Using A Broken Wiper And 14 Other Road Offences You Didn’t Know Came With A 'Saman'

Yup, it sounds crazier than getting a saman for beating the red light, but it’s for real…

Note: In this list, we referenced JPJ's handbook on road offences in Malaysia. The full version can be found here.

You may have seen different variations and sizes of these stickers but the Malaysian Road Transport Department (JPJ) only permits a P sticker with a 15cm x 15cm measurement.

On top of that, the sticker must be placed on the left side of the car's front and rear windscreen.

Failure to follow these requirements could cost you a fine of up to RM70.

If you're in cities like Ipoh that uses the scratch-and-display parking system, failure to place the parking ticket in an area that's visible to the enforcement assistant can result in a fine of up to RM300.

Using coupons ahead of time or displaying a coupon that has not been scratched is also an offence.

Each city council has its own way of regulating parking coupons, be sure do clarify any questions you have with them.

The third brake light is not only a safety precaution but also a legal requirement. If that light isn't working, you are putting both yourself and anyone driving behind you in danger, and you run the risk of getting an expensive RM150 summons.

Tinting your vehicle is perfectly fine in Malaysia but the level of tinting is one you should be cautious of.

Errant motorists who refuse to adhere to the law on permissible level of tinting for windscreen and side windows will face higher fines and penalties under a new law gazetted last year.

The following requirements for minimum visible light transmission (VLT):

- 70 percent VLT for front windscreen
- 50 percent VLT for front side windows
- 30 percent VLT for rear side windows and rear windscreen

The new law will see the maximum fine raised to RM2,000, or a six-month jail sentence for first-time offenders, while subsequent offenders will be fined up to RM4,000, or 12-month jail sentence, or both.

This one is for all the bikers out there. You're required to switch on your headlights every time you're riding, including the day. Yup, even when the sun is out and about. The fine for breaking this rule is RM50.

While overtaking on the left lane seems pretty common on our roads, but if you're caught doing so, be prepared to fork out RM300 to pay the summons.

A quick run to the ATM machine? Getting down to order a Ramly burger?

You can do all of that if you turn off your car's engine. But if you leave the engine running, you will be fined RM100.

A common occurrence during heavy traffic but stopping your vehicle on the pedestrian walkway can land you a RM150 fine.

Ever get smears and blurs from using your windshield wipers? Most likely it means your windshield wiper blades are either dirty or worn out. Wiper maintenance is easy and you shouldn't delay it because your faulty wipers can land you with a RM100 fine.

Like most people, you probably do not give much thought to the speedometer in your car until it stops working correctly. But once the needle begins to bounce, jump, or stop moving at all, it is a problem that needs to be fixed fast.

Without a working speedometer, you will not be able to know if you are speeding and will face a RM100 fine.

A muffler or silencer is a device that decreases the amount of noise emitted by the exhaust of an internal combustion engine. It's basically the thing that prevents your exhaust pipe from sounding like an elephant on a rampage.

If you're caught driving without a muffler attached to your exhaust pipe, you'll be slapped with a RM100 fine.

A yellow box is located at the cross junction where traffic lights are located. The purpose of the box is to enable traffic from all directions to move without obstruction. Failing to move away from the box can attract a RM150 fine.

A study by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) has alarmingly found only 7-9% of Malaysians to wear seat belts in the back.

When you have passengers seated at the back, always remind them to belts up. A passenger in the back seat caught not wearing a seat belt can be fined RM300 (the passenger will be fined, not the driver).

It can be pretty tempting to use the bus lane during peak hour traffic but if you're caught doing so, you'll face a RM100 fine.

A car horn is an important element of a properly functioning vehicle. Horns are used to make way, reduce risk, and caution pedestrians. Being caught driving a car without a horn will see you facing a RM70 fine.