How To Get A Malaysian International Driving License WHEN ABROAD

-

This was how I (1) got an International Driving Permit (Permit Memandu Antarabangsa/IDP), and (2) renewed my Competent Driving License (Lesen Memandu Kompeten/CDL), from NYC. No, you don't need to return to Malaysia. Yes, you can do the same from anywhere in the world! All you skeptics out there can can call JPJ to confirm, the proper term to use is "memohon permit memandu antarabangsa DENGAN WAKIL".

In 2018, I called the Consulate General of Malaysia in NYC & was informed that they did not provide services related to driving permits/licenses. This might be similar in other consulate generals/embassies. They mostly help with legal issues or passports matters.

Here's how I did it:

In 2018, I called JPJ to make sure that all of this was possible. It worked for me & it should work for you.
  1. Find someone you can trust in Malaysia who's willing to help you out. They'll need to make their way the nearest JPJ (Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan) or AAM (Automobile Association of Malaysia/Persatuan Automobil Malaysia). Shouldn't take them more than 2 hours to get this done.
  2. Download & fill the necessary forms.
    For IDPs, you'll need to download & fill Borang Permohonan Lesen Memandu (JPJ L1). In "Jenis Permohonan", make sure to enter "04" (for Permit Memandu Antarabangsa).
    For CDL renewals, you don't need a form.
  3. Mail all the necessary forms & documents to your trusted runner in Malaysia. I wasn't in a hurry so I used the cheapest letter mailing option & it worked. Caution: DO NOT mail any cash!
    For IDPs, you'll need (1) a completed JPJ L1, (2) a CDL that won't expire for at least 1 year, and (3) a passport photo.
    For CDL renewals, you'll need (1) the original CDL that you want renewed, and (2) a passport photo for them to scan.
    JPJ made it so easy. No surat pengesahan wakil from you or your original identification documents necessary!
  4. You will need to figure out a way to reimburse your runner for the IDP (RM150/year) & CDL renewal (RM30/year) fees.
  5. Wait for your letter to arrive in Malaysia, your friend to get it done, mailed, & your documents to arrive in your mailbox! Easy!

FAQs:

  • Check your license expiry date here.
  • If you're license has already expired, you usually have a grace period before you have to retake the entire driving test.
    P License: 1 year grace
    CDL: 3 years grace
  • If you're license has expired beyond the grace period, you can appeal. If your appeal is successful, you don't need to take the law test (Bahagian I: Ujian undang-sndang). However, you will still need to take the 2 practical tests (Bahagian II: Ujian mendaki bukit dan ujian meletak kenderaan. Bahagian III: Ujian memandu di jalan raya).

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions!

Popular posts from this blog

What To Do When Your Unifi Service Suddenly Drops

-
Image
After finally putting my kid to sleep, I was about to settle into the couch with my wife & stream a movie, when my Unifi fiber optic internet connection suddenly dropped. When it didn't come back after 1 hour, I realized that I had to do something. Considering that I pay my bills promptly every month, it must be a technical issue. Here's what I did to fix the problem. It look me less than 20 minutes. 1. First, I checked my modem (the white machine). I checked the lights on the modem. When the modem is functioning properly, lights will be on for POWER, PON, LAN1 & TEL1. If the red light for LOS lights up, call 100 to resolve the issue. Also, I made sure that all the wire connections were tight. 2. Next, I checked my router (the black machine). Again, I checked the lights. When the router is functioning properly, lights will be on for POWER, GLOBE, WIFI, LAN1. My POWER light was blinking, so that means that there was no internet connection. Again, I made sure th...
Open Full Post »

Understanding The New SPM (2021) English 1119 Paper Format

-
Image
This outline & those of other SPM language papers were made publicly available on the Lembaga Peperiksaan Malaysia (LPM) website . I'm sure you've seen the above being circulated on the internet. But, what does it mean? How does this paper compare to the current SPM paper for English? Do we have to change our testing practices in Form 4? At this moment, information is sparse despite great public interest. As the head of the English panel at my school, my Form 4 colleagues will come to me for what to do & parents will ask me what this is about. Until we have very specific instructions from the ministry, this is what I will be telling my colleagues & parents based on the limited amount of information available to me from my intimate experience with the current SPM paper & second-hand information about the PT3 English paper. Let me know if I got anything wrong or if you have more detailed information.
Open Full Post »

How To Fix Logitech Options Not Loading

-
Image
I use a Logitech K380 bluetooth keyboard at home & love it to bits. Very quiet & the tactile response is just perfect. Also, it's super small so easy to put away when I need to pile exam papers on my desk. Still, there's one small problem though... It is a compact keyboard so the multimedia buttons double as function keys. I use the function keys A LOT & it's really cumbersome for me to have to hold the "fn" button every time I want to use them. I.e., try pressing alt+fn+f4 with one hand. Thankfully, with the Logitech Options software, I can default to the function keys. A few months ago, I was chagrined to learn that my keyboard had spontaneously returned to factory settings. "No problem", I thought. "I'll just change the settings in Logitech Options." Only to find that the app wouldn't load on my Windows 10 machine, resulting in the blank window you see screen-captured above. "Let me try reinstalling." Uni...
Open Full Post »

Exotic Fruit: Buah Isu

-
Image
I've been teaching in the Iban motherland for more than 1 year now & I have tasted many exotic fruits exclusively available only within these quiet secluded timber forests. Now, don't you smirk at me! You perverted baskets I call friends are thinking about a different 'fruit'! There are no innuendos here. The exotic fruits that I'm talking about are REAL fruits. First, let me introduce you to the cousin of the king of fruits... Buah Isu Buah Isu resembles it's cousin, the Durian , but I was told that it is NOT in the Durian family. The spikes are longer & they are sharper. They are also very much smaller than the Durians. It's about the size of a man's palm. It has a pleasantly sweet fragrance which is not pungent like the Durian's. Because of it's size, it is easily opened with a cleaver. After opening my first Isu, I couldn't help but bounce off the walls in gay laughter. It was all too amusing to me! I though...
Open Full Post »

Tip SPM Dari Pelajar-Pelajar Cemerlang Straight A+

-
Image
This morning, I attended Kapten Talk 2.0: Student Edition. After feeding my baby & tucking him in for his late morning nap, I finally had time to look at my messages. Lo' & behold, a friend sent me a poster about a webinar by straight-A+ students. Interesting! I sheepishly looked at the date, what? TODAY! Heart racing, I quickly glanced at the time, 11 PG. Oh, petang. Wait a minute, MANA ADA 11 PETANG? PAGI LA BODO! My eyes darted to the upper right corner of the screen. 10.45AM! I quickly forwarded the poster + some ulasan to ALL my students' groups as well as to my school staff's chatgroup on WhatsApp. Feeling bad that I gave them so little notice, I knew I had to attend, take notes & share those notes with my students. Since I'm doing that, I might as well share it with everyone. The notes are written in my broken BM to include my lowest-performing students. "How much you achieve is how much you prepare" - Luqman Nawar, 9A+
Open Full Post »