JPJ Cracks Down on Illegal Vehicle Use by Foreign Drivers

Malaysian vehicle owners who allow foreigners to use their vehicles illegally will face enforcement action, the Kuala Lumpur Road Transport Department (JPJ) has warned.

Kuala Lumpur JPJ director Hamidi Adam said recent checks revealed that many vehicles driven by foreigners were still registered under Malaysian names, exposing local owners to legal responsibility.

He said investigations found that the vehicles had been sold or handed over to foreigners without completing the mandatory ownership transfer process, making the transactions invalid in the JPJ system.

Because no official transfer was recorded, Hamidi said the original owners remain fully liable under the law and will be subjected to action despite not being behind the wheel.

The issue surfaced during Operasi Pemandu Warga Asing (Pewa) on Tuesday (Jan 20), when enforcement officers detected widespread misuse involving both motorcycles and commercial vehicles.

Hamidi said JPJ will continue working with local authorities and private contractors, especially in cleaning and waste management, where foreign drivers were frequently found operating vehicles.

He stressed that there is no ban on foreigners driving in Malaysia, provided they meet immigration requirements and hold valid driving licences, adding that employers must ensure full compliance.

On enforcement trends, Hamidi said cases involving foreign drivers have declined, with 586 vehicles seized in 2024, 376 in 2025 and 58 recorded so far this month.

He attributed the drop to sustained enforcement and inter agency cooperation, but said JPJ Kuala Lumpur will continue periodic operations to address ongoing violations.

Source: The Star