About 145,000 vehicles drive through Johor Bahru’s Customs from Singapore daily. Even though the distance of the bridge between Malaysia and Singapore is 1km, it usually takes 1 hour or more depending on the traffic conditions. Since the announcement of a valid Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) to be mandatory for all foreign vehicles, around 112,658 VEP tags have been issued, of which only 75,412 have been installed and activated. Malaysia is also set to establish more VEP centres in malls across Johor Bahur as the current centres are overwhelmed with drivers due to the high demand for VEP service and the lack of information on properly installing radio frequency identification (RFID) tags.
As demand for the VEP tags grows, the probability of fake VEP tags also increases. Scammers would charge similar prices as legible services but when drivers try to install the tag, it will not be reflected in the system.
What Is the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) System For?
The Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) is issued by the Road Transport Department Malaysia to allow foreign vehicles to enter the country. All VEP tags come with a radio frequency identification tag (RFID), also known as an identity card for payments and tracking. All road charges and toll fees on Malaysia’s expressways will be paid through the RFID tags seamlessly.
On May 28 2024, Malaysia’s Transport Ministry announced that starting from 1 October 2024, all foreign-registered vehicles must have a valid VEP or risk the possibility of being barred from entering the country. The purpose of the VEP is to facilitate traffic payments, it enables tracking of every foreign-registered vehicle that enters or leaves the country. With the tracking implemented, it allows the Malaysian government to identify any outstanding payments before allowing them to leave the country. A penalty fee of up to RM2,000 (S$608) may be imposed for non-compliance with the VEP rules. A recent update revealed that unpaid summons are shown publicly on LED boards at the CIQ checkpoint.
The VEP is only valid for five years and vehicle owners are encouraged to renew their VEP six months before the expiry date. The expiration date can be found on the online portal and the portal will also email a reminder six months in advance.
Foreign vehicles that do not have a valid VEP will result in a fine of up to RM2,000 (S$608) or a jail term of up to six months. As for now, the Malaysian government is still allowing foreign vehicles without a valid VEP to enter the country, with only issuing a warning letter. However, it is best to apply for a VEP to avoid any complications during your travels.
How To Apply for the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP)
Step 1: Register online via the Malaysia Vehicle Entry Permit website (JPJ)
Head over to the JPJ website, create an account and register your vehicle, owners and driver details for VEP registration. One of the main issues most applicants encounter is having trouble registering their chassis number or vehicle number as the car’s previous owner had already registered it.
Step 2: Deregistering the VEP registered by the previous owner on TC Sens (if applicable)
Go to the TC Sens website instead of emailing them, click on the link to request deregistration and follow the steps when submitting the information. The approval process of deregistration varies as there is no assigned timeframe.
Step 3: Download Touch N’ Go eWallet
Set up your Touch N’ Go eWallet by signing up for an account and under the “Passport Number” section, use your NRIC number instead. The reason behind this is that when submitting your vehicle application on the TC Sans website, the phone number and NRIC stated in your Touch N’ Go eWallet need to match your VEP application.
If you have used your passport number to set up your eWallet previously, these are the steps you need to do:
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Go to the Touch N’ Go eWallet
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Click on “More”, then select the “Transport” section.
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Click on the “VEP JPJ” icon, then verify and update your NRIC
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Last, click “Save” to submit the changes
Step 4: Input Your Vehicle Information
You will receive an email with a portal link when you have successfully registered for an account on the VEP website (JPJ). Once on the portal page, enter your personal information and vehicle information.
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Vehicle’s model
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Chassis numbers
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Certificate of Entitlement (COE)
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NRIC
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Passport
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Vehicle road tax documents
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Motor insurance documents (ensure your insurance policy covers Malaysia)
All these details can be found on your vehicle log card which you can retrieve from the Land Transport Authority’s OneMotoring website. For any documents that are in file format, ensure that it is not password protected as they will be rejected.
Step 5: Wait for an Email Approval
Once your VEP application has been approved, you will receive an email confirmation to collect your RFID tag.
Step 6: Collect the VEP-RFID Tag
The processing fee for the VEP-RFID tag costs RM10 and there are two options to collect the tags, either by self-collection at any of the four VEP centres or by courier to your home address.
For self-collection, the centres are at Danga Bay, Paradigm Mall, the Iskandar Puteri area around the Second Link (TBA), and Woodlands (the only VEP Singapore centre).
For home delivery, there is an additional service fee of RM30 and a delivery fee of RM15.
Install the VEP-RFID Tag in Your Vehicle
Before pasting the RFID tag, remember to ensure the surface of the area is flat and clean. You will need to install the RFID tag on the top left corner of your vehicle’s windscreen or the left side of your vehicle’s headlight and it should be at least 5cm away from any metal frame. Once the tag is installed on the vehicle, you are required to take a photo of the tag together with your car licence plate in the frame and upload the proof of installation image through the VEP portal. After submitting the image, an email will then be sent to you once the tag has been activated.
If you have trouble installing the RFID tag by yourself, you can book an appointment at one of the four VEP centres for installation assistance. If you have any enquiries regarding the VEP, call the TCSens hotline at +603-7941-2888.
Skip The Queue & Enjoy Up To 25% Off on Fuel Discounts in Singapore
Most drivers cross the border to enjoy cheaper petrol due to the significant difference in currency exchange rates. However, it may not be worth the journey.
Principally, the Singapore government has a strict regulation that all cars need to have at least ¾ of petrol before departure. If caught below the required amount, drivers will be issued a fine of up to $500 or be prosecuted in court. Well let's say you do have a sufficient amount of petrol, the traffic queues at the checkpoints in both countries are always heavy throughout the day. Idling your car for an hour can reduce your fuel consumption by 0.8-1.2 litres. Furthermore, the road tolls in Malaysia will eventually add up if you are a frequent traveller.
Although Malaysia is a bridge away from Singapore, the travel distance and time can be long and exhausting. Ultimately, factoring in the total cost including the toll fees and petrol prices in Malaysia, along with the risk of being caught by the authorities in Singapore, making the trip solely to refuel in Malaysia to not be worth it.
Petrol in Malaysia is unarguably cheaper than in Singapore, but it does not necessarily mean that the petrol prices here are exorbitant. For instance, the ample benefits of being a Lalamove Driver Partner include an exclusive fuel discount of up to 25% off at petrol stations across the islandwide, attractive servicing and maintenance discounts, joining incentives of up to $160 insurance coverage, special discounted rates for mobile phones and plans, and many more.
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