The road transport department (JPJ) has announced the introduction of a new International Driving Permit (IDP) in line with the model defined for the document under the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic from 1949.
While not stated by the department in its announcement made on its Facebook page, the new IDP should be fully compliant to the requirements for the document in terms of dimensions (A6 size, 148 × 105 mm) and colour of its cover (grey).
The present IDP has a light yellow cover and is slightly larger, measuring 155 x 115 mm. While the present IDP is perfectly functional in its application as a valid document, its non-compliance in terms of actual designated size has led to it being rejected on rare occasions, such as that which happened in Japan earlier this year, when a couple of posts on Facebook highlighted that a car rental firm declined the IDP because it was larger than what was stated in its company rules.
Our work has of course necessitated the use of the IDP on many occasions over the years, and we have not encountered any issue with the document when asked to show or submit it for verification. Nonetheless, having a now fully-compliant IDP to defined standards means that there should no longer be any issues concerning its adherence to rules, or acceptance by anyone.
As for the availability of the new IDP, the department said in its post that it will be made when stock of the present IDP runs out. Existing IDPs with a running validity (one year from the date of issue) can still be used, and is recognised for what it is. The price of the IDP itself remains unchanged, at RM150.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Actually, I’ve been renting and driving cars in USA, UK and even Iceland without being asked for this permit. Just show your Malaysian driver’s license and it’s accepted. Anyone encountered any issue?
Our driver’s license is enough for renting cars in the US, UK, Australia, Canada and many other countries. Not so sure about our “digital driver’s license”, though..
Our digital driver’s license is not accepted in Queensland, Australia. The car rental company still require physical license instead. JPJ should continue to provide physical license to those who need it for this reason.
Can existing IDP holders request for new license that is in compliance to international standard? It is obvious continuing to use the current book is NOT OKAY as unlike this article tried to assure, it run the risk of not being recognised similar to the case in Japan. Perhaps by another poor Msian sod applying thru the same counter in Japan too. What is that poor sod gonna do, call Loke and ask him to explain to the desk staff who is simply following the rules as Japanese are well known to do?
Mana road tax structure for EV…it’s already May 2024!
Anyone ever had to use one of these? I visited the US in 2015 and wanted to rent a car so I got this done in JPJ. I malas to bring it out at the car rental and gave them my MY license, they accepted it.
Rented many times in the UK, and in Japan, never had to use an international license booklet.
Am interested in the author’s experience as per article
“Our work has of course necessitated the use of the IDP on many occasions over the years….”
Same here. Rented cars multiple times in US, Canada, UK, Australia and Europe using our drivers license. Heck, i even got stopped once for speeding by a country sheriff in Ohio, only showed our drivers license. Didn’t encounter any issue with the guy.
My funny experience. In Shanghai, they did requested for IDP, driving license, and even ask me to prove my motor vehicle insurance (idk for wtf purposes, but follow to avoid trouble). But in Taiwan, just driving license will do. Visited both countries in 2023.
Same as a Singapore COE, guess I have to bid it RM200k+ hahaha
I hope the govt wl lower the international driving licence. I understand spore is charging much cheaper than us. Kindly highlight to transport minister to respond n act on it. Tq
The official reply from Japan car rental company is that the old larger size if IDP cannot be used.
So what to do as I just got the old IDP last week?
Just rent from other rental company that others dont have any problem all these while. And keep your mouth shut.
Singapore IDP is SGD 20 which is RM 70 at 3.5 exchange rate. Malaysian IDP is double. Why?
I am comparing both designs and there is quite bit of difference in the countries listed on 1st page of both documents. Any idea what happened?