2.2 Million yet to renew driving licence

PUTRAJAYA: As many as 2.2 million out of 11.8 million driving licence holders are inactive or have not renewed their licence, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha.

The Road Transport Department (JPJ) received feedback from the motorists that they had difficulty in remembering the expiry date of their licences.

“Even those who had imbedded their driving licences particulars in their MyKad, claimed that they were unable to see their particulars to renew them,” he said.

Kong added that summons would be issued to those caught driving without valid licences, and reminded them that they were not covered by insurance.

“Those who failed to renew their licences for a three year period would have to undergo the driving competency test before they are allowed to renew them,” he said.

Kong added there was one case of a person driving without realising that his driving licence expired three years ago.

“We had also received numerous appeals from persons who had to undergo the competency part of the driving test but we had to reject them,” he said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Kong said the new initiative to renew the driving licences based on the person's date of birth was an effort to provide an effective delivery system to the people.

“We believe this will indirectly reduce the number of inactive driving licence holders,” he said.

Kong said the JPJ has been directed to formulate the systems so that the “renewal on birthdays” proposal could be implemented soon.

“This will take some time but I don't want the driving licence holders to rush to the JPJ offices to renew them immediately,” he said, adding that the renewal would be done after the expiry of the driving licences.

To a question, he said the holders of “P” licence would not be affected as it would be based on their date of birth when they get their licence.