Yes, we all love to hit up the cafes in JB or go even farther to check out the many malls in KL. But driving to JB just got a tad more complicated since the enforcement of Malaysia’s Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) on 1st October 2024.
If you’re a driver who frequents the country for affordable dining options and various avenues of entertainment, know that authorities have mentioned that the movement of all foreign-registered vehicles going in and out of Malaysia will be tracked more closely. Well, here’s all you need to know about how and where to apply for the VEP.
The current exchange rate is RM1 = ~S$0.30 as of 9th October 2024.
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A VEP is a permit issued by the Road Transport Department Malaysia that will allow foreign vehicles to enter the country. Each VEP comes with a radio frequency identification tag (RFID), which acts as an identity card for payments and tracking. The road charge of RM20 for entering JB and toll fees for Malaysia’s expressways will be paid through the RFID tags.
Starting from 1st October 2024, Malaysia’s Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) has officially been implemented at the 2 JB checkpoints – Sultan Iskandar Building and Sultan Abu Bakar Complex. So, the short answer is that yes, all Singapore-registered private cars, and government and commercial vehicles that are entering Malaysia must now have the VEP-RFID tags installed.
Image adapted from: Wei Ern via Facebook
If you don’t have an RFID tag yet, you can still enter JB after 1st October but you will receive a warning and you have to show a confirmation slip of your VEP application. Subsequent offences could lead to risks of being barred from entering Malaysia, a fine of up to RM2,000, or a jail sentence of 6 months.
Image adapted from: Touch ‘n Go
Before you proceed to register for a VEP, it’ll be best if you have your NRIC, passport, and documents like vehicle road tax, insurance, and COE information prepared. If you want to save yourself the trouble of entering your vehicle information manually, you can upload a PDF of your vehicle log card, which can be retrieved from the OneMotoring LTA website.
To make things flow smoothly, you can also download the Touch ‘n Go e-wallet app (App Store | Google Play) before registration, as it will be later linked with your VEP-RFID tag for future payments on the road.
As Malaysia’s VEP policy was only introduced recently, information can be hard to find online. For your convenience, we have compiled everything you need to know about this new policy, from online registration to the physical centres where you can seek assistance.
Image credit: Road Transport Department Malaysia
To start off, you’ll have to register for an account on the Road Transport Department of Malaysia’s VEP website. Once you have authenticated your account through email, you can either manually enter your vehicle number, COE, and chassis details or submit your vehicle log card.
Do note that you will receive a confirmation email once your application has been approved, and this email can take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks to be sent due to the high volume of applications.
Image credit: James Chong via Facebook
Once you have received the confirmation email, you will have 2 options to get your VEP-RFID tag: either arranged courier by post to your home address or self-collection at any of the 4 VEP Collection Centres. 3 of the centres – Danga Bay, Road Transport Department, and Southern Region Road Transport Academy – are located in JB, while the last one is in Woodlands.
The processing fee for the VEP-RFID tag costs RM10, and If you’re arranging for home delivery there will be an additional service fee of RM30 and a postage fee of RM15.
Image credit: @francispeh via Instagram
To complete your VEP registration, you’ll have to attach the RFID tag on the top left corner of your vehicle’s windscreen or the left headlamp. You are then required to take a photo of the tag with the car’s licence plate and upload the image on the VEP website.
If you need assistance with RFID tag installation, you can ask the JPJ officers at any of the 4 collection centres for help. While most of the centres run on an appointment basis due to the large crowds, do note that you can make walk-in enquiries at the Danga Bay Centre in JB.
Unfortunately, it does. The validity period of a VEP upon successful application is 5 years after which it has to be renewed.
Much like our passports, the permits will need to be valid for at least 6 months before the expiry date when you enter Malaysia. So, make sure to apply in advance and check for expiry dates if you’re travelling after a long period of time.
In terms of traffic activity, JB checkpoint traffic monitoring sites have reported smooth traffic, with groups only taking 5 minutes to clear immigration. Don’t worry if you’re driving a rental car, as you won’t be required to have VEP-RFID tags fixed at the moment, but you’re still required to bring printed VEP application confirmation slips.
As for the VEP collection centres, long queues have been the common sighting with queue numbers running out as fast as from 8am onwards. We would suggest you make a trip down early if you’re facing an issue with the VEP-RFID tags or opt for home delivery.
Due to delays faced by many, there are also businesses offering to help with VEP applications, with prices ranging from $25-$168. According to JPJ, these services are legal where representatives are tasked to enter vehicle information on behalf of other owners.
Companies such as Innox Group and Bizwise Management are offering these services, but note that there is a high volume of applicants so you might have to wait for a response.
With this guide in hand, you can rest assured that your next trip to JB will go smoothly without any hiccups. No one likes to be held up from their JB day trip plans or be stuck in traffic because of paperwork issues, so make sure you obtain a VEP in advance if you’re driving to Malaysia.
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