A Malaysian driver was fined 1,000 baht (RM123) after failing to produce a physical driving licence during a traffic stop in Hat Yai, Thailand. A Thai traffic police spokesperson said the woman was driving a Malaysian-registered vehicle when she was stopped by an officer on duty in the southern Thai city, reports The New Straits Times.
During the inspection, she presented the digital version of her Malaysian driving licence in the MyJPJ app, explaining she recently renewed her licence and became accustomed to using the digital format, which is accepted in Malaysia. However, the officer informed her Thai police only recognise a physical Malaysian driving licence for Malaysian citizens, or an International Driving Permit (IDP) for foreign motorists.
As she was unable to produce either document, she was issued a 1,000-baht fine for failing to produce a valid driving licence. The spokesperson noted while many Malaysians travelling to Thailand remembered to bring their passports, vehicle documents, Thai SIM cards and currency, some overlooked carrying their physical driving licences.
The Malaysian Transport Ministry has previously reminded motorists that while the MyJPJ digital driving licence is accepted domestically, those driving overseas must carry a physical driving licence or a valid IDP where required. A physical Malaysian driving licence can be obtained for RM20, while the fee for foreign nationals is RM150.
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just stay in malaysia. why do you want to drive in thailand ? malaysia gives you budi95 cheap petrol , cheap diesel, plus a prayer room in every office/mall/petrol station.
Pekat gile babeh bodoh ko ni. Xde air langsung. Simpan sikit bodoh tu utk cucu cicit cirit birit ko…
Malaysia in fact is very advanced in this area. Digital drivers license! All in the name of saving cost and make 100% profit from the renewal fees
Digital drivers license – a solution nobody asked for, creating problems that the government doesn’t bother solving. Onus is on the rakyat. Gomen lepas tangan saja.
nak melawat negara orang kena ada ilmu, tiada ilmu tangung jelah
malaysians are becoming like americans? – no common sense. when you leave home and visit another place, dont bring your expectations and enforce it onto others. your entitlement enjoyed locally, dont apply elsewhere in the world.
in the mean time, physical card in malaysia still out of stock?
Physical card only can request at JPJ counter. I just apply on 12th July 2026. JPJ will charge RM20 for physical card. For those plan driving in Thailand better get one for safeguard.
My personal opinion, digital license is good because we not really need to shown our driving license everyday unless for those e-hailing or delivery guy. Why need to carry so many card in wallet instead just of digital version. Those complaint on digital license, why you use digital wallet (E-wallet) as payment instead of carry hard cash move around and make payment. Don’t simply complaint without thinking.