How to drive in Malaysia?

can i drive in malaysia with us license

Basic rules of the roads and driving requirements.

GENERAL TIPS AND ROAD INFORMATION

Driving in Malaysia is on the left hand side of the road.
The country offers a good system of road transport, and driving across the country is easy. Road signs are efficient. Highways connect from north to south.

ROADS AND MOTORWAYS

There are 49,935 km of paved roads (including 1,192 km of expressways) in Malaysia and its infrastructure is excellent. Most roads are in good condition with little or no congestion. The completion of the north-south highway provides a first class road from Malaysia to Thailand and the secondary roads are generally in good condition. Road signs are blue for federal, state and municipal roads and green for toll expressways or highways. Some state road use letters.

PARKING

Parking in Malaysia’s most crowded cities is not easy.

FINES

Speeding may be fined up to RM300 and offenders may also receive demerit points as subject to KEJARA System by Malaysian Road Transport Department. Laws against drunk driving are strictly enforced by stiff penalties and Malaysian driving laws prohibits the use of mobile phones.

FUEL

Petrol can be easily purchased at the many petrol stations around the island and is very affordable.

SPEED LIMITS

On motorways, the speed limit is at 110 km/h. On municipal, state, and federal roads, it is 90 km/h. In cities or urban areas it is 60 km/h. Highway patrols monitor speed limits and speed limits may also vary from road to road so be aware of the signs.

TOLL INFORMATION

There is a toll system for very expressway and highway toll rate classes for every Malaysian expressway except Penang Bridge and SMART Tunnel where toll rates vary.

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS

The minimum age to drive in Malaysia is 18.

DRIVER’S LICENSE

Drivers are required to hold a Malaysian Competent Driving License, Probationary Driving License or an International Driving License. Foreign licenses can be used if endorsed by the Road Transport Department, and some nationals are allowed to drive with their national license during the first three months of their stay in Malaysia.

INSURANCE

Third party insurance is compulsory in Malaysia.

SEAT BELTS

Seat belts should be used at all times. The driver must buckle up or they will be fined.

CHILDREN

Children under 4 years old sit in the back, and all children should use a child seat.

MOTORCYCLES

Motorbikes are numerous, particularly in the cities and the death rate for motorcyclists is extremely high, accounting for more than half the road deaths in Malaysia. Drivers are advised to exercise caution an be aware for their often unpredictable behavior.

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Police 999
Ambulance 999
Fire Brigade 994
Civil Defense 991

SOURCES ExpatKl.com / Malaysia Allo Expat / Car Hire 3000 / Expat Focus / Wikipedia / Tourism Malaysia / Wikitravel