The Road Transport Department yesterday (21 May) unveiled a new physical driving license with enhanced security features and an updated design, which will be distributed in phases nationwide.
However, the physical driving license is only available for two categories of applicants, namely Malaysian citizens who are travelling abroad and non-citizens renewing their driving licenses.
JPJ unveils new physical driving license with enhanced security features and an updated design
In a statement, JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly bin Ramli elaborated that the latest illustration design of the physical driving license is capable of preventing tampering and forgery. The physical card can also last for up to 10 years.
In terms of design, the new physical driving license sports a background image of the Sultan Abdul Samad building and an abstract wave motif on the front. At the rear, it sports a background image of the Istana Negara and a floral abstract motif.
Only Malaysians going abroad and foreigners renewing their licenses can apply for the new physical driving license
Aedy added that currently, the physical driving license is only available for Malaysian citizens going abroad and non-citizens renewing their driving licenses.
Moreover, the printing of the physical driving license has already taken place in stages at certain JPJ branches. This allows time for the transition period from the previous version of the physical card to the latest version.
Besides that, the JPJ director-general was quoted by BERNAMA as saying that ordinary applicants who renewed their licenses would only receive the digital version of the license on the MyJPJ app.
He noted that the reason why Malaysians going abroad are allowed to apply for the physical driving license is because not all countries accept the digital version of the driving license.
Aedy asserted,
“We are aware that not all countries accept the MyJPJ app—Singapore has accepted it, but some other countries still do not accept digital driving licences.
“Therefore, travellers need to bring their physical driving licence along with the International Driving Permit (IDP), which can be applied for at JPJ, since each country has its own regulations,”
So, what do you guys think of the new physical driving license? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Also read: JPJ: From 19 May, Foreigners Must Undergo Same Procedures as Malaysians to Get Driving License
