Travelling to Malaysia by car? Read this first.

Are you driving to Malaysia? Malaysia is one of Singaporeans’ favourite holiday destinations thanks to its proximity, rich and savoury food that we’re all familiar with, and most importantly – the favourable exchange rate.

As of 22 April 2022, fully vaccinated travellers and non-fully vaccinated children aged 12 and below can enter Malaysia without quarantine or tests. This includes Singaporean visitors who wish to drive to Malaysia.

Whether it is a quick day trip over the causeway or a longer journey to Melaka, Penang, or even Kuala Lumpur, this guide is here to help you prepare for the journey.

Before driving to Malaysia

• 1. Get your vehicle ready

  To enter Malaysia from Singapore, you will need:

  1. A Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) that will be linked to a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag
  2. A registered Touch ‘n Go card

  Without VEP registration, you will be fined RM150 by the Malaysian authorities. Here’s how to apply for a Malaysian VEP and a Touch ‘n Go card.
  Step 1: Register online at the official VEP portal

  • Register at the official VEP portal here. To speed things up, you can upload a PDF file of your car registration. You can download the PDF file from the official LTA website of OneMotoring. Once your registration is successful, you’ll receive a confirmation email.

  Step 2: Download the Touch ‘n Go Wallet

  • Download and set up your Touch ‘n Go eWallet. Your e-wallet is linked to the VEP-RFID tag. You can use the eWallet to reload your Touch ‘n Go Card so that it automatically pays your road charge for entry to Malaysia. You can also purchase the EZ-Link x Touch ‘n Go card for Singaporeans. It is a dual currency card that you can use for both countries. Find out more here.

  Step 3: Install the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag on your car

  • You should get an email to confirm your VEP registration. You may use the confirmation slip of your VEP application or a TNG card before installation. Make an official appointment to have the tag installed onto your vehicle at one of the centres below:
  • • • Near Woodlands checkpoint: Pandan Rest Stop, Near Plaza Angsana Open Carpark
      • Near Tuas checkpoint: Gelang Patah Southbound rest stop, Lima Kedai Toll Plaza

  Step 4: Install the VEP-RFID tag on the appointment day. This tag will last 5 years and cost RM10 for installation. Bring along these documents:

  • • • VEP confirmation slip
      • Confirmation of your appointment slot
      • Photocopy of your NRIC and passport
      • Registration documents of your vehicle
      • A copy of your latest insurance cover

• 2. Check your passport

  This applies to any overseas trip: Make sure your passport has at least 6 months of validity before leaving.

• 3. Prepare money

  Most shopping malls around Malaysia will have money changers, and their rates are very attractive. However, it is important to prepare some Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) in advance as many roadside stalls and shops outside the shopping centres do not accept any form of wireless payment. Check our guide here if you want to use a debit card instead.

• 4. Get data roaming

  Mobile data is essential for you to make calls and also for road navigation in Malaysia. Data roaming charges are relatively cheap, but you’ll have to activate roaming services with your telco in advance.

• 5. Other checks

  If you’re driving a rental car, you should check with the rental company to see if the vehicle is approved for travel into Malaysia. Most rental companies would inform you of the permissibility, and there is usually a daily rate for your time spent in Malaysia. Do not try to drive into Malaysia without letting the rental company know because their cars are installed with GPS trackers, so they will know if you travel out of Singapore.

  Lastly, remember to bring your driver’s licence and check for your Touch ‘n Go card just before you go.

What you need to know about driving to Malaysia

Personal safety

Is it safe to drive to Malaysia? There have been many horror stories about robberies and stolen cars, but generally, this can happen if you plan to drive around anywhere else in the world. Here are some tips to ensure personal safety:

• Plan your route before you leave.
• Always lock your car when you are away.
• Never leave valuables in the car, especially your mobile phones, cash cards or bags. Even if your bags do not contain valuables, they will attract thieves.
• Park the car in a hotel or secured private parking space if you plan to park overnight.
• Use a steering wheel lock to secure your parked car.
• Install a GPS tracking system to trace your car should it be hijacked.
• If possible, do not come out of your car to settle road disputes; drive off to the nearest police station instead.

Navigating around Malaysia

You should set up a GPS, at least on Google Maps, to help you navigate around Malaysia.

However, do not be overly reliant on the GPS as they often recommend the “shortest” path, which might mean taking small side roads that might get you stuck in a traffic jam.

An alternative to Google Maps would be Waze, which is a user-updated map that locals commonly use, so you get real-time updates on traffic conditions and incidents.

If unsure or lost, find a rest stop or service station to halt and recalibrate your route. Never stop on the emergency lane of the expressways. If you miss an exit, do not panic, and drive till the next available exit.

Toll gates and rest stops

You’ll need to pay toll fees to use the highway, which is where your Touch ‘n Go card comes in handy. You can also use it to pay for parking at most electronic carparks.

Do note that you must pay parking fees as long as you’re parking in official parking lots. This is either done on the parking meters or using parking coupons that you can buy from convenience stores. Tip: Parking in JB is free on Fridays.

Plan your petrol refuels and carefully monitor your fuel gauge as some stretches of road will not have a petrol station for over 40 km. There will also be Rest amp; Relax (Ramp;R) pit stops where you can stop for food and toilet breaks. Stop at popular and crowded pit stops to avoid being singled out and targeted by robbers.

What happens if I have a car accident while driving in Malaysia?

If you’re planning to drive to Malaysia, check your car. Ensure that your tyres are well inflated, all the oil levels are sufficient, and that you have recovery equipment in your car.

You never know when you might run over a nail or experience a tyre puncture. Have your emergency numbers in place, including a towing service in the event you need to get your car towed back to Singapore. Alternatively, you might want to route yourself to the nearest car workshop for a fix.

Do I need travel insurance if I want to drive to Malaysia?

Many things can go wrong when travelling abroad, and that is when travel insurance can cover these unexpected incidents. It might be the loss of your valuables or unexpected medical bills. In addition, travel insurance can cover emergency medical evacuation and overseas hospital expenses in a severe accident. Compare the best travel insurance plans for you or your family here.

Many Singaporeans neglect travel insurance if they are making just a day trip to JB, but consider paying a small premium or getting an annual plan if you frequent Malaysia because this small amount can be a lifesaver if you get into an accident in Malaysia.

If you are driving a rental car to Malaysia, you will still need travel insurance, as most rental car insurance will only cover your use in Singapore. Check our guide to find out what you need to do for rental cars.

Bottom line

To sum it up, remember that it is always good to plan your trip. If you are going out or coming back to Singapore on the weekend, on a public holiday, or during the school holidays, expect traffic jams of over 3 hours at both Woodland and Tuas customs.

Enjoy and have a fun road trip!

Frequently asked questions

• How long does it take to get my Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) so I can drive to Malaysia?

  Once you have a confirmation email from the official VEP portal, you can use that before you install the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag on your car. The time it takes to install the tag depends on the availability of appointments at the 4 installation centres.

• Where can I get my vehicle registration details to apply for the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP)?

  You can get your vehicle registration details at the Land Transport Authority (LTA) website. If you are driving a Singapore-registered car and are a Singaporean, you need your Singpass to log in.

• If I am driving a foreign registered car not registered in Singapore, do I still need a permit to drive to Malaysia?

  Yes. The Vehicle Entry Permit applies to all foreign cars driving to Malaysia. This includes Singapore-registered cars and other vehicles not registered in Singapore.

• If I am driving a Malaysia-registered vehicle back to Singapore, what is the procedure?

  You will need a Vehicle Entry Permit to enter Singapore if you are driving a car that is not registered in Singapore. Here are the details from the Singaporean authorities.