Malaysia traffic rules and self driving car rental tips

Malaysia traffic rules and self driving car rental tips | QEEQ

The complete Malaysia driving and rental guide

High-quality roads and relatively cheap fuel price make Malaysia a pleasant country for a road trip. Travelling around Malaysia is facilitated by the fact that English is widely used in important public places, such as tourist attractions, airports, railway stations and immigration checkpoints. Here is a brief driving guide aiming at easing your mind when planning a trip to Malaysia.

Speed Limit and Traffic Signs
Driving in Malaysia is on the left, as road and cars follow the British system. Highways or expressways feature frequent resting areas with gas stations and restaurants. Driving in the country’s largest cities such as Kuala Lumpur can sometimes be challenging due to the dense traffic and one-way roads.
- Speed Limit
  There are speed limits of 110 km/h on expressways, 90 km/h on state and federal roads and 60 km/h in town areas.
- Traffic Signs
  There are three major types of traffic signs in Malaysia: warning, regulatory and information signs.
  
  Warning signs are diamond-shaped and feature yellow and black colours, with a few exceptions.
  Obstacles Ahead Climbing Lane Descent Lane Caution! Hump Level Crossing Without Gate Ahead Level Crossing With Gate Ahead Caution! Accident Area Sign
  Malaysian regulatory signs are usually circular with a white background, a red border, and black pictograms, and are sometimes written in Malay.
  Stop Sign
  Stop, Children Crossing Give way/Yield No Overtaking Speed Limit
  Malaysian information signs feature a square shape with various colour backgrounds.
  Hospital Clinic Rest and Service Area Information Centre
  You may refer to this comprehensive road signs of Malaysia.
Seatbelt and Child Safety
- Seatbelt Laws
  The driver and passengers sitting in the front or rear are required by law to wear a seatbelt.
- Booster Seat Laws
  All children must wear a seat belt when travelling in Malaysia and it is against the law for a child under 4 years of age to sit in the front seat. At present, children are not required by law to be seated in a child car seat. However, this is is expected to be compulsory by 2019.
Parking, Fuel and Toll
- Parking
  Parking areas are designated zones in Malaysia. Some parking areas are municipal and others are private. It is advisable to check with your hotel to see if there is a secure parking space in cities like Kuala Lumpur.
  
  · Forbidden Parking
  
  You cannot park your car in the following spaces. Failure to do so may result in a fine:
  
  - Specified by a ‘No-Parking’ sign with a red border, blue background and a red diagonal line, indicating this is a strict no parking area
  
  - With Single and double yellow lines at the side of the road.
  
  - On areas that are tow-away and clamping zones.
  (Image from veelzijdigmaleisie.nl)
  
  · Paid Parking
  
  Municipal parkings use metres and which need to be paid with coins. Coins accepted by parking metreers are 10 cents, 20 cents and 50 cents. Some municipal car parks do not have parking metres but collect the fee manually.
  (Image from media.themalaymailonline.com)
- Fuel Prices
  The average price for Malaysia gasoline during August to November 2017 is of 2.2 Malaysian Riggit per litre, while diesel average price is at 2.35.
- Toll
  Malay has abandoned cash as payment for tolls in expressways since the 14th of August 2017, and utilized Electronic Toll Collection(ETC). Touch 'n Go is the most used electronic payment options. You can purchase the Touch 'n Go Card at relevant hubs, selected petrol stations, selected PETRONAS Stations, LRT Stations and third party agents. Alternatively, you can buy one form the Touch 'n Go Sales Counters located at highways such as PLUS, ELITE, Ampang KL Elevated Highway, Penang Bridge, Besraya, SILK, Linkedua, New Pantai Expressway, Metramac and Shapadu.
  (Image from comparehero.my)
Traffic Violation
- DUI Laws
  A driver is considered to be driving under the influence of alcohol in Malaysia if the blood alcohol level is equal to or over 0.8 grams per litre (g/l). The penalty for the offender is a fine, a court case, or sentencing with a fine and imprisonment of three months to a year depending on the severity of the offence.
- Traffic Fines
  Incorrect parking or speeding in Malaysia frequently result in a fine.
  
  The speed penalties are given according to the difference of the driven speed and the enforced speed limit. Speed limit excess from 1 to 25 km/h will result in an RM80 fine, whereas an excess from 26 to 40 km/h will lead to an RM150 fine and an excess over 40 km/h will trigger an RM300 fine.
  
  To avoid parking fine, always look for parking metres when you have found a parking spot. Fines for failing to display a ticket in a regulated parking bay or car park are issued and collected by the Municipal Council or company responsible for the parking facility. Note that your parking or speeding fines will be collected by the car hire company and debited from your credit card if you fail to pay one. You are always welcomed to contact QEEQ' 24/7 customer service for help in if you have any questions concerning this matter.
Driving Licence and Age Requirements
Foreigners on short term visit may rent a car and drive with a valid foreign driving licence in Malaysia. The licence should be a full driving licence held for at least 2 years with no major endorsement.

The minimum driving age in Malaysia is 21 years, but driving age may vary by car category. Each car hire company has its own age requirements.
Read more details

*Please be aware that rules are subject to change. QEEQ.COM will try the best to maintain the accuracy of this information.

Best car hire deals in Malaysia

Langkawi
from USD 11.37/day
Book Now
Kuala Lumpur
from USD 17.34/day
Book Now
Kota Kinabalu
from USD 24.04/day
Book Now
Johor Bahru
from USD 44.13/day
Book Now

Best rates found by QEEQ users in the last 30 days.

Frequently asked questions

Q1.What is an insurance excess？
The excess is the amount you'll only be liable for in case of damage(under Collision Damage Waiver) or theft(under Theft Protection) of the vehicle.
Information about the excess will be clearly stated in the price inclusion when you reserve a car on QEEQ.
Q2. How can I add an addtional driver?
You are advised to make a request upon your arrival at the rental counter. Additional charge per day will incur unless '1 Additional Driver Included' is stipulated on the rental.
Please note that the same licence and age requirement applys to the additonal driver. The addtional driver is supposed to present the required licence document along with the main driver at pickup.
Q3.What if I want to pick up or drop off my rental car out of office hours?
QEEQ will show you the car offers available at your chosen time on the search results.
However, pick-up or drop-off out of general opening hours may subject to an extra fee unless self-service pick-up or drop-off is available.
After you reserve a car on QEEQ, we will inform you of specific policy of the car hire company by email.
Q4. Can I take the hired car to another country or cross border?
If you want to pick up your car in one country and drop it in another, your search results will show you cars you can do that with.
If you're planning to cross any borders during your trip, bear in mind:
1. You may have to pay more.
There are often extra fees, taxes or additional cover you'll pay at the car hire counter.
2.It may not be allowed.
Depending on where you're hiring, you may not be able to take your car to another country.
Please email us if you want to take your hire car into a different country during your trip, and we'll talk you through your options.
Q5. Can I pick up my car at one location and return it at different location?
Yes. You can pick up the vehicle in one place and drop it off in another. An ‘one-way fee’ will incur. Whether it is inclued in the rental price or what additional cost may arise will be clearly stated at the time of booking on QEEQ.
Please inform the car hire company of your drop-off location when you pick up the vehicle or contact them directly during your trip. You will find a phone number on the rental agreement you signed at pickup.