Do I need to renew road tax during MCO in Malaysia ?

In view of the current total lockdown during the third round of the Movement Control Order (MCO), the Ministry of Transport (MOT) has ordered all its agencies to close their counters.

The road transport department has also announced the suspension of all JPJ transactions at Pos Malaysia counters nationwide during the FMCO period. The post offices will remain open nationwide as they are an essential service, however no JPJ business can be done during the lockdown. What does this mean about renewing road tax ? Let’s see !

Fret not! JPJ has announced some wiggle room for driving licence, road tax (LKM) or vocational license (PSV/GDL) expiring during this MCO. These documents can be renewed within 30 days after the MCO is lifted. Why? When you renew your road tax, the LKM sticker will be backdated to reflect the date of the beginning of your insurance. Like the previous MCO-related flexibility, all vehicles are allowed to operate with expired road tax BUT must possess valid insurance cover.

So, renew your insurance online, make a printout of the policy (ecovernote). You’re all set. REMEMBER to print out and keep your insurance e-cover note in the vehicle at all times. Present it to the authorities when required or you’ll be fined. It is an offence to drive with an expired insurance even during this MCO.

In Summary :

• Drivers do not need to renew their roadtax.
• Drivers NEED to renew and have an active insurance policy.
• The insurance eCover letter needs to be in the vehicle at all times.
• Drivers only need to renew their roadtax after MCO is over (within 30 days)

It depends. If you do not drive your car at all during MCO, you may choose to not renew your insurance immediately. You can wait until you need to drive again. Then buy insurance and road tax together. This will prevent you from getting backdated on your renewal dates for your insurance and road tax. Additionally, you also save money by not paying for insurance and road tax when your car is not in use.

However there is a big disadvantage and we advise not to wait too long. Not renewing for too long causes too much hassle. You may not be able to renew your insurance online if your policy is older than 30 days. You will have to walk-in to the insurance company to renew it there because the insurance company will need to confirm and verify that your car has not been into any accident during the inactive period.

In summary, yes you should renew your insurance on time to avoid hassle !

Many insurance companies do not offer online renewal when your insurance is expired. This means you cannot renew online anymore and will lose the 10% online discount.

Many insurance companies require you to take picture of your car or bring the car to a workshop before renewing your insurance. Insurance companies do this to check that the car does not have any existing damages. In the past, many people have made an accident and then only bought insurance to make a claim to the insurance company.

Read the full statement released by the Ministry of Transport in Malaysia.