Driving Permit for Malaysia
Driving in Malaysia? An IDP is required if your licence is not in English, and recommended for all visitors. Malaysia drives on the left and recognises the IDP under the 1949 UN convention.
- Drive on
- Left
- Convention
- 1949 Geneva
- IDP validity
- 90 days
- Processing time
- 24 hours
Do you need an IDP to drive in Malaysia?
Malaysia drives on the left, and foreign visitors can legally get behind the wheel on a valid home-country driving license for short stays. Whether you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside it comes down largely to the language on your license. Under Malaysia's Road Transport Act 1987, a foreign license is accepted as long as it is valid and in English (or Malay); if it is written in any other language or script, it must be supported by an official English translation. An IDP provides exactly that translation, which is why driving in Malaysia with an IDP is one of the simplest and most widely accepted routes for international drivers.
Malaysia recognises the IDP issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. If your national license is not in English, an IDP is effectively required to drive legally and to satisfy police at roadblocks and checkpoints. Nationals of ASEAN member states are a notable exception and may generally drive on their national license alone for short visits under the 1985 ASEAN agreement on the recognition of domestic driving licences. An IDP never replaces your home license, it only translates it, so you should always carry both the IDP and your original national license together while driving.
On the ground, the IDP matters most at the car rental desk. Rental companies in Malaysia commonly ask non-ASEAN drivers, and anyone whose license is not in English, to present an IDP together with their national license, passport and a payment card for the deposit. Tourists can generally use a foreign license for the duration of a standard social visit pass, which is often up to around 90 days. If you plan to drive during your trip, carrying an IDP alongside your English or translated license is the safest way to avoid problems at rental counters and police stops.
Malaysia recognises the IDP under the 1949 Geneva Convention.
Malaysia is a signatory to the 1949 Geneva Convention. In practice, an IDP issued by another signatory country is recognised for your permitted visitor stay — in Malaysia, plan on 90 days.
What you need to drive in Malaysia
Have these ready before you pick up the keys.
Home license (Latin characters).
IDP recommended.
Malaysia drives on the left-hand side of the road, so vehicles are right-hand drive.
Malaysia recognises the International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic.
Under the Road Transport Act 1987, a foreign license is accepted if it is in English or Malay; a license in another language requires an official English translation, which an IDP provides.
An IDP does not replace your national driving license; you should carry both documents together while driving.
Nationals of ASEAN member states may generally drive on their national license without an IDP for short stays, under the 1985 ASEAN agreement on the recognition of domestic driving licences.
Tourists can typically use a valid foreign license for the length of a standard social visit pass, often up to around 90 days.
What to know before you turn the key
Malaysia drives on the left — the driver sits on the right, and roundabouts flow clockwise.
Carry your IDP and your original license together — rental desks and police checks will ask for both documents.
Drive on LEFT.
Drink-driving is a serious offence in Malaysia and carries heavy penalties including large fines and possible imprisonment, so avoid alcohol entirely before driving.
Local rules to watch in Malaysia
Low-emission zones, tolls, and city-specific rules that catch visiting drivers out.
Malaysian expressways and city routes use an electronic toll network (Touch 'n Go / RFID); many rental cars are fitted with a toll device, so confirm toll arrangements with your rental company.
Signs you'll meet on the road
Eight internationally recognised signs — including which side of the road Malaysia keeps.
Common questions about driving in Malaysia
Drive Malaysia, confidently.
Apply online in minutes and get instant digital access to your IDP translation — with an IDP PVC card option if you want one in your wallet.