Proposal To Automatically upgrade B2 motorcycle licence to B Still Under Review - Loke

According to Transport Minister Anthony Loke, the proposal to automatically upgrade B2 motorcycle licence holders to B is still being considered, stating that the issue was still being debated within the ministry due to differing perspectives.

"A decision has not been made. Indeed, studies have been conducted, but it's still under further discussion because the class B licence is for larger motorcycles. "We (the Transport Ministry) need to assess to what extent those holding a class B2 licence are capable of handling larger motorcycles, which raises concerns from various parties," he told the media after the Ministry of Transport Allocation Ceremony at the ECM Libra Foundation Hall, SMK St Paul here, today.


He commented on the announcement made by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi last year about the plan to automatically upgrade motorcycle licences from class B2 to class B.  Zahid believed the plan was fine because class B2 motorcycle riders were accustomed to operating these kinds of vehicles.

However, a number of parties, particularly non-governmental organizations (NGOs), urged that the proposal be thoroughly investigated because it might have an impact on the nation's road safety system.

Prior to this, Mat Aris Bakar, president of the Malaysian Driving Institute Association (Pima), warned that this action might regress the nation's vehicle licensing system because it involved a rider's competency.

Adding to this, Loke emphasized the necessity of additional research prior to completion.

The minister added that the ministry's current program, which combines the theory test (KPP Test 01) for both B2 and D licences, supports students studying to become drivers.

According to him, those who had earned a motorcycle licence were no longer required to retake the theory exam in order to obtain a driver's licence. "These have been combined, making it easier for students as they don't need to redo KPP 01 for theory," he said.