Obtaining a driver’s license can feel like a monumental rite of passage for many young adults, especially as they end their senior year of high school and venture out into the world of early adulthood. And for those who already are in a possession of a license, you will no doubt be aware that you are required by law to renew your license with a validity period of anywhere between one year to the maximum five years.
YB Anthony Loke looking into extending validity of driving license
Well, that may potentially be set to change as during a recent Parliamentary session, Transport Minister YB Anthony Loke revealed that his ministry is now in the process of mulling over a decision to further extended the maximum validity period for Malaysian Competent Driver License (CDL) renewals to 10 years, reports Sin Chew Daily.
Source: Sin Chew Daily
“Transport Ministry officers were told to look into increasing the timeframe for the driving license. We’re currently still studying the feasibility of the proposal”, he said.
The suggestion was made in response to a question posed by Sabak Bernam MP Kalam Sala concerning the necessity for drivers to re-sit their driver’s test if their licenses are out-of-date for a prolonged period of time.
Loke adds that the longer validity period could potentially introduce a new revenue stream for both the government and the Road Transport Department (JPJ). According to The Vibes, he is also mulling on a one-time payment on driver’s licenses, so that ordinary Malaysians will not be burdened with the need to reapply for a new one.
“I understand the situation and I do receive some suggestions regarding this matter from social media to make it a one-time payment, and to have lifelong usage of driving licences,”
What’s more, he shared that one of the benefits they are considering alongside this extension of CDL validity periods is to offer some form of discount to encourage license holders to renew their license for a longer period of time.
Source: RTM
“Maybe we can offer discounts to those who opt to renew their license for 10 years and decide to pay the renewal fees in a go. This is an option that we can implement in the future,”
At this point in time, renewing a CDL license can cost RM30 for a year, RM 90 for three years, and RM150 for five years. Those caught operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license can face a RM150 fine in the first 15 days from the date of their license’s expiry, and up to RM300 should the penalty be paid between 31 to 60 days from the date of the offense.
Separately, he mentioned that there are currently no plans to reduce the cost of road tax in Malaysia, but mentions that the ministry is currently in the midst of studying the system’s structure.
Image credit: WauPost
“As of now, there’s no plans to reduce the costs of road tax as we are still studying the structure of the road tax. However, we must understand that road taxes are a big revenue source for the government”, he added.
Revenue derived from the renewal of road tax is said to be close to RM3 billion.
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