in the transportation sector by using vehicles to ferry passengers or transport goods, they have to apply for another driving license known as VOCATIONAL DRIVING LICENSE (VDL).
For the holders of CDL licenses, also can apply for International Driving Permit at any JPJ office to drive a vehicle when they are traveling overseas.
They are, therefore, different types of driving licenses in Malaysia as stated above, the following article may help to explain in more detail the classes of Licenses.
(A)LEARNER DRIVING LICENSE (LDL)
Anyone, including a foreigner (with a valid passport and visa) who attained the age of 16 years old, he/she could apply for an LDL to learn the motorcycle. However, for those who want to learn to drive either auto or manual motorcar, they must reach the minimum age of 17 years old.
The applicant must be physically fit, and he/she must be able to see an object clearly at a distance of 23 meters and should not suffer from color blindness.
However, a physically disabled person (OKU) could also apply for a motorcycle or motorcar driving license. To obtain an A1 class driving license. he/she must provide an assessment medical report issued by the government medical officers .
Thereafter, their owned vehicle must be modified accordingly to their ability to handle their vehicle to drive safely on the road. They must also undergo driving lessons at a driving institute and passed the tests set by JPJ.
REGISTRATION IN DRIVING INSTITUTE/ACADEMY
The next step is to register with a driving institute/academy for a Theory Of Road Laws And Defensive Driving course. This course is based on the
DRIVERS’ EDUCATION CURRICULUM is conducted by a qualified JPJ registered driving instructor in a comfortable classroom at the institute.
Thereafter, there is a computer-based 50 questions test and they need to obtain a minimum of 42 marks out of 50 marks within a period of 45 minutes for them to obtain the Learner Driving License (LDL).
PRACTICAL TRAINING ON THE DRIVING CIRCUIT AND THE ROAD
The driving institute will then give the LDL holders a 16-hours schedule of driving lessons coached by a licensed instructor.
The circuit practical training (KPP2) is a minimum of 5 1/2 hours of lesson whereas the road practical training (KPP3) must be at least 10 hours.
After completing the above practical training then they must pass the preliminary driving test (QTI) conducted by another instructor in the institute before they could be registered for the JPJ driving test.
The JPJ driving test is conducted by officers from the Transport Department of Malaysia and they must pass both the Circuit Test and Road Test before a Probational Driving License is awarded to them.
(B) PROBATIONARY DRIVING LICENSE (PDL)
A probationary driving license holder is allowed to drive the vehicle on the road according to the class of driving license obtained for a probation period of two years.
During this period, he/she must adhere to the three following rules:
(1) Displayed the “P” stickers at the front and rear of the left top windscreen of the vehicle they were driving.
(2) they must also carry with them their driving license at all times.
(3) They must not drive the vehicle under the influence of illicit drugs or alcohol and during breathalyzer, blood, or urine test conducted by relevant authorities the reading of the test must always be at the 0.00% level.
However, if she/he was serving the summons on the above offenses issued by the authorities. The Demerit Points they accumulated under the KEJARA System will have the following action taken against them.
For example, under the traffic regulation for failing to display “P” stickers on the vehicle then 10 demerits points are recorded and whereas for those who were caught driving under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs conducted by the relevant authorities, 5 demerit points will then be recorded on them.
A probationary license holder who collected more than 10 demerit points during this probation period may have his/her driving license revoked by the Director General of JPJ.
Thereafter, he/she could not apply for any driving license for a period of 12 months from the date of revocation took effect.
To get back the probationary driving license, he/she would have to go through the whole process of application just like a newcomer.
(C) COMPETENT DRIVING LICENSE(CDL)
A PDL driving license holder, after they have been driving for two years on the road with a history of a clean record.
They are eligible to convert their PDL to CDL by paying fees of RM30 yearly at any JPJ office.
However, if he/she failed to do so, after the relapse of one year, his/her Probationary Driving License would automatically be revoked.
If that happened, then he/she would have to file an appeal to the JPJ office for the process to get back their driver’s license.
Those who possessed the CDL driving license are also under the radar of the KEJARA system of 23 listed offenses.
A driver/rider of the vehicle who obtained 20 demerit points per year and continues to accumulate that number of points on their summons served due to their dangerous driving for a period of 5 years then the Director-General of Road Transport Department may consider revoking his/her license.
This harsh action needs to be taken because they are problematic/risky drivers and must be put off the road for the good of other road users.
For CDL holders, their license must not relapse for a period of 3 years from the last date of their expired license.
(D) Vocational Driving License (VDL)
For those who already have a CDL Driving License, and are over the aged of 21 year-old and If they wish to apply for the VDL license.
They must first pass a medical test .
There are two types of VDL, There are Passenger Service Vehicle (PSV) driving license for ferrying paying passengers, and a Goods Driving License (GDL) for carrying goods.
To apply for the above vocational driving license an applicant needs to attend a theoretical course.
For the candidates who are applying for the PSV for bus and GDL for articulated lorry, they must undergo training and pass the test before they are given the vocational license.
Unlike, the theoretical course for applying for Learner’s Driving License in which they must pass the theory test to be given the LDL license.
The applicants for a vocational license from now just require to attend and complete theory classes before they are issued with the license.
The Vocational Driving License is only renewed for a period of one year and each time he/she wants to renew it, a fitness medical test must be certified by a medical officer in the application form.
(E) International Driving Permit
Under the United Nations Conference on Road and motor transport in 1949 & 1968 and the counties signed bilateral treaties with Malaysia. They are allowed to drive on the road of the respective listed countries provided they have a valid IDP license issued by the JPJ.
SAFETY DRIVING CENTRE
In Safety Driving Centre, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
We are offering the following driving license training packages:
(1) Theoretical course to obtain a Learner Driving License.
(2) Probational Driving License for class D/DA.
(3) Probational Driving License for Motorbikes B2/B.
(4) The Driving License for the disabled A1(OKU)
(5) Truck/Lorry with an unladen mass exceeding 7500 kg or E class driving license.
(6) Tractor/ heavy motorized (wheeled) with an unladen mass exceeding 5000 kg. which is the H class driving license.
(7) Those who appealing for an expired driving license for a relevant training class.
(8)The Defensive Driving Course.
(9) The Theoretical course for PSV and GDL Vocational License.
With a sprawling area of more than 5 acres, our institute has the facilities of lecture halls, a challenging driving circuit of all vehicles, and as well as a team of licensed driving instructors.
In order to achieve the company’s goal of ” Skill For Life” on knowledge to drive safely on the road.
Our team of instructors has always been undergoing in-house training to upgrade their skills in coaching candidates on how to make driving more easier, interesting, and fun during practical training.SDC Driving Institute is accessible by taking Putra Light Rail Transit to Asia Jaya Station. The institute is just a few minutes’ walking distance from the station.
