Getting a driver's license in Malaysia

Kesuma A.Rahman Getting a driving license in Malaysia today is highly desirable if not a necessity. There are a few types of licenses available and anyone can apply provided they are physically capable and satisfy minimum age requirements. The more popular motorcycle license (B license) sets a minimum age of 16 for applicants, a car license(D License), 17 years of age and for those applying for a lorry license(E license), a minimum age of 21 is required. The B license has sub-categories B, B1and B2 depending on motocycle engine capacity. The E license also have sub-categories E,E1 and E2 depending on lory weight. The are also licenses for handicapped persons(an A license), a 3-wheeler license(C license) and various heavy vehicle licenses, the F,G,H and I licenses, depending on vehicle weight and transport configurations. The scope of this explanation covers only the D license. In Malaysia, the processes, from registering an application up to but not including the final road test, are handled by driving institutions. An applicant only need to register at a nearby institution and a timetable formulated to best fit your schedule. The pricing differs from one institution to the other but will generally be aound RM1000.00. The processes involved are listed below.

1. Attend the 5-hour Driver Education Course, KPP Course 2. Complete the Computerized Highway Code Test, Ujian Undang-Undang Berkomputer(BGH 1) 3. Attend the 6-hour Basic Driving Workshop, Bengkel Asas Pemanduan 4. Complete a minimum 8-hour road training, Latihan Amali Pemanduan 5. Complete a pre-test conducted by driving school instructors, Pra-ujian 6. The final road test conducted by JPJ authorities, Ujian Praktikal, Bgh 2 dan 3
The Driver Education Course, a 5-hour course is based on the KPP syllabus which among other things focuses on Highway codes, responsible driving, accidents and their causes, crisis management, the demerit system and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The syllabus is extensive and the 5 hours merely discusses the issues in general. Beyond that, it will be up to the student to cover the syllabus by themselves. Student can take their time and need not register for the Highway Code Test until they are ready for it. However, driving institutions usually set a time limit and prefer you take the test as soon as possible. The Computerized Highway Code Test is a multiple choice test of 50 questions taken on a conputer. A minimum pass mark of 42/50 is required before you move on to the next stage. If you fail to accomplish this, you can register for a re-sit as soon as one week ahead by paying an additional RM50.00. You might also want to enquire whether the institution has special software installed to train you for the actual test. If you secure a pass, a Learner license(L) is processed for you within a week and will allow you to drive a vehicle under supervision of an instructor. Before you can drive, a Basic Driving Workshop must be attended. This 6-hour hands-on course will educate you in basic vehicle maintenance including battery maintenance, checking for oil levels and if there is time, changing tyres. Road

training requires a minimum of 8 hours and a maximum of 16 hours. Although a proposal is being put forward to allow training and testing with automatic trasmission cars, for the moment all training and testing is done with a manualtransmission car. The fee you paid should automatically cover the minimum 8 hours. If you have a need for further traning, additional costs may apply and will be charged hourly. Upon completing a minimum of 8 hours, before the final road test by JPJ officials, a pre-test may be conducted by instructors to gauge your readiness. The pre-test will be designed to match the actual JPJ tests. The final road test will evaluate you in 4 basic manuvers namely, the slope test, 3-point turns, side parking and road test. Your status will be conveyed immidiately after each test and upon successfully completing all tests, you will be awarded your PDL, Probation Driving License. After 2 years, provided you do not exceed a demerit point of 10, your license will be automatically upgraded to the CDL license, Competent Driving License. If you are unsuccessful in any test, you are not required to proceed with other tests. Additional hours in practical training will need to be completed befor you can register for another test. You will also incur additional charges for the training and registration for the test. Most driving institutions have packages where they will train you until you succedd in all your test. If you are a new driver, it might be well worth it to register for such packages. Good luck and drive safely.