Car Travel in Malaysia

Driving in Malaysia

1st Jan 2009 New Seat Belt Law - PLEASE READ!

Car travel gives you freedom to go where you want when you want, but it has disadvantages too: expense, and sometimes having to drive when the public transport is way more convenient.

Will you be able to drive in Malaysia? If you’re an experienced, confident driver who can drive on the left-hand side of the road (same as Britain and Australia) and are willing to adapt to a foreign country’s driving habits, then you’ll probably enjoy the freedom of driving in Malaysia. Here are some tips on driving a car in Malaysia, and commonly used words on Malaysia road signs.

A car is useful mostly for touring a specific region. For long-distance travel, public transport is usually more comfortable and cheaper. In other words, don’t plan to drive from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru; fly, or ride the bus to get there, and then rent a car in Johor Bahru to tour the region. Do the same if you’re going to Melaka, Penang or any of the other states!

Unless your driver’s license is from some exotic place, it will normally be accepted in Malaysia. If in doubt, get an International Driving Permit through your local auto club.

More on car rental.