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S'poreans Driving Into Malaysia Will Soon Need VEP. What Is It & Here's How You Can Get It

It will become mandatory from 1 October 2024.

Cover image via VEP & Bernama

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All foreign-registered vehicles entering Malaysia from Singapore will be required to have a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) starting 1 October this year, Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced yesterday, 28 May

According to Loke, the regulation, which originally began in 2019, will apply to entry points at both the Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) complex at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) in Tambak, Johor, and the CIQ Complex at the Sultan Abu Bakar building at the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link.

"Since April 2019, we have implemented the registration of VEP for foreign-registered vehicles crossing the CIQ Complex at Sultan Iskandar Building in Tambak Johor and the CIQ Complex at Sultan Abu Bakar Building. To ensure that foreign vehicle owners fully comply with road regulations in Malaysia, the Transport Ministry wishes to inform you that the VEP regulations will be fully enforced starting 1 October.

"Anyone driving a foreign-registered vehicle without VEP before entering or while in Malaysia is committing an offence under Section 66H (7) of the Road Transport Act 1987. If convicted, you may be fined up to RM2,000 or imprisoned for up to six months as stipulated in Section 119 (2) of Act 333," he said.

Any foreign-registered vehicle found without a VEP can either be barred from entering Malaysia or be prevented from leaving the country

Loke said the Road Transport Department (JPJ) has the authority under Section 66J of the Road Transport Act 1987, which covers outstanding matters relating to foreign motor vehicles.

"This means that if they have committed a road offence or have an outstanding summons, they would have to settle them first before leaving the country," he was quoted as saying.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke (right).

Image via Mohd Fadli Hamzah/New Straits Times

Who is required to register for a VEP before entering Malaysia?

The VEP is mandatory for all categories of foreign-registered vehicles.

Namely, there are three main categories of affected vehicle ownership: private (individuals and organisations), commercial (businesses), and government (including embassies and consulates).

VEP-registered vehicles will be fitted with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that costs RM10, compared to the current charge of RM20 for each time a foreign-registered private vehicle enters Malaysia.

Each VEP would be valid for five years.

How to apply for a VEP in Malaysia?

Go to the official VEP website: https://vep.jpj.gov.my

After you have signed up by creating a profile, the website will send you a confirmation via your registered email. Click on the URL link in the confirmation email and you will be redirected to the TCSens portal.

The URL for this portal is: https://vepams.jpj.gov.my

Here, you can log in using the same user ID and password to complete your VEP registration. Before proceeding, remember to download the Touch 'n Go app and register your eWallet account.

You will then be required to submit four mandatory documents: a certificate of entitlement, national registration identity card, motor insurance, and authorisation letter.

Image via VEPAMS

You will receive an email notification once your application has been approved.

How to obtain your VEP RFID tag?

You will be allowed to choose from two available methods to collect your VEP RFID tag, either by courier to your address or self-collection at a VEP collection centre managed by TCSens.

After you've selected your preferred option, you will need to make payment online.

Image via VEPAMS

If you have picked postage, your VEP RFID tag will be couriered to your specified address.

For self-collect, you will need to call in to make an appointment first and bring along your appointment slip during collection. Do note anyone collecting on your behalf will need an authorisation letter.

Once you have received your VEP RFID tag, you will have to perform "tag acknowledgement" by logging in to the TCSens portal and clicking the acknowledgement button on your vehicle number

You will also need to insert the VEP RFID tag serial number for validation.

Image via VEPAMS

Now, you would need to attach the VEP RFID tag to your vehicle

According to the guidelines issued, clean the surface first and let it dry for a couple of minutes.

Then gently peel off the VEP RFID tag from the edges, and paste it horizontally on the left headlamp on the passenger side of the vehicle. The tag should not be fitted on the curved portion of the headlamp.

Image via VEPAMS

Once attached, take a photo framing the fitted VEP RFID tag with your car registration number and upload it to the TCSens portal at: https://vepams.jpj.gov.my. You will be notified when your tag is activated.

Image via VEPAMS

You can now pay your road charge and toll fees with your VEP RFID tag at designated RFID lanes on the highways throughout Malaysia

Remember that the VEP RFID tag is non-transferable.

The VEP RFID tag is unique for each vehicle and when the ownership of a vehicle is transferred to another entity, the validity of the VEP RFID tag automatically ceases, according to the Road Transport Department.

You are also required to update the following details as and when the information expires:

- Road tax expiry date
- Insurance details, such as company name, policy number, and expiry date
- Vehicle owner's passport number and expiry date
- Vehicle owner's license details and expiry date
- Driver's license details and expiry date
- Vehicle change of ownership

The vehicle owner is also required to review and update the vehicle details every five years.

Additionally, if you enter Malaysia with an expired VEP RFID tag, a penalty of RM150 will be imposed.

Image via VEPAMS

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