Anthony Loke: JPJ has ways to enforce serious traffic violations despite 10-year driving licence renewal policy
KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 — Anthony Loke today said that the Road Transport Department (JPJ) has methods and systems to keep motorists, whose driving licence has been suspended due to serious traffic violations, off the road.
The Star reported the transport minister as saying that even if such motorists have renewed their licence for 10 years, JPJ will identify them as offenders and prohibit them from driving as per the court’s decision.
“The JPJ will know who these offenders are, as most of the department’s applications have been digitalised.
“So, there is no such thing as motorists who have accumulated traffic summons for example, being able to get away if he or she has renewed their licence for 10 years as allowed under a new policy from today.
“The JPJ has many methods to ensure those convicted (in courts) will not be allowed to drive,” he was quoted as saying by the news portal when met after renewing his driving licence for 10 years at the Seremban JPJ office.
Loke was commenting on concerns that the government’s decision to allow drivers to renew their licence for up to 10 years would make it difficult to suspend those who violate traffic laws or commit serious traffic offences.
He also said that the number of individuals who would benefit from the new 10-year policy far exceeded the number of serious traffic offenders.
“So, we cannot say we should not have a policy to allow motorists to renew their licence for up to 10 years just because there are some who commit serious traffic violations,” he was quoted as saying.
Last week, a new policy was introduced allowing Malaysians to renew their driving licence for up to 10 years following public feedback compared to the previous limit of five years.
According to The Star, he said the maximum renewal period of 10 years comes with a special rate of RM270, which is a discount of RM30, as the regular fee for each year is RM300.
“In fact, I met many people at the Seremban JPJ this morning who had come to renew their licence for 10 years.
“This is a win-win situation as its revenue for the government and the people would not have to worry about renewing their license for a few more years,” he was quoted as saying.
He said that Pos Malaysia would soon update its system to enable motorists to renew their driving licence for up to 10 years at post offices nationwide.
He added that Pos Malaysia’s system will be integrated with JPJ’s system and motorists can renew their licence through JPJ’s kiosks or online system, without the need to be physically present.
“If they do so online, then they will get a digital version,” he was quoted as saying.
Loke also said that individuals who have allowed their driving licence to expire since 2018 would be able to renew them for up to 10 years.
Last week, he said the government recognised that some Malaysians might not have been able to renew their licence due to the Covid-19 pandemic or because they reside abroad.
However, this special dispensation will only be available until December of this year.
According to JPJ rules, individuals who do not renew their driving licence for over three years will be required to reapply for one.
