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Convert a Foreign Driving Licence to a Malaysian CDL
Document Checklist
Borang Permohonan Lesen Memandu JPJL1
Driving License Application Form (JPJL1)
Where to get: Download from the JPJ forms page at jpj.gov.my/en/forms/
Required: One form per transaction. Applicant-category code 9 (Bukan Warganegara Malaysia / Non-Malaysian Citizen) for foreigners; transaction-type code 05 (TUKAR LESEN / Conversion); issuing-country code LLN for foreign country other than Singapore
JPJL1 instructions specify 'Use ONE form per transaction type only' (Gunakan SATU borang untuk satu jenis transaksi sahaja) — combining transactions on a single form is rejected at the counter.
Borang Permohonan Pengecualian Pemakaian Kaedah 5(3) Lampiran B-2
Application Form Exemption Application Method 5 (Appendix B-2)
Where to get: Download from the JPJ forms page at jpj.gov.my/en/forms/
Required: Required by every conversion category — Malaysian citizen, Singapore-licence holder, Diplomatic, MM2H. Same form is the published path for Employment Pass / Spouse Pass / Student Pass / Long-Term Social Visit Pass holders not enumerated in the per-category checklist
This form is itself the exemption application under Rule 5 of the Road Transport Act 1987 subsidiary regulations. Theory-test (UPP) and practical-test exemption is sought via this form — it is not automatic. JPJ does not publish a per-country reciprocity list governing automatic exemption.
Lesen Memandu Negara Luar yang masih sah dan berkuatkuasa pada hari permohonan
Foreign driving licence (valid on the day of application)
Where to get: Issuing country's licensing authority
Required: Original and copy. Must still be valid on the day of submission — not expired, suspended, or cancelled
If the licence is not from your country of origin (e.g. you held a UK licence while resident in another third country), JPJ also requires proof of presence in the licence-issuing country during the licence's validity period.
Surat Pengesahan Lesen Memandu Negara Luar daripada Kedutaan / Rekod Lesen Memandu daripada Pihak Berkuasa Pengeluar Lesen
Confirmation Letter of Driving Licence from embassy or transport authority
Where to get: Either (a) your home country's embassy in Malaysia, or (b) your home country's transport / licensing authority directly
Required: Original document. Either an embassy-issued confirmation letter OR a Driving License Record / Extract issued by the foreign transport authority is acceptable
Embassy turnaround times vary widely by country — some issue within a week, others take a month or more. The Singapore Police Force extract is valid 6 months from issuance; other countries' equivalent validity periods are not published by JPJ. All conversion documents in turn fall under the JPJ checklist's 1-year overall validity footer.
Kad Pengenalan / MyKad (Malaysian) or Passport (foreigner)
Identity document (varies by category)
Where to get: Malaysian citizens: National Registration Department (JPN). Foreigners: home-country passport authority
Required: Malaysian citizen categories submit MyKad (original and copy). Diplomatic and MM2H categories submit passport (original and copy) plus a pass / visa with at least 90 days remaining validity on the day of application
Category-specific supporting document
Where to get: Varies by applicant category — see notes
Required: MM2H category: MM2H Confirmation Letter from the Immigration Department of Malaysia. Diplomatic category: Confirmation Letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia (Wisma Putra) plus Diplomatic Identification Card. Singapore-licence Malaysian: Singapore licence original-and-copy plus an Extract Driving License from the Singapore Police Force valid within 6 months of its issue date
For Singapore-licence holders specifically: if the Singapore licence was surrendered under revocation, an additional letter from the Singapore Police Force must be presented. If the conversion to a Singapore licence was not successful and the applicant wants to recover their original Malaysian licence, an Extract of Malaysia Driving License must be presented to uplift the blacklist status.
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