Driving into Malaysia: A Quick Guide for PHV Drivers

Are you already planning your upcoming trip to our neighbouring country, Malaysia?

Here’s the ultimate guide of what you need to know before you drive into Malaysia, private hire drivers edition!

BEFORE YOU GO:

1. Renting a car? Check if your rental company allows you to drive to Malaysia (GrabRentals does!)

PHV drivers who are renting their car should check with the rental company if the car is approved for travel into Malaysia.

Depending on your rental company, you may be required to submit certain documents, or pay an additional surcharge. You may also be required to purchase additional vehicle insurance coverage separately.

GrabRentals driver-partners are allowed to drive their cars to Malaysia FOR FREE, and do not need to get additional clearance or approval from GrabRentals.

2. Get your Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) from your vehicle rental company

The Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) is a permit issued by the Road Transport Department of Malaysia (under Section 66H of the Road Transport Act 1987) that allows the entry of foreign vehicles into Malaysia. It is mandatory to apply for a VEP for all foreign-registered vehicles entering Malaysia.

You may register for a VEP online on the Road Transport Department of Malaysia’s website.

Private hire drivers who are renting their car should approach their vehicle rental company for the VEP confirmation slip instead. Similarly, all GrabRentals driver-partners will be able to download their VEP confirmation slip from the GrabRentals Portal and will not need to sign up for a separate VEP account.

driving-into-jb-malaysia-phv-driver-rented-car-gr-portal

GrabRentals Portal

3. Make sure to get vehicle insurance covering Malaysia (GrabRentals’ insurance does!)

Insurance is mandatory for all vehicles entering Malaysia and it is illegal to enter without vehicle insurance.

PHV drivers who are renting their car should check with the rental company whether there are additional surcharges and if you will need to purchase additional vehicle insurance coverage separately.

GrabRentals driver-partners may drive to Malaysia with their rented car with no additional surcharge, as GrabRentals’ vehicle insurance covers West Malaysia.

4. Touch N’ Go Card (TNG)

EZ-Link x Touch ‘n Go Motoring Card

Before you set off on your trip, please ensure that your Touch ‘n Go card is active and has sufficient balance.

The Touch ‘n Go card is similar to the NETS cashcard in Singapore, and can be used to pay for highway and checkpoint tolls. If your card is inactive or expired, you may purchase a new EZ-Link x Touch ‘n Go Motoring card at selected 7-11 outlets in Singapore.

5. QR Code Immigration Clearance

Exciting news for GrabRentals PHV Drivers planning a trip to Malaysia! From March 19 2024, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) allows travellers to clear immigration at Singapore’s Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints using QR codes instead of passports. This applies to individual travellers or groups of up to 10 people in the same vehicle.

To start enjoying this feature, prepare your trip by following the guide below.

Straits Times

With this new initiative, you get to significantly reduce your waiting time at immigration checkpoints by more than 30 per cent and that’s a substantial time-saving, especially during peak travel times. This initiative aims to make cross-border travel smoother and faster.

However, there are a few precautions to keep in mind to ensure a seamless journey:

Double-check all passport details entered into the MyICA app for accuracy. Any discrepancies could lead to rejection at the checkpoints.
If you’re using a group QR code, all members must travel in the same vehicle. The QR code will be rejected if the details and number of travellers in the vehicle don’t match.
Despite the convenience of the QR code initiative, remember to carry your physical passports as they are still required to clear immigration in Malaysia.
First-time visitors and those re-entering Singapore using a different passport from their last visit will need to present their passport for immigration clearance. They will be able to use QR codes for immigration clearance on subsequent trips.

By keeping these precautions in mind, you can look forward to a hassle-free journey with GrabRentals into Malaysia. Safe travels!

6. Other important items to note

The most important item is undoubtedly your passport! Ensure that your passport has at least 6 months validity. Drivers planning to take advantage of the lower petrol costs in Malaysia should also take note that you’ll need to have at least ¾ tank of fuel in your vehicle when leaving Singapore via the land checkpoints or you may be turned away from entering Malaysia, fined or prosecuted in court!

SAFETY TIPS WHEN DRIVING ABROAD:

1. Lock your car at all times

Keep your valuables safe and your worries at bay, always remember to lock your car!

2. Be aware of the hotline to call in case of a breakdown

It is very important to be aware of what to do in case of vehicle breakdowns and emergencies, and whom to contact. GrabRentals driver-partners may refer to the 24/7 vehicle breakdown hotline found on your decal.

3. Conduct simple maintenance checks on your vehicle before you go

Make sure that your car is in optimal condition prior to driving to Malaysia.

Simple checks you can do that are often overlooked include making sure that your headlights, turn signals, brakes and parking lights are working properly. Walk around your car and visually inspect that all of the lights are working correctly.

You should also make it a habit to visually inspect your tires often, especially before a long trip. If you notice that your tires are too worn out, you should replace them as soon as possible.

As a rule of thumb, you should also be sending your car for maintenance and servicing every 10,000 km or every 6 months, depending on which comes first. GrabRentals driver-partners may refer to our GrabRentals Portal for workshop information.

Are you ready to travel to Malaysia? In summary, make sure that you have the below items ready!

Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP)
Vehicle insurance (covering Malaysia)
Touch ‘n Go card
MyICA Mobile App
¾ tank of fuel in your car
Passport with at least 6 months of validity

Book your car with us now!

Rent your car from GrabRentals now! We’re the largest private-hire car rental fleet in Singapore. Whether you are interested in petrol, hybrid or electric cars, we have a wide-ranging vehicle fleet available for you.

For new driver-partners, you may visit our website here to book your car online. Existing driver-partners may recontract online here. If you would like to find out more or speak to our customer helpdesk, you can also book an appointment at Grab@Tampines or chat with us on our Facebook page.