MALAYSIA: Starting Nov 15, Malaysia will bar all foreign vehicles, including those from Singapore, from leaving the country if they have not obtained or activated a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP), or if they have outstanding fines that remain unpaid.
According to Channel News Asia (CNA), this move is part of Malaysia’s latest step to tighten enforcement of its VEP system, which will now be rolled out nationwide. This will therefore be extending beyond Johor to cover the entire country.
Malaysia’s Road Transport Department (JPJ) director-general Aedy Fadly Ramli was quoted by Bernama as saying that the new enforcement aims to ensure that all foreign vehicles on Malaysian roads are properly registered under the VEP system.
“Previously, our operations were confined to Johor, but they are now being expanded nationwide. Any Singapore-registered vehicle found without a VEP anywhere in Malaysia will be subject to the same enforcement action,” he said, as reported by CNA.
Fines must be settled before exiting Malaysia
Aedy explained that the new rule applies to both privately owned and company-owned vehicles that either lack a valid VEP, have an expired one, or are still pending activation.
“Fines will be imposed, and vehicle owners must settle them and complete VEP registration before departing Malaysia. This measure is intended to prevent any complications at the Malaysia-Singapore border,” he said at a press conference at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) customs, immigration and quarantine complex in Johor Bahru.
Under Section 66H(7) of the Road Transport Act 1987, it is an offence for anyone to drive a foreign-registered vehicle in Malaysia without a valid permit. Drivers can make payments for fines and complete registrations at JPJ counters, mobile JPJ units, or VEP registration counters at Danga Bay.
Since the start of VEP enforcement on Jul 1, authorities have installed over 303,000 RFID tags on privately owned vehicles and 31,000 on company vehicles. During this period, more than 55,000 vehicles were inspected, and 4,028 fines were issued to those without valid VEPs. This ended up amounting to a total of RM1.2 million (S$370,000), CNA reported.
What netizens are saying
The news has sparked lively discussion online — especially among drivers who frequently cross the Causeway. One Facebook user commented, “This is quite stupid. Why go in without VEP?” highlighting the lack of understanding among some drivers about the registration process.
Another joked, “Now I can drive within Malaysia forever,” poking fun at the rule’s unintended loophole if one chooses never to leave. This was typical of netizens who wish to make light of a serious situation, as one does in social media.
But others were more measured in their responses. “They have every right to enforce their laws, and so can we. We have no right to hate them for enforcing their laws in their own country,” wrote one netizen, reminding fellow Singaporeans that similar border regulations exist both ways.
These mixed reactions show that people can express frustration, but remain pragmatic at the same time; some worry about the added red tape, while others acknowledge that Malaysia is well within its rights to tighten control over foreign vehicles.
Why this matters for Singaporeans
For many Singaporeans, especially those who drive across the Causeway for weekend trips or business, this rule is a actually big deal. It means that forgetting to register for a VEP or activate your RFID tag could now result in your car being stuck in Malaysia until you’ve sorted out the paperwork and paid any fines.
The move also shows that Malaysia is starting to put more emphasis on road accountability and cross-border compliance. Ultimately, this is something that may affect thousands of Singaporean drivers who cross the border daily for work, shopping, or leisure.
While the new policy might feel like a hassle at first, keeping roads safer and more transparent remains a priority. These policy shifts help ensure that vehicles entering Malaysia are properly documented and tracked.
So, if you’re planning a drive across the Causeway anytime after Nov 15, it’s probably best to double-check your VEP status so that you may avoid any surprises when it’s time to head home. Better to be safe than sorry.
