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[PHOTOS] Malaysia's New Driving Licence. Like?

No matter how fancy your car, your Malaysian driving licence is but a piece of laminated card that can bend at the sides and in the rain. Not so great, since it's also easy to forge and you have to carry an extra card around once its renewed. You'll be happy to know this is finally happening, for the first time since 1989.

By Judith Yeoh — 15 Jun 2013, 01:04 PM — Updated over 10 years ago

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New driving licence for us from July 2013 onwards, but it's not compulsory to change

The Road Transport Department (JPJ) will issue the new licences from that date at all its branches nationwide, while all post offices will follow suit beginning November.

New Driving Licence For Us! What's the Difference?

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Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the old licence was maintained since 1989 without any upgraded technology.

It is not compulsory to change to the new licence as long as the old one has not expired.

The government should preserve the integrity of the Malaysian driving license and upgrade its safety features with the latest technology on par with driving licenses used in developed countries. Besides, we purposely print it out in dual language so that it can be used abroad.

A new driving licence with high security features (LMBT) similar to MyKad will be issued starting from July 15.

Image via cbt.com.my

The new driving licence features details printed in Bahasa and Melayu and English to allow for international recognition.

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Among the special features of the LMBT are the pre-printed plastic card design (the size of a credit card) with high security layer hologram to be produced by the high-technology thermal printer machine via thermal transfer.

"Details on it will also be printed in both Bahasa Melayu and English to allow international recognition," he said, adding that the current Malaysian driving licence was recognised in 150 countries.

Hishammuddin said the new high-security licences would strengthen the RTD's database, where drivers' current information and pictures were automatically uploaded.

“The old driving licence can be easily damaged and forged. Security issues can be tackled with the new document,” he said after launching the new document at the JPJ office here yesterday.

It's renewable for the same price: RM30 a year

He reassured the public that the initiative would not involve an additional fee and would be maintained at RM30 a year.

The current licence holders are not required to provide a photo as RTD would obtain the person's photo from MyIdentity database - an initiative by the National Registration Department and Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU).

What to do if you haven't renewed your driving licence for a long time

CDL (Competent Driving Licence) may be renewed for every 1, 2, 3 or 5 years. A grace period of three years is given to renew the license before it lapsed. The CDL holders may need to start over the entire driving lesson procedures after the license lapsed.

No licence yet?

How to get a driving licence in Malaysia

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Age requirement for a driving licence in Malaysia

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"P" licence / Probationary Driving Licence: Applicants must pass the Highway Code test and attend a six-hour theory course which includes information about how to maintain a car in good condition and practical information given on a one-to-one basis.

The PDL may be upgraded to a full competent driving license (CDL) after 2 years, and a grace period of a year is given to upgrade the license before the licensee may need to start over the entire driving lesson procedures.

Competent Driving License (CDL): A full-fledged driving license being upgraded from the PDL after 2 years. CDL holders are subject to the 15-point KEJARA system before their license may be suspended or revoked.