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I believe if you are here long term you need to have it converted to a Malaysian licence. I think they'll only accept your international driving permit for approx 4 months.

I was stopped by police and told I need to convert it.

I have a UK driving licence and IDP and have applied for a conversion. Very helpful staff and free of charge to convert.

Not sure if they will accept an Indian one as easily as they accepted a UK one though.

I would just use your Indian IDP which I guess is valid for a year, and convert your Indian license to a Malaysian one asap. I remember owning a car and driving from 2008 until I left Malaysia in 2015 and actually only using IDP's which I renewed each year, although I always kept my UK driving license with me. In those y years I never got stopped by the police or asked to show my license.

I used my IDP for 24 years exclusively. I was stopped more than 50 times in road blocks and a few times they suggested the local license but I never did it because the IDP is perfectly valid. But, as I know, it must be a license issued under the Geneva Conference of 1948 of which Malaysia is a signer. My license came from AAA in USA as they are among the very few agencies permitted to issue them. UK has something too that is used in Malaysia though I suspect it has to with UK history in the country and therefore post-independence agreements. Someone may corect me. NOT valid are the permits issued randomly on the net, those are 100% scams. So the question is, does Malaysia permit the India IDP? This part im not sure but I would definitely try. Make sure in road blocks you have your regular license and passport to show at the same time.

@cvco

There's a thread on the Vietnam forum regarding IDPs. In the US, I believe the AAA is the only organisation able to issue a valid IDP from that country.

There appear to be .

And yes indeed, there are numerous scam operations online issuing invalid/worthless "licenses". A popular misconception is that an "Int'l Driving License" is valid. It is not an "Int'l Driving Permit" (IDP)

Noticed this topic and had to reply about a funny experience I had while living in Ipoh 25 years ago.

While taking a right turn I hit a red light. I noticed it too late and it was my own fault. Sure enough 100 meters further was a road block.

The officer asked if I knew why he stopped me? Sure, I said it was because I hit a red light. He was surprised about this immediate admittance of guilt. Anyway he hasked for my license. My (Dutch) license was in a horrific state. It was in a blue leather cover and has seen multiple times the interior of a washing machine. So instead of the beautifl pink (yes they were pink at the time) colour it was a sort of blueish. I also made some professional repairs to hold it all together with scotchtape. The office took my license and walked to the font of my car to use the headlights to admire this piece of Dutch art.

After a while he returned, handed me my license and said:" Next time stop for a red light." and I could continue.

Shortly after I applied for a Malasian license.

Malaysia Boleh.

Reminds me of an experience  had about 42 years ago when I was living in Singapore. I was racing down East Coast Parkway on my z650 and a police motorcyclist started chasing me. I didn't stop but just opened up the throttle. Finally near Marine Parade I did stop on the side of the highway. The policeman came over, thanked me for a fun chase and told me to keep my speed down. Never got a ticket or anything.

Times were different back then.

May i know where to convert IDP in Penang area?

what other documents are needed?

thank you.

@free2d

My guess is at JPJ.

This is what AI said:

To convert a foreign driving license in Penang (Malaysia), you'll need to visit a Road Transport Department (JPJ) office and submit your application along with required documents, including a valid foreign license, passport, visa/pass, and passport-sized photos. If your country has a treaty/agreement with Malaysia, you may be eligible for automatic conversion.

Detailed Steps:

Determine Eligibility: Check if your country is on the list of countries eligible for automatic conversion (e.g., Australia, Germany, etc.). If not, you'll need to follow the standard process.

Gather Documents: You'll need a valid foreign driving license, a valid passport, a visa/pass issued by the Malaysian Immigration Department, passport-sized photos, and a completed JPJ L1 application form.

Translation (if needed): If your license is not in English, you may need a certified translation.

Application: Submit your application in person at a main JPJ office (branch offices don't handle this).

Payment: There is a fee for the conversion, which can vary depending on the type of conversion you're eligible for.

Processing: The conversion process can take approximately 30 working days.

Additional Notes:

Foreigners can convert their driving licenses via the JPJ Malaysia website.

Conversion is typically for class B2 (motorcycle) and class D (car).

You'll need to surrender your domestic license to JPJ if you obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP).

If you no longer require the IDP, you can get your domestic license back.

@free2d
This is what AI said:. - @jaapk2002

AI can be useful to get an idea, but never believe results are they are often wildly inaccurate.

It has been widely reported that driving licence conversions have permanently ceased on 19 May, except for MM2H holders and diplomatic corps. If you aren't one of those, just continue to use your home country licence and IDP.